Claudia Seidensticker was overjoyed to accept the award as “Düsseldorf Woman of the Year” from the Rheinische Post in the category “Voluntary Commitment”.
Award for outstanding voluntary commitment to children and young people
Our founder and chairwoman, Claudia Seidensticker, was named "Düsseldorf Woman of the Year" by the Rheinische Post newspaper in the category of volunteer work. In his laudatory speech, art collector and entrepreneur Selim Varol praised the exceptional commitment of KRASS e.V. and called for donations to our projects. He particularly emphasized the diversity of our services and our reach across various target groups, from refugee shelters and playgrounds to schools. Claudia accepted the award with visible emotion and thanked everyone on behalf of the children we reach with our projects.
The life story of Claudia Seidensticker
Claudia's commitment to children and culture is closely linked to her own life story. A serious car accident in February 2004 fundamentally changed her life: After months in a coma, she spent almost two years in hospitals and rehabilitation clinics. She was no longer able to pursue her professional career as a painter. But Claudia refused to be discouraged, fought her way back to life, and began a new chapter that would soon prove to be a great enrichment for many children and young people. Based on her personal experience, she asked herself which abilities remain despite limitations. This led to the idea of introducing art and culture to disadvantaged young people.
Founding of KRASS e.V.
In 2009, the Düsseldorf resident of the year 2023 founded the association KRASS e.V., which she has led on a voluntary basis ever since. Her motto is: "If we want to change the world for the better, we have to start with the children." With our programs, we want to not only foster children's creativity but also facilitate integration – easily accessible, free of charge, and directly on-site, where the children live.
Innovative projects for children and young people
With our KulturMobil (CultureMobile), we travel to socially disadvantaged areas, refugee shelters, and children's hospital wards in Düsseldorf to promote creativity, courage, and joy. In our intergenerational project "Old Meets Young," residents of retirement homes and kindergarten children experience encounters full of joy and curiosity. With teenagers, for example, we work together on skateboards to foster teamwork and practical skills. Claudia supports the children not through instruction, but through motivation and inspiration.
KRASS e.V. National and international presence
Thanks to social franchising, "KRASS vor Ort" now exists not only in Düsseldorf, but also in Athens, Shanghai, Kurdistan, Trier, Hamburg, and Lüneburg. All projects are financed through donations and project grants. Claudia's network and her ability to inspire others are crucial to this success. Since the association's founding, we have been supported by more than 300 volunteers.
Honors and tributes
Claudia Seidensticker has received numerous awards since 2008. Among the most important honors are the Order of Merit of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in 2022 and now the award "Düsseldorf Woman of the Year 2023We are delighted that Claudia's long-standing commitment and tireless work for children and young people are being recognized in this way.
Photo: KRASS e. V.
About the “Düsseldorfer of the Year” award
The award "Düsseldorfer of the YearThe “Düsseldorf City Prize” has been awarded annually by the Rheinische Post newspaper since 2009 to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the city through exceptional commitment in areas such as business, culture, sports, volunteer work, innovation, and sustainability. The recipients are selected by an independent jury and honored at a gala event. Past honorees include personalities such as Hape Kerkeling, Doro Pesch, Reinhard Müller, and Anja Gersdorf. The award has become a significant event in Düsseldorf's civic life, providing a platform to highlight the dedication and achievements of individuals who have a lasting positive impact on the city.