The Waisenhaus is a public-law foundation based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Its registered address is Bleichstraße 10, 60313 Frankfurt am Main. Founded in 1679, it began as an almshouse, orphanage and workhouse; over time it developed into a provider of child and youth welfare services. 29
The foundation supports children and young people who cannot live with their parents, whose families cannot provide sufficient support, or who face barriers to participation in society. Its work includes counselling and guidance, financial and material assistance, and ambulatory, residential and day-group services. It also operates a mother-and-child home and offers support for care leavers moving toward independent living. 19
Its activities are centred on Frankfurt and address local social needs. The foundation describes its property and land management—principally in and around Frankfurt—as an economic basis for its social work in the city. 48 It is a foundation with its own legal personality and is one of six public charitable foundations in Frankfurt. 5
The foundation’s board, the Pflegamt, has seven members; its senior is Frankfurt city councillor and social affairs official Elke Voitl. The administration is led by Director Michael Müller, with deputy director Sylvia Hornung and asset-management head Marion Gauglitz also named as members of the leadership team. 5 Its organisational structure includes direction, administration, asset management and the area responsible for the foundation’s charitable purpose; the website reports approximately 130 employees. 5