The Jobcenter in the district of Saarlouis initiated this art project for young women with and without a migration background last year in cooperation with the "Atelier Mike Mathes". Fittingly, it ended on International Women's Day.
As part of four three-day workshops, young women had the opportunity to express their wishes and thoughts about their future paths through brush and paint and to exchange ideas. The organizers' goal was to motivate them to approach their (professional) future openly and creatively.
And not only impressive and unique works of art emerged, which could be admired at the "Startbahn 25". Rather, the biographies of some participants also changed very positively during this time: Of the 24 young women, many have now started or are about to start an apprenticeship or internship in the near future. A particular highlight of the closing event was the testimonial of a courageous young woman who dared to start her own business. Project participant Jana Mahmoud (19), now head of her own cosmetics studio, appealed to the guests with heartfelt words to pursue their own dreams and not let setbacks paralyze them.
On this somewhat different path to shaping the future, the participants were accompanied for an entire year by Martina Coniglio, Officer for Equal Opportunities in the Labor Market at the Jobcenter in the Saarlouis district, and the Saarlouis artist Mike Mathes. They drew a very positive conclusion from the art exhibition and reported inspiring and memorable experiences during the workshops. The head of the Saarlouis Jobcenter, Mark Brommenschenkel, also emphasized: “The art was a wonderful 'door opener' to introduce the young women to new perspectives in a completely different way. I am very proud of the result.”
