They campaign for Zug’s homeless

They’re back again: the dreary days when the night doesn’t seem to want to end, or comes too early. To make matters worse, the temperatures barely rise above zero degrees Celsius. Being homeless during this time mutates into a question of survival. Many people in Zug think that such people do not exist in the canton, because they’re nowhere to be seen. This is a fallacy, however, as the Bernhard Tobler from Baar knows. This topic has kept him busy in the recent past.

The former pharmacist founded the “A bed for the homeless” association (Ein Bett für Obdachlose) just over two years ago. He created the association together with Sepp Herger and Astrid Tremp as a concept for a competition organised by the Zug Cantonal Bank on its 125^th anniversary. Tobler's idea was considered worthy of support by the jury of the Zug Bank. How valuable the work of the association is has become clear in the meantime.

The association has secured two rented apartments in the municipality of Baar, in which five homeless people can temporarily live. An experienced social worker, who looks after the residents and thereby carries out the operational tasks of the association, ensures that nothing gets out of control in these apartments, says Tobler, together with a "woman who used to live on the street". She takes care of the cleaning work in the two apartments. Thanks to her past experiences, she has a certain drive, and, if necessary, can show the other residents the limits of what is permitted. The association is very grateful for their work, adds Tobler.

The initiator proudly adds that: "We were able to accommodate and care for a total of nine persons over the longer term in the years 2018 and 2019." He was also pleased that two residents have now left the temporary home. They are not living on the street again, but have found part-time employment and have joined another flat-sharing community. But the work in this difficult matter also brings setbacks. The club founder speaks plain text here: "We have sometimes had to send somone away." But Tobler does not like to talk about this, as he prefers to look ahead. The homeless people project could still expand. Bernhard Tobler adds: "We are still looking for affordable living space for six people."

In order to reintegrate the homeless into society, a roof over their head is a first measure, and must be followed by others. It helps that the inner core of the association has managed to get more partner organisations on board, such as the Zug drug forum (Drogenforum Zug) and the Reformed Church of the Canton of Zug, whose representative on the board is Klaus Hengstler. He says: "The activities of the association are independent of the Reformed Church, but they are supported by it. We would, of course, be very pleased if our commitment should focus more attention on this subject", says Hengstler. Both Klaus Hengstler are Bernhard Tobler are enthusiastic about the project. They emphasize that it is also very important to be able to rely on a network.

Klaus Hengstler from the Reformed Church (left) and Bernhard Tobler discuss the project.

The two campaigners for people in Zug who have no roof over their heads have also made representations to the authorities responsible for these people. They do this because, according to Tobler, there is no "homeless" status in the law. These efforts have been crowned with success here and there, but there is still a lot to do at this stage. In the course of the various activities of the "A bed for the homeless" association, there is a change of president within the organisation. Klaus Hengstler, the secretary of the Reformed Church in Zug, has taken over the presidium.

The two campaigners for the disadvantaged want to open up another area in the coming year. Klaus Hengstler says: "We are convinced that the tasks that we currently carry out as a private organisation should be carried out by the public sector." They have set themselves the goal of concluding a service agreement with the canton or the municipalities of Zug within the next three years. This could secure the financing of the project in the longer term. To reach this landmark, the two men also want to talk to local and cantonal politicians.

The homeless may not be visible in the Canton of Zug, but they exist, and they too have the human right to live a worthy life while observing certain social rules. They have now received important backing from the initiators Bernhard Tobler and Klaus Hengstler.