“We operate in what we call popular education,” explains Benjamin Lemoine. “We provide services with professionals and volunteers to the residents. We manage mini-crèches, an integration hub, a training center, we offer leisure activities, we support young people in gaining autonomy, especially those who are out of school, we offer humanitarian trips, and we also work on soft skills, practical skills, and parenting”…. Add to this Repair cafés, social grocery stores, shared gardens…
This represents a total of about 10,000 members across the 11 community and socio-cultural centers in the Valenciennes region, although the door is open to everyone, member or not, with unconditional welcome.
The missions also include a “going towards” approach for the most isolated and disadvantaged families, setting up activities in front of schools at dismissal time, in parks, offering bike rides, mobile libraries, and cafés at the foot of apartment buildings.
“We are local observers, and in this capacity, we manage to bring up the issues of the neighborhoods to our institutional partners,” explains Benjamin Lemoine. “We try to influence public policies.” He cites the support initiatives aimed at seniors, who are increasingly numerous in these low-income neighborhoods, as well as the assistance for professional integration for those furthest from employment, where France Travail and local missions struggle to reach residents.
