True!Moments – Creating Spaces of Joy, Courage, and Human Connection

Welcome to True!Moments gUG — a nonprofit organization that brings the transformative art of clowning into schools and social institutions.
Since 2019, founders Andrea Geser-Novotny (project management) and Ines Rosner (artistic director) have been on a mission with a powerful vision:
To make children and young people feel lighter, safer, and more connected —
through humor, empathy, and a genuine, heartfelt presence.
We believe every child deserves to experience moments of joy, emotional relief, and unconditional acceptance — especially in environments where stress, pressure, and high expectations can feel overwhelming and isolating.

 

Our approach is born from years of experience in school social work, theater pedagogy, and medical clowning in hospital and social fields — and driven by a singular, transformative idea:
We’re not just creating moments of laughter; we’re creating spaces of belonging.
Students move through their days burdened with academic pressure, social struggles, fear of failure, and big emotions often left unspoken.
A professional clown steps into this world, not as a mere entertainer, but as a bridge — a bridge between worlds, between students and teachers, between fear and courage, between isolation and connection.
Clowns are not there to judge, to entertain, or to perform. They are there to listen. To see. To be with you.

 

 

Clowns offer a moment of pause, a breath in the chaos, a shared smile that says, "You are not alone."
They are neutral, without judgment — showing that even in the midst of struggles, there’s a place to laugh, to fail, and to try again.
Through their playful yet deeply empathetic presence, they open up emotional doors.
Humor doesn’t just lighten the mood — it unlocks the heart.
Play doesn’t just create joy — it sparks courage.
A clown’s presence can transform a heavy moment into something lighter, a storm into calm.

 

True!Moments is committed to:

 

  • Making every school a place where students feel not just seen but deeply understood and valued.
  • Preventing exclusion, racism, bullying, and isolation by creating space for true connection through humor and compassionate presence.
  • Supporting both students and school staff — emotionally and socially, not just academically.
  • Fostering resilience, emotional intelligence, and a belief in one’s own strength in children and youths.

 

One of the most important values we cultivate is the joy of failure.
We believe that failure is not something to fear or avoid — but rather a crucial part of learning, growing, and becoming resilient. Through the clown’s playful approach, children learn to embrace their mistakes, laugh at them, and discover the power of getting back up and trying again. Failure isn’t the end — it’s just the beginning of the next step.

 

 

 

What We Do: Our Approach in Schools

 

 

Regular & Reliable Presence
Our school clowns don’t just drop in once. They arrive every week, on the same day, so students and teachers know exactly when to expect them. This consistency builds trust and makes the clown a familiar, comforting presence in the school environment.

 

Emotional Scouting & Connection
Each visit begins with a check-in. Clowns often start in the principal’s office or teacher lounge, sensing the mood and energy of the school.
Is there a conflict? A heavy atmosphere? A student in need of extra support?
They then walk through the school — through halls, classrooms, and playgrounds — attuned to where their presence might make a difference.

 

Playful, Empathetic Encounters
Clowns don’t just perform — they connect. They engage with students in a way that goes far beyond comedy. Their improvisation is thoughtful, emotionally attuned, and deeply respectful.
Through gestures, mime, and spontaneous moments of play, they communicate with students who might feel isolated, scared, or overwhelmed.
The clown helps children feel their feelings without fear of judgment. Whether it’s grief, exclusion, or failure, the clown shows that it’s okay to feel, and it’s okay to share those feelings with others.

 

Collaboration with School Staff
Our clowns work closely with teachers, social workers, and school leadership. Emotional support only works when it’s integrated into the wider school culture.
When a clown senses a deeper issue, they don’t force an intervention, but rather guide students toward professional help or school resources.

 

 

 

A Day With a School Clown — A Closer Look

 

A clown arrives at school. They greet the janitor, wave at a student they’ve come to know, and share a warm smile with a teacher rushing off to class.
 Throughout the day, the clown:

 

  • Collaborates with school social workers
  • Connects with teachers and staff
  • Observes the mood and responds in real-time to emotional dynamics
  • Adapts their presence to what’s needed, whether it’s a laugh or a quiet moment of presence.

 

Maybe a student is angry.
Maybe another feels invisible.
Maybe the whole class is tense after a conflict.
Maybe a teacher is exhausted.

 

A clown notices these moments and responds — sometimes with humor, sometimes with empathy, sometimes with a simple, grounding presence.
Children quickly understand: "The clown sees me. For real."
That feeling of being truly seen — of having someone acknowledge your struggle — can change everything.

