In May, Burgenland’s first crisis center for child and youth care will open in Mörbisch. Girls and boys can temporarily stay here in exceptional family situations. That is thanks to 25-year-old Vanessa Schwaighofer. She tragically lost her parents.
When there is domestic violence or abuse, parents become psychologically ill, have an accident or sudden death and the well-being of the child is suspected, the affected girls and boys absolutely need a sheltered home in which they can regain stability. can experience.
Because the number of danger reports in Burgenland has been rising for years, a social facility will soon be opened in Mörbisch where three to 18-year-olds can be taken care of for up to six months in exceptional family situations.
Value added project
The four-storey house in which they would have to find temporary shelter was a former bed and breakfast and belonged to 25-year-old Vanessa Schwaighofer from Mörbisch. The insurance employee could have sold her inheritance to other interested parties, but she deliberately chose to sell it to Social Services Burgenland.
Brutal blows of fate
In 2015, her mother Ulrike died in a car accident at the age of 46. Vanessa was 17 at the time. A year later, her father Gerhard, a sales manager, took his own life: “In the beginning, Dad built us up, but over time, he could cope with Mom’s death and the additional financial burden that arose afterwards. Instead of talking about being overwhelmed and seeking psychotherapeutic help like I did, he left the house and didn’t show it.”
The shock for Vanessa Schwaighofer was all the greater when one day the crisis intervention team showed up again and informed her about her father’s suicide. She doesn’t know what happened after that. To this day, she receives psychological treatment to process her trauma.
hold and aim
The death of her parents brought Schwaighofer and her brother so close that they got tattoos. “My brother’s keeper” is written on her arm, “My sister’s protector” on his. Also on the inside of her wrist is a family of four – holding hands.
“In a dream, mom told me that she had gone ahead and was waiting for us. Since then I am sure that there is an afterlife and that we are further connected. This gives me the strength to continue, to take my life into my own hands and to encourage others with my story. That would be exactly what my parents wanted,” says Schwaighofer, who now lives in Donnerskirchen.
If desired, she also gives the children and young people in the crisis center confidence: “You can ask me anything so that nothing is lost. I already have a notice of objection: accept help. Nobody has to be strong all the time!”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
