About

Love your neighbour — in practice.

Maritastiftelsen is a non-profit, interdenominational and diaconal foundation working against social exclusion — helping people with addiction, people leaving controlling relationships, and people facing mental, social and physical challenges.

Who we are

Maritastiftelsen’s view of people is rooted in the Christian faith and the Bible.

Many of those working here have themselves come out of long-term addiction and crime through a Christian conversion. Showing love through action is the core of that faith — and together with social and health expertise, it is the backbone of our work.

The foundation serves many local churches as a tool for reaching people in the city struggling with drugs, crime and prostitution.

Our aim is to

support people struggling with substance abuse
motivate towards a drug-free life
help people out of unwanted, controlling relationships
support people facing combined mental, social and physical challenges
meet people with existential questions and spiritual needs
help people master their lives and take back control

Our history

From one man’s school visits to eleven departments.

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.
1975
Leiv visits school classes for the first time, warning young people about drugs — the humble start of what is now Maritastiftelsen.
1984
The film “Marita – a document from someone who survived” is shown in schools across Norway. Maritastiftelsen is founded the same year.
1986
Prison work begins in Oslo — first from Salem Church, later as part of the foundation.
1994
First state grant. The Marita second-hand shop opens at Markveien 67 in Grünerløkka.
1996
Maritakafeen opens at Prinsens gate 6. Premiere of “Marita II – a warning from someone who survived”.
1999
Leiv O. Holstad receives the national Crime Prevention Award from Minister of Justice Einar Dørum.
2003
Marita Ung is founded for young people at risk of being drawn into Oslo’s drug scene.
2004
The foundation moves into its own building at Holsts gate 6, Torshov. The music workshop starts.
2011
Second-hand store opens in Mjøndalen. The music workshop wins the St. Thomas memorial award.
2014
Leiv O. Holstad is awarded the King’s Medal of Merit.
2016
Marita Drift begins demolition work. Marita Women opens a home for women with experience of prostitution.
2018
M&E Second Hand opens in partnership with Sweden’s Erikshjälpen.
2020
Marita Gjøvik opens. Prison work reaches 13 prisons. Leiv O. Holstad passes away.

Over the years Maritastiftelsen has also supported prevention work in schools across Europe, and is the national representative of Teen Challenge.

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.

Administration

Dag B. Jacobsen · Managing directordag@marita.no
Nils Rune Kind · Head of administrationnilsrune@marita.no
Laila Bordøy · Secretarylaila@marita.no
Evalena Holstad · Financeevalena@marita.no
Eva C. Ekelund · Accountseva@marita.no
Stein Erik Mikalsen · Caretakersteinerik@marita.no
Petter Aker · Communicationspetter.aker@marita.no

Department heads

Mathias V. Kristensen · Maritakafeenmathias@marita.no
Kristin Strandengen · Marita Womenkristin@marita.no
Thomas Pyke · Marita Bombo@marita.no
Jan Erik Nilsen · Marita Fengseljanerik@marita.no
Ingvill Trydal · Marita Ungingvill@marita.no
Therese Svartdahl · Marita Forebyggendebooking@marita.no
Bjørn Aksel Ringstad · Marita Gjøvikbjornaksel@marita.no
Truls Petter Andersen · Marita Drifttruls@marita.no
Trond Pettersen · Marita Brukthandelmjondalen@marita.no

The board

The board has four to eight members elected for two years at a time; one is elected by and among the staff.

Gunnar Dehli
Chair
Amy Østertun Geirdal
Deputy chair
Jan Dørum
Employee representative
Stian Syvertsen
Board member
Sture Angelsen
Board member
Anneli Finnema
Board member

Board composition as of 31.12.2020, as listed on marita.no.

Maritastiftelsen is registered in the Brønnøysund Register Centre (org. no. 971 275 898) and approved by Innsamlingskontrollen.

Questions? Get in touch.