 

 

Pictures: Herzenssache e.V.

The Impact We Witness — Every Week

 

For Students:

 

  • They develop emotional resilience — learning how to navigate feelings of sadness, frustration, exclusion, and failure through heartfelt, playful encounters.
  • They feel deeply seen — the clown is not just an adult, but a true companion, someone who meets them with curiosity, humor, and compassion.
  • They develop social and creative skills — expressing themselves, solving conflicts, and learning to trust others.

 

For Teachers & School Staff:

 

  • The clown acts as a bridge — diffusing tension, observing emotional dynamics, and intervening early.
  • Teachers report a lighter mood in the school and discover new, creative ways to connect with students.
  • The clown’s presence supports an inclusive, emotionally aware school culture where connection comes before correction.

 

For the Whole School:

 

  • Clowns contribute to a climate of empathy, joy, and belonging.
  • They help prevent isolation and conflict by making emotional life visible and manageable.
  • Their involvement is evaluated regularly through feedback from students, teachers, and school leadership.

 

A small moment of connection can completely change the emotional course of a school day. And that change ripples through everything.

 

 

 

Pictures: Valerie Bartel

Our Broader Work: Beyond School Walls

True!Moments doesn’t stop at school corridors. We run additional programs to magnify our impact:

 

  • School Clown Training Programs — We offer a full “school clown” training, designed for people who want to bring clowning and emotional presence into educational settings.
  • Workshops for Educators and Professionals — We teach the value of humor as a resource in pedagogy, showing educators how to use laughter, play, and emotional intelligence intentionally.
  • Clownbulance Project — A joyful, mobile project that brings wish-days and magical experiences to young people facing difficult life situations.
    Sometimes, one unforgettable moment can bring hope that lasts for months.

 

 

 

Our Vision

We dream of a world where:

 

  • Every school has a clown — a trusted, consistent presence that helps students feel safe, understood, and supported.
  • Humor and emotional intelligence are not extras, but core parts of education.
  • Children don’t just learn facts, but how to navigate life with courage, resilience, and joy.
  • Emotional support, creativity, and trust are woven into the fabric of every classroom.

 

We believe that by planting these “true moments” — moments of genuine connection, laughter, and presence — we contribute to a more compassionate, resilient, and joyful school culture.

 

 

 

Our Growth & Recognition

Since its inception, True!Moments has blossomed into something far greater than we imagined. What started with just a few clowns in schools has grown into a network of passionate individuals dedicated to transforming education through laughter, empathy, and human connection.

 

·        Today, True!Moments works with over 20 professional school clowns across Baden-Württemberg, spreading joy and connection where it’s needed most.

 

·        We are proud to partner with organizations and clowns beyond our region, extending our reach to schools across Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and even Canada.

 

·        We train new clowns, helping them develop their skills and deepen their understanding of emotional support in schools, and we continue to expand our community through workshops and networking.

 

·        In July 2022, True!Moments was officially recognized as a youth welfare provider (Jugendhilfeträger), an honor that underscores the deep social value of our work and our commitment to the emotional well-being of children and young people.

 

·        We publish an annual report to transparently share our progress, challenges, and ambitions, and we are incredibly grateful to have been nominated for the prestigious German Engagement Prize (“Deutscher Engagementpreis”), which highlights the impact our school clown concept has had on communities across the country.

 

 

This recognition isn’t just about awards — it’s about the real impact we see every day. It’s about the smiles on children’s faces, the lighter atmosphere in classrooms, and the moments of connection that ripple out to teachers, parents, and entire school communities.

 

 

Pictures: Valerie Bartel

How You Can Be Part of This

 

Want to help us create more true moments? Here’s how you can make a difference:

 

  1. Invite a School Clown — Bring a clown into your school and help create a space where every student can feel seen, heard, and valued. Reach out to us today and start a partnership that will transform your school community.
  2. Train with Us — Join our next school-clown training or workshop and become part of our growing network of clowns who are bringing joy and emotional support into classrooms around the world.
  3. Partner or Support — Your support helps make our work possible. Whether through a donation or sponsorship, you play a vital role in making sure our clowns can reach as many children as possible.
  4. Share Our Mission — Spread the word! Whether online, in your community, or in your network, help us inspire others to support emotional well-being and creative learning in schools.

 

Together, we can create more true moments — one laugh, one connection, one child at a time.

 

 

📩 [email protected]
 🌐 truemoments-clowns.com

 

 

Let’s create more true moments together.