“Centenary Celebration: Foyer Notre-Dame Association’s Key Role in Refugee Support and Child Protection in Strasbourg”

The association, which celebrated its centenary on May 23, is a key player in supporting refugees and child protection in Strasbourg.

Welcome, respect and solidarity. At the heart of all the actions carried out by the association Foyer Notre-Dame (AFND), these three values ​​were recalled with conviction by the president Antoine Breining during the centenary of the organization, on May 23. 1923 marks the formalization, in the form of an association, of the accommodation of young rural women workers organized by two Strasbourg canons in a private mansion in the rue des Echasses, which is still the seat of the Foyer Notre-Dame. After the Second World War, these rooms were also open to female students and protected minors.
“At the end of the 1970s, our association was asked to organize the reception of refugees from Southeast Asia, recounts Antoine Breining. Everything had to be built… But thanks to the involvement of everyone, Vietnamese families were able to settle in Strasbourg.” A turning point for the AFND, which now devotes more than 60% of its activity to welcoming people from forced migration, from asylum applications to socio-professional integration.

Adapt to new weaknesses

Thanks to the commitment of its employees and volunteers, the association is now recognized as a key player in the response to weaknesses. It is a solid partner of the State, the CEA, the CAF as well as the City and the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg to fulfill missions of child protection, support for young adults and support care of refugees. “The teams guarantee a dignified and respectful welcome to people who often have a painful