Life's New Chapter Unfolds for This Berlin Resident at City Station
Article Transformation
By Bjoern Trautwein
Wow, what a turnaround! A mere year ago, Grzegorz, now 49, was hitting rock bottom—homeless, an alcoholic, and disconnected from his daughter. Today, he's clean, employed, and reconnected with his family, thanks to a chance encounter at the City-Station in Halensee.
For half a century, this spot has been a daily refuge for the homeless, serving up warm meals and a whole lot of hope. It boasts shower facilities, clean clothes, and plenty of ears to lend when life spirals out of control, exactly what Grzegorz needed.
The walls are adorned with books, heavy wooden tables, and a long marble counter—the perfect setting for a heartwarming comeback story. Grzegorz takes a seat at one of the wood tables, a plate of noodles and a chocolate Easter bunny in front of him. He's an engineer who landed in Berlin three years ago due to a dispute over payment—he hails from Warsaw and has a degree as an engineering technician.
Trouble, Prison, Alcohol, and Loss
He spent three and a half years in jail in Poland due to the payment dispute with a client. In Berlin, he hustled for work, scraping by with odd labor jobs. When his client went bankrupt, he lost his job and his apartment. He took to drinking, found shelter in a makeshift home in the Grünwald.
He'd visit the City-Station for meals, showering opportunities, and encouragement from the social workers. That was his lucky break.
His estranged daughter, Victoria (16), lived with her mother in the Netherlands. They hadn't spoken for five years. "I knew I had to change, get my life back on track," he admits. Without professional help, he managed a cold-turkey detox. For three days, he lay shaking and vomiting in the bushes. "Since then, I haven't touched a drop."
New Beginnings After Detox
The social workers at the City-Station noticed his determination and commitment, found him a job. Grzegorz recently started working on the grounds of the city mission in Moabit, doing odd labor tasks such as fixing things, cleaning, and maintenance. "I'm like a caretaker there," he beams with pride. "I make sure everything's working." The social workers praise him, and there's even talk of a permanent position.
"That would be the best," he says dreamily. "A regular job—that's what I long for." But his deepest wish is for his own apartment. He still wants to visit the City-Station, even if he finds a place of his own some day. Because, he says, "Here, I feel seen—and a little at home."
Organizations like the Berlin City Mission, Textilhafen, Kältebus, and Berliner Tafel, along with Caritas, provide vital services to the homeless in Berlin, including food, showers, clean clothes, and social worker assistance. The City-Station, much like a hub, offers these services collaboratively, often in conjunction with these organizations. However, specific details about the City-Station's Services were not found in the available search results.
- Grzegorz's transformation was facilitated by the workplace wellness initiatives at the City-Station, which offered him a chance to regain his health and wellness through employment.
- In his pursuit of a better lifestyle, Grzegorz made improvements in his fitness and exercise routine after overcoming his alcohol addiction.
- The family dynamics between Grzegorz and his daughter, Victoria, have shown signs of improvement, as they were able to reconnect after five years of estrangement.
- Grzegorz's experience at the City-Station, focused on health and wellness, has helped him find a sense of belonging and fostered positive relationships in his life.
