History of the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO)

In December 2019, the Workers' Welfare Association looks back on 100 years of history. As the leading association of independent welfare services, the AWO today has around 330,000 members, over 200,000 employees, 65,000 volunteers, and 13,000 facilities, making it one of the most important players in social policy. It is committed to youth, senior citizens, health, and care sectors, as well as to equal opportunities and social participation. In the critically sympathetic 'History of the Workers' Welfare Association,' the founding, development, and key milestones of the association are comprehensively presented for the first time. The authors demonstrate that the diverse political and social changes in Germany are reflected in the history of the AWO and that the association itself has influenced the shaping of welfare and social policy. The focus is not only on structures and activities but also on the people and places of AWO history.