On May 19, the 30th anniversary of the Adventist-run Noah's Ark Family Center (FAN) took place in Penzberg. Representatives from politics and science as well as parents, cooperation partners, and alumni came. The FAN considers itself to be a professional companion for families - from birth to growth and development of the children. It combines various support services for families under one roof.
Annelies Plep, founder and overall director of the institution, pointed out that the basic idea was a holistic education based on Christian values, so that one's own and other children could grow up healthy in body, soul and spirit. This vision was first realized in 1989 with ten children, between the ages of 3 and 6, in their private living room. Together with the parents, they thought about good pedagogy, sensible toys, and nature-related activities. Increasingly more parents wanted to participate.
From idea to implementation
The idea of founding a kindergarten followed but was initially rejected by the scepticism of the authorities and the lack of public funding. The plan, therefore, maintained the children's group along with regular parents' evenings, lectures and creative courses. One subsidiary group in Benediktbeuern was founded. New projects were created. In 1998, it was recognised as a family centre by the Ministry of Social Affairs. Since then it has been called FAN. Four years later, a single-group kindergarten was opened. The concept of parent-child accompaniment (FenKid) was also introduced at the same time. Counselling and therapy opportunities by trained therapists completed the offer. Through the years, they also developed contacts at the university in Benediktbeuren, which has consistently accompanied the family center and sends students to the applied course of the semester. Eight bachelor theses have already been written about the FAN.
Further projects
Another initiative is the student project "Pack's an!”: It aims to help pupils with school difficulties and is led by Petra Zott-Endres, a qualified pedagogue and mediator. She and Melinda Veres also initiated the PASSGENAU vocational orientation project. It’s goal is to help to create a way through the jungle of orientation to occupation. Additional offers include Berufscafé, a biography workshop, on-line consulting hour, consulting and Coachtermine and a set of Workshops, in which young people can find out their strengths.
Ceremony: 30 years of FAN
In two rounds of talks - moderated loosely and competently by Prof. Egon Endres - pedagogues, parents and alumni – and later, state and local politicians – emphasized the value and importance of the family centre. The same goes for the tireless and honorary commitment of the founder and director, Annelies Plep, and her team. It also became clear, however, that "regular financing would be required for such a broadly based and varied programme," said Lothar Scheel, managing chairman of the supporting association, Advent-Wohlfahrtswerk (AWW). The family centre is still partly dependent on donations. The ceremony was musically framed by the Christian pop singer and curative teacher, Gloria Gabriel.
The family centre today
With 23 permanent employees, two kindergarten groups, thirteen different options in the areas of education, upbringing, care, counselling, therapy, creative activities, and as a "social meeting point", the Arche Noah Family Centre is a permanent fixture in the city of Penzberg. It is supported by the Advent-Wohlfahrtswerk (AWW), the social welfare organ of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The daily vegetarian lunch, which is prepared together with the children, is also part of the concept. For further information: www.familienzentrum-arche-noah.de
