Maritastiftelsen · since 1984
We believe in new beginnings.
Like the dandelion through the asphalt. We walk with people out of addiction, crime and prostitution — on the street, in prisons, in our café and in our homes.
Our logo: a dandelion between the buildings
1984
Founded by Leiv O. Holstad
11
Departments today
150
Volunteers
13
Prisons visited regularly
The name Marita
“Farewell Marita” became a promise.
The foundation took its name from the 1984 documentary “Marita – a document from someone who survived”, made by founder Leiv O. Holstad. Its title song is about a girl who died of an overdose.
Marita has become a symbol for all our friends who have died from drug-related causes. Many of us working here today have ourselves come out of long-term addiction and crime.
Our work
Ten doors in. One way out.
Contact café · Central Oslo
Maritakafeen
Since 1996 a place where you can come as you are — a bite to eat, a cup of coffee and someone who sees you.
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Women · Oslo
Marita Women
Work among women and trans people with experience of prostitution — contact café, work training, shared housing and follow-up.
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Housing · Torshov
Marita Bo
A safe place to live for young adults aged 18–25 — community, conversation and follow-up in a building in Torshov.
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Prison visits · Eastern Norway
Marita Fengsel
Cake, coffee and a good conversation behind the walls — and aftercare on the way out.
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Youth · Sub Scene
Marita Ung
Free music workshop on Tuesdays and a Friday café at Sub Scene in central Oslo. Low threshold, no stress.
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Schools · Prisons · Communities
Marita Forebyggende
Films and talks in schools and direct work with young people at risk — by people with lived experience.
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Aftercare · Gjøvik
Marita Gjøvik
Contact café, self-help groups and work training in the middle of Gjøvik’s pedestrian street. The coffee is always on.
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“Changing isn’t easy. But at Maritastiftelsen, many of us can prove that it is possible.”
Maritamagasinet
Stories from everyday life
1 September 2026
Et ekstra hjem
På Sub Scene i Oslo sentrum møter ungdommer et rusfritt fellesskap bygget rundt musikk, mestring og tilhørighet. Avdelingsleder Ingvill Trydal forteller hva tilbudet betyr, og ungdommene sier det kanskje aller best selv.
1 September 2026
MARITASTIFTELSEN : Slik vokste arbeidet fram
Maritastiftelsen består av åtte avdelinger og rundt 240 frivillige, i tillegg til ansatte, givere og samarbeidspartnere. Arbeidet spenner fra ungdomsarbeid og oppfølging i fengsel til botilbud, bruktbutikker, kafé og hje…
1 September 2026
Et hjem for en ny start
Marita Bo er et botilbud for unge voksne i aldersgruppen 18 til 25 år, som av ulike grunner trenger et trygt sted å bo. Formålet er å skape en god ramme for hverdagen gjennom fellesskap, samtaler og oppfølging. Målet er …
1 September 2026
En som blir værende
Marita Forebyggende arbeider på skoler, i nærmiljøer og fengsler, og i overgangen tilbake til livet utenfor. Avdelingen holder foredrag, driver ungdomsarbeid på Mortensrud, har grupper og én-til-én-samtaler med innsatte,…
1 September 2026
Ti år med tillit
I sommer feiret Marita Women ti år. Nåværende og tidligere beboere, ansatte og samarbeidspartnere samlet seg til jubileum på Malmøya. At så mange kom tilbake for å feire, sier noe om hva Marita Women ønsker å være: mer e…
1 September 2026
Arbeid med mening
M&E Second Hand har butikker på Hasle og i Gunerius. Her får brukte ting nytt liv, og mennesker et sted å høre til. Avdelingsleder Ellen Ravnemyr Jonassen forteller hva som driver arbeidet, og hvorfor målet aldri bare er…
1 September 2026
Her er det plass
Noen kommer for å lete etter klær, møbler eller en brukt skatt. Andre kommer fordi de trenger arbeidserfaring, en vei videre eller ganske enkelt et sted å gå. I Marita Brukthandel Mjøndalen møtes de under samme tak.
1 September 2026
Et pusterom i byen
Siden 1996 har Maritakafeen vært et holdepunkt for mennesker som lever med rus og utenforskap. Nå drives arbeidet fra midlertidige lokaler i Oslo Baptistkirke og ute i Oslos gater.
Stories are published in Norwegian.
Our values
Faith.
For us, faith in God is an inner resource and the foundation of everything we do. It gives us faith in people, in our work and in ourselves. Believing in new beginnings has always been at the heart of Maritastiftelsen.
Presence.
We show care and we are present where the need is. The people we meet should feel seen and heard. We walk alongside them patiently — change takes time.
Integrity.
What we say and what we do belong together. We manage our purpose and the resources entrusted to us responsibly, with staff who bring broad competence and long experience.
From one man to eleven departments
The light was lit in 1973. It hasn’t gone out since.
1973
On Whit Monday, morphine addict Leiv O. Holstad is invited to a concert at Filadelfia in Oslo. The next day his withdrawal is gone. He enters rehab and becomes drug-free.
1984
The film “Marita – a document from someone who survived” is shown in schools across Norway. Maritastiftelsen is founded the same year.
1996
Maritakafeen opens at Prinsens gate 6. Premiere of “Marita II – a warning from someone who survived”.
2004
The foundation moves into its own building at Holsts gate 6, Torshov. The music workshop starts.
2016
Marita Drift begins demolition work. Marita Women opens a home for women with experience of prostitution.
2020
Marita Gjøvik opens. Prison work reaches 13 prisons. Leiv O. Holstad passes away.
Support the work
Give a gift.
Give safety.
Our finances rest on three pillars: public funding, income from our second-hand shops — and gifts. Your contribution makes this work possible.
Vipps
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