Partners
Stronger Together for Children and Young People in the Ruhr Area!
Achieving ambitious goals takes more than good intentions – it takes people who are willing to get involved and make a difference. At Be Strong For Kids (BSFK), we believe in the power of community. By connecting individuals, volunteers, athletes, schools, companies, and foundations, we turn shared commitment into meaningful action for children.
Behind every BSFK project is a strong network of supporters: dedicated volunteers, participants in our BSFK Goes School project, athletes and teams, and the many members of our Friends For Kids community who support our mission throughout the year. Among them are Olympic 3×3 basketball champion Sonja Greinacher and German sprint swimming record holder Damian Wierling. We are also proud to be supported by numerous companies, businesses, and foundations across Germany.
We are deeply grateful for the trust, generosity, and dedication of everyone who stands with us. Their commitment helps create opportunities, build confidence, and bring moments of joy to children who need them most.
Support the work of Be Strong For Kids and let us make a lasting difference – together.
Patrons
We are deeply grateful to our patrons and ambassadors, Thomas Kufen, Damian Wierling, and Sonja Greinacher, for their trust, encouragement, and ongoing support. Thank you for helping us create new opportunities and brighter futures for children and young people. Through your commitment and dedication, you help raise awareness for our mission and inspire others to get involved. Together, we are building a stronger, more caring community for the next generation.
“Children are among the most vulnerable members of our society, which is why it is so important that we stand up for them. Be Strong For Kids is making a real difference by supporting children and young people, especially during challenging times and in difficult circumstances. I am deeply grateful to everyone who already contributes to this remarkable initiative. To those who are not yet involved, I encourage you to learn more about the organization and see its impact for yourself.”
Thomas Kufen
Mayor of the City of Essen
“Water is fascinating and offers endless opportunities, but it can also be unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Children, in particular, are often unaware of the risks and need guidance to develop confidence and safety in the water. That is why qualified coaches and instructors are so important. They help children learn essential water safety and swimming skills while ensuring that enjoyment and confidence remain at the heart of the experience. This combination is key to long-term success in learning to swim, and it is exactly what makes Be Strong For Kids such a valuable organization.”
Damian Wierling
Olympian / German Record Holder in Swimming
“The challenges facing our society today can be overwhelming, especially for children and young people. Many of them also lack access to the support, opportunities, and encouragement they need to discover their strengths and reach their full potential. Through basketball, I have been fortunate to meet incredible people, build confidence in myself, and experience different cultures around the world. Those experiences have shaped who I am today, and they have inspired me to give something back. That is why I am so proud to support Be Strong For Kids. The organization creates opportunities for children in Essen to grow, develop confidence, and discover what they are capable of achieving.”
Sonja Greinacher
Olympic Gold Medalist in 3×3 Basketball, Paris 2024
Sponsors & Supporting Members
Numerous companies and businesses from all over Germany have confidence in the work of Be Strong For Kids – together with our supporting members, they provide long-term support for our projects, courses and campaigns.
Your help is needed!
Become part of the BSFK network: Get involved as a partner by sponsoring individual projects or support us long-term as an exclusive supporting member.
Help sick, disabled and socially disadvantaged children and young people in the Ruhr area.
Contact us – or download our application for supporting membership here.
Once you have filled out and signed the application, please send it to us at the following address:
Be Strong For Kids e. V.
Sundernholz 108
45134 Essen
Alternatively by email to: info@bestrongforkids.de
We look forward to your involvement. Be Strong For Kids – together!
“No matter how difficult life with cancer can be, BSFK brings moments of joy and lightness to our children and families. The organization gives us strength, helps us overcome challenges, and creates experiences that bring people together, open hearts, and remind us that we are not alone.”
Nicole Stember
Social Worker (Diploma)
West German Proton Therapy Center Essen
“I am delighted that Contilia’s social initiative 1,000 Hearts is a partner of Be Strong For Kids. The goals of both organizations align perfectly, as we share a commitment to encouraging children and young people to enjoy movement and physical activity as part of their everyday lives. Regular exercise and participation in sports contribute significantly to a healthy lifestyle and overall well-being. Together, we are creating opportunities that help children grow up active, healthy, and confident.”
Prof. Dr. Oliver Bruder
Head of the Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Elisabeth Hospital Essen
and Initiator of the Contilia Social Initiative “1,000 Hearts”
“We support Be Strong For Kids because the organization brings our foundation’s commitment to supporting children and young people to life with passion, dedication, and tangible impact, particularly through its sports and activity programs. We are especially impressed by the positive impact of the BSFK Goes School project, which benefits both the children taking part and the students who volunteer. We believe this innovative approach deserves long-term support so that it can continue to grow and reach even more schools in the future.”
Heike Korte
Korte Foundation
Circle of Friends
Sport and physical activity are at the heart of our work. Driven by a shared commitment to creating positive change for children and young people who are ill or facing social disadvantage in the Ruhr region, Be Strong For Kids is proud to be supported by athletes from across the region and throughout Germany. Individual athletes, teams, and sports clubs regularly contribute to our mission by supporting our projects or launching their own fundraising initiatives. In return, they benefit from our network, partnerships, and experience in developing impactful social projects. Discover the dedication, passion, and inspiring commitment of the remarkable athletes and teams who help make our work possible.
Become part of our team!
Through our programs, we provide children and young people facing social, financial, or personal challenges with access to a wide range of sports, physical activity, and cultural experiences in a supportive group environment. To reach as many children as possible across the Ruhr region, we rely on a strong network of partner organizations. If you believe your organization and Be Strong For Kids could make a great team, we would love to hear from you.
Organizations & Institutions
We want our help to reach exactly where it’s needed. That’s why we collaborate with organizations and institutions already dedicated to supporting sick, disadvantaged, or disabled children and young people – providing medical, therapeutic, or social support. Our regular partners include organizations in various cities.
Expand our strong network!
With our courses, we aim to provide sick or disadvantaged children and young people from various institutions in the Ruhr region with a diverse range of sports, exercise, and cultural activities in a group setting. To reach as many children as possible, we need the largest possible network of cooperation partners. If you think your institution and Be Strong For Kids would be a great team, then let’s talk!
