The Zug Kontakt Café - not just for refugees

The Kontakt Café on the premises of the parish centre of St. Michael in Zug is enjoying increasing popularity. It was launched by volunteers three and a half years ago to enable refugees to meet locals.

According to the cantonal Directorate of the Interior, the idea for a contact café came about three and a half years ago, when the canton decided to temporarily use the Salesianum on the Artherstrasse for asylum accommodation, in addition to the old cantonal hospital. It was guided by a group of volunteers who wanted to contribute towards the integration of migrants. The prejudices of the Zug population against refugees could also be reduced through setting up places where meetings could take place. Visitors can receive on-site support when they don’t understand (official) documents, or don’t know how to react to them. The Parish of St. Michael agreed to make the premises available free of charge.

Marlise Stampfli (second from left), Erika Weber (fourth from left), Astrid Epp (fourth from right) and Rita Hegglin (third from right) are happy to welcome guests to the Kontakt Café of the St. Michael parish centre in Zug.

The Social Services Asylum Department (SDA) of the Cantonal Social Office has long been able to count on the voluntary commitment of the population of Zug. This takes place in a variety of ways in the communities. "The Kontakt Café in the St. Michael parish centre shows that integration doesn’t have to be expensive, but can be wonderfully successful on a small scale," says Astrid Epp from the Asylum Department of Social Services in the media release. Erika Weber, Rita Hegglin and Marlise Stampfli from the volunteer team emphasize that the café is basically open to anyone who want to meet new people, including retirees or young families. Consumption in the café is provided free of charge.

Note: The Kontakt Café is open every Thursday, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (except during school holidays), in the St. Michael Parish Centre, Kirchenstrasse 17, Zug (1st floor)