Youth Center OT Talstraße

For nearly 35 years now, the Talstraße Children’s and Youth Center has been a gathering place for children and teens in Aachen-Nord. Right on the corner of Talstraße, Aretzstraße, and Hein-Janssen-Straße are the former streetcar depots. Many of the students come right after school, meet up here, play foosball, pool, and table tennis, and catch up on the latest news in the youth café—either with each other or with the center’s five staff members.

Communication with children, teenagers, and young adults between the ages of six and 27 is particularly important to the staff. In the afternoon, the children and teens also have the opportunity to do their homework or study for school—with help from the staff members. In addition, a computer with internet access is available for this work. Here, the teens can also write job applications.

In addition to a foosball table, a ping-pong table, and a pool table, the fitness room is used extensively. A dance class takes place once a week in the dance studio. In the spacious teaching kitchen, the teenagers cook together, and once a week the children do as well—preparing much more than just fast food or pizza.

On Saturday afternoons, soccer practice is held at the Aretzstraße middle school or the neighboring sports field—for both girls and boys. In addition, a wide variety of individual projects are carried out: for example, a film was shot with the youth, for which they wrote the screenplay themselves, based on stories from their everyday lives. In another video project, the children showcase the OT’s facilities. Various art programs are held on a regular basis. Young people also meet former visitors to the center who are already successful in their careers to learn what skills are essential for everyday professional life. Overview of


programs offered by the Talstraße Children’s and Youth Center:

- Recreational activities for children and youth ages 6 to 27
- Girls’ group for ages 10 to 13
- Dance group for girls ages 6 to 20
- Dance group for girls and boys
- Girls’ soccer
- Soccer for boys ages 13 to 16
- Soccer for boys ages 6 to 11
- Swimming for children
- Cooking and baking for children and teens
- Creative arts and crafts
- Field trips and weekend outings
- Homework help
- Needs-based projects
- Woodworking in the woodshop
- Wii activities
- A boys’ room and a girls’ room
- Outdoor area where children are allowed to ride provided vehicles (inline skates, scooters, etc.).
- In the summer, we offer a wading pool and many water games.
- Archery
- Low ropes course