Social Counseling and Assistance

It is especially important that immigrants receive good counseling and assistance in their first years. For that reason, all of the counseling services in the city should be accessible and familiar to immigrants.

In Dresden, there are four specialized migration counseling centers, which are aimed at immigrants older than 27. The advisors determine the need for assistance and support in integrating. If needed, they work also in integration courses. For people younger than 27, there is the Youth Migration Service.

In Dresden, there is a diverse array of initiatives and associations, which are concerned with the support of immigrants on full-time or volunteer basis. Among these are the advising centers of the Ausländerrat Dresden association and the Dresden Association for Social Integration of Foreign Residents, e.V. They assist with administrative procedures, doctor’s appointments or help with official letters. Many immigrants have also formed their own associations and initiatives and help one other.

The main professional assistance for asylum seekers is provided by different organizations. Each social worker is currently responsible for 100 asylum seekers. In Dresden, many people volunteer to help asylum seekers.

By 2020, the Dresden city administration should take the following steps:

•  Better inform immigrants about the diverse assistance and support Services

• Expansion and improvement of cooperation of the city administration with the associations and initiatives as well as the migration information centers and Youth Migration Service