The organization Les Eaux Vives Emmaüs welcomes homeless individuals, those in precarious situations, people with mental health issues, and migrants into emergency shelters, permanent housing, and activities focused on health and employment. In total, there are 36 facilities in the department, operating with 180 employees and around a hundred volunteers. In 2024, 7,861 people were welcomed by the organization, which represents about 1,800 individuals daily.
“What brings us together is developing this notion of living together with those we host,” explains Pascal Dutronc. “We believe that this approach gives more chances and more trust to the people we receive, based on their ability to act, their projects, and the richness of the individual. The positive outcomes from all our programs are significantly higher.”
A great example is the program “Les premières heures en chantier,” which allows us to welcome individuals who have been living on the streets for 10 or even 15 years into employment activities related to the restaurant industry. “For this, it’s almost a mission impossible for France Travail,” shares Pascal Dutronc. “However, through the creation of a trusting relationship with the individuals who come to us, most of whom we have known for a while, it becomes possible, and two-thirds move positively towards employment, training, and various prospects, gaining more autonomy.”
“What we take away from all this is that the capacity to bounce back, to mobilize anyone exists, and by fostering trust and recognizing these individuals, we manage to help them evolve in incredible ways. It’s a great example of what we achieve. It’s truly wonderful. For us, these are daily motivations to experience this,” concludes Pascal Dutronc.
