Did you know the BBW Berufsbildungswerk Leipzig has been changing lives since 1991? This is no ordinary place. It is a hub for education and inclusion. The BBW Leipzig group helps people with special needs find their place in the working world.
BBW Berufsbildungswerk Leipzig started in Leipzig’s Reudnitz district. The founders soon planned a new building. They wanted to replicate the Berufsbildungswerk Winnenden. In 1994, construction began in Knauthain. This new site covered 11.5 hectares. It became the BBW Leipzig group’s main location. Internatshäuser, training workshops, and a garden were built. A recreation center with a meditation room was included. There was also a dining hall and sports facilities. An administration building housed a school plus a diagnostics and counseling center. August 1997 marked a new chapter for the BBW Berufsbildungswerk Leipzig.
The BBW Leipzig group is more than just its history. It is a collection of social enterprises. These businesses focus on education and employment. They also emphasize placement and inclusion. They support individuals with various needs. The Berufsbildungswerk Leipzig for the hearing and speech impaired is central. It was founded in 1991. The city of Leipzig and other organizations are partners. Together, they run various operations. These include day care centers and youth services. They also manage schools, workshops, and inclusive businesses. As part of the Diakonie network, the BBW Leipzig group upholds diaconal values.
In 2006, the BBW Leipzig group began awarding the Brückenschlag integration prize. This annual award honors those promoting inclusion. It recognizes companies and projects integrating people with disabilities. The 2023 Brückenschlag prize went to the University Hospital Leipzig. It recognized their phoniatrics and audiology section. This celebrated their long-standing partnership with the BBW Berufsbildungswerk Leipzig.
The BBW Leipzig group has grown over the years. It now includes Diakonische Unternehmensdienste. This inclusive company employs many people with disabilities. They work in building services and catering. They are also active in digitization and media design.
In 2012, the BBW Leipzig group acquired the Philippuskirche. This led to Leipzig’s first inclusion hotel. The Philippus Leipzig opened in January 2018. The church itself reopened in May 2019. It now hosts religious and cultural events.
The BBW Leipzig group continues to evolve. It adapts to meet the needs of the community. Its focus remains on empowering individuals. It helps them achieve their full potential. The BBW Berufsbildungswerk Leipzig is a testament to what can be achieved with dedication. It shows what can be done with a commitment to inclusion.