History
Vihreä Keidas ry has been doing substance abuse work based on Christian values in Helsinki for decades, since the association started on November 2, 1966. The association's founders were Ella Grönroos, who served as its first chair, and Anna Herlin, who served as its first vice chair. The association's founding was preceded by events held at Ella Grönroos's home, which began in 1963. Grönroos was inspired and motivated by her experiences in the United States, where she attended a Christian responsibility conference in 1962 and learned about Christian youth café activities in Washington. Vihreä Keidas ry
Vihreä Keidas ry is one of Finland's oldest organizations working to prevent drug abuse. In the early days, Ella Grönroos gave presentations throughout Finland and also in Sweden, and the association organized popular speaking events featuring foreign experts in the field. The association's rules defined its main tasks as pastoral care among young people and building bridges between homes, schools, and young people. The association organized lectures, discussions, and evening gatherings for young people, held popular tea parties in downtown Helsinki, and maintained contact with drug addicts in their homes, prisons, and workplaces. Anna-Liisa Heikura, a specialist nurse who originally joined the association as a volunteer in the 1960s, worked with Rauni Kaukinen for decades in the association's management. In 1983, with a donation from the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, the association acquired premises in Sörnäinen, which initially served as a reception center for young people in difficulty.
In order to stabilize and secure the association's operations, a foundation was established, with Heikki Herlin as its founding member and first chairman. Ella Grönroos, who died in 1973, bequeathed her apartment as start-up capital for the Vihreä Keidas Foundation established by the association.
History
A history of Vihreä Keidas ry's 50 years of activity has been written by Tapani Ruokanen. The book is titled "Kun huumeet tulivat Helsinkiin" (When Drugs Came to Helsinki). The book can be purchased during Keidas' opening hours for €10.