For this article I conducted interviews with volunteer worker Dresmann and facility director Rössert. It is the first of a four part series about open positions for a gap year of social service. It was published in the local newspapers TZ and Hallo München in Munich, Germany. The original in German can be accessed as a PDF.

09/20/2025

Rethinking Her Future

“The best moments were during outings with the group,” says volunteer Lara Dresmann. The 19-year-old chose the Federal Volunteer Service (BFD) and has “gained some new experiences” that “will help her for the rest of her life.” According to the Youth Information Center (JIZ) of the Munich District Youth Council, there is an unusually large number of empty spots for volunteer work in the social and environmental fields this year. ‘Hallo’ spoke with young people who are already active. This time with Lara Dresmann, who volunteers at the “Haus an der Teutoburger Straße” in Haidhausen, a transitional facility for people with mental illness. The Karlsfeld resident earns 630 euros in pocket money per month during her BFD service. 

Originally, her plan was to study something theoretical later on, like Ancient Greek or philosophy. However, through her work at a social services facility, she realized: “I couldn’t just sit there, translating texts in the future. The social aspect is really important to me.” The social-psychiatric center has several floors of assisted living for adults. On the right side of the hallway are small apartments that look ordinary from the outside; on the left are consultation rooms and common areas. Art therapy, where the 19-year-old primarily works, is just one of the many support services available. “80 percent of the clients come directly from the hospital,” explains facility director Aida Rössert. They have to be gently reintegrated into life. Many clients face multiple challenges at once and have a variety of diagnoses. 

At the transitional facility, they receive support in finding therapy spots and are offered assistance. Some participants are in full-time care, others come only in the evenings and on weekends, and some only attend occupational therapy sessions. Dresmann’s volunteer service seems to have been a win-win situation: she would like to continue working there as a receptionist. “I’m really glad it’s not over yet. It would have been a difficult goodbye.” She also recommends the BFD to people who hadn’t previously planned to go into the social sector. 

Maja Dauser

A woman with glasses and long hair smiling at the camera, standing next to a white shelf with labeled bins filled with colored pencils. The room has artwork on the wall, including paintings and drawings of cats, an iron, a plant, and a wooden mirror leaning against the wall.
A young woman with long brown hair and glasses is sitting at a wooden table, writing on a sheet of paper with a pen. There are office supplies, including green tape, scissors, and a thermos, on the table. In the background, there is an office desk with a computer, phone, and various papers, as well as a whiteboard on the wall and a kitchen area with a sink, soap, and a towel.
A woman with dark hair, glasses, and a patterned blouse is sitting at a desk in an office, talking on the phone, with a computer monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse in front of her. Behind her are white lockers, open shelves with various items, and some window showing trees outside.

Volunteer worker Lara Dresmann at her workplace in Munich. Photos: Maja Dauser

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