Union Sozialer Einrichtungen

Union Sozialer Einrichtungen gGmbH (USE) is a non-profit limited liability company based in Berlin, Germany, dedicated to vocational rehabilitation and inclusive employment for people with disabilities, with a particular focus on those with mental health conditions. Founded in 1995, USE has grown into a substantial social enterprise with around 420 employees and over 1,400 people with disabilities participating in its various programmes and projects. It operates as part of the Unionhilfswerk group and is one of eight non-profit companies under the Stiftung Unionhilfswerk Berlin. USE is a member of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband and a signatory of the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft. The organisation runs a Werkstatt für behinderte Menschen (WfbM, workshop for disabled people) with six locations and 20 branch offices across Berlin and Brandenburg. Its vocational fields span over 30 different trades and services, including carpentry, metalwork, painting, boatbuilding, model making, bookbinding, pottery, textile workshops, brush and basket weaving, printing and media (digital, screen, pad, UV inkjet and 3D printing), media design, cleaning, laundry, tailoring, assembly and confectioning, catering, patisserie, cafeteria management, gardening and landscaping, floristry, and animal care. USE also operates the Tierpark Neukölln, the Haus Natur und Umwelt in the Wuhlheide, and animal husbandry at Gutshof Schloss Britz. Its products are sold through the DIM (Die imaginäre Manufaktur) shop, a store café in Kreuzberg, and an online shop. Beyond the workshop, USE offers a range of rehabilitation and integration services: the Beschäftigungs- und Förderbereich (BFB) for people preparing for workshop employment or post-retirement daytime activities; supported employment for those aiming for the general labour market; an Integrationsfachdienst (integration specialist service) in cooperation with Weißenseer Integrationsbetriebe (WIB) GmbH; and the Impulse division for long-term unemployed people in Brandenburg. The organisation also sponsors the USE-SOWAS e.V., a social-pedagogical water sports association. USE positions itself as an innovative, economically oriented enterprise with high social responsibility, demonstrating that entrepreneurship and social engagement are not mutually exclusive. It emphasises professional quality and reliability for its customers in production and services, while creating sustainable work, education and employment opportunities for disadvantaged people. Its headquarters are located at Koloniestraße 133–136 in Berlin-Gesundbrunnen.

Union Sozialer Einrichtungen gGmbH (USE) was founded in 1995 in Berlin. It began with an inclusively run bistro and the management of several kindergarten kitchens. From these modest beginnings, the organisation steadily expanded, adding trades and service areas over time. By 1998, USE had opened a daytime structuring support group for people with severe disabilities, preparing them for transition to workshops. The Integrationsfachdienst also began its work shortly after the founding. In 1999, USE, together with a partner, founded BUS gGmbH to create opportunities for long-term unemployed and young unemployed people; today BUS gGmbH is an independent company within the Unionhilfswerk. In 2006, USE launched an education offensive to align the standard of vocational education with dual training programmes. Its vocational education concept significantly influenced the harmonised educational framework plans of the BAG WfbM. Over more than 25 years, USE has grown continuously and now operates six WfbM locations and 20 branch offices in Berlin and Brandenburg. Its headquarters are at Koloniestraße 133–136 in Berlin-Gesundbrunnen. The organisation is part of the Unionhilfswerk and one of eight non-profit companies under the Stiftung Unionhilfswerk Berlin. It is a member of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband and a signatory of the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft. In 2015, USE published a chronology covering its first 20 years (1995–2015).

• 2015

  Published a 20-year chronology (1995–2015).

• 2006

  Launched an education offensive to align vocational education with dual training standards.

• 1999

  Co-founded BUS gGmbH with a partner for long-term and young unemployed people.

• 1998

  Opened a daytime structuring support group for people with severe disabilities.

• 1995

  Union Sozialer Einrichtungen gGmbH founded in Berlin.

Innovative, economically oriented social enterprise combining professional quality with high social responsibility, creating sustainable work and education opportunities for people with disabilities and disadvantaged groups.

• Werkstatt für behinderte Menschen (WfbM)

  Workshop for disabled people with over 30 vocational fields across crafts, services, gastronomy, animals and nature, and printing and media.

• Integrationsfachdienst

  Integration specialist service advising on severe disability in the workplace, operated with Weißenseer Integrationsbetriebe (WIB) GmbH.

• Beschäftigungs- und Förderbereich (BFB)

  Daytime structuring programme preparing people for workshop work or providing post-retirement activities.

• Unterstützte Beschäftigung

  Supported employment accompanying people to gain a foothold in the general labour market.

• Impulse

  Programmes for long-term unemployed people in Brandenburg oriented towards the general labour market.

• DIM – Die imaginäre Manufaktur

  Shop and café in Kreuzberg selling own products from USE manufactories, plus online shop.

• Tierpark Neukölln

  Animal park operated by USE.

• Haus Natur und Umwelt

  Berlin's third-largest zoo, located in the Wuhlheide, operated by USE.

• pier36eins

  Event location in Grünau managed by USE.

• Kantine Rotes Rathaus

  Cafeteria at Berlin's Rotes Rathaus managed by USE.

• Kantine Abgeordnetenhaus

  Cafeteria at the Berlin House of Representatives managed by USE.

1. 1USE - Union Sozialer Einrichtungen - WfbM Berlinu-s-e.org
2. 2Wer wir sind - Union Sozialer Einrichtungen - WfbM Berlinu-s-e.org
3. 3Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft - Union Sozialer Einrichtungen - WfbM Berlinu-s-e.org
4. 4Union Sozialer Einrichtungen - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
5. 5Union Sozialer Einrichtungen - Wikidatawikidata.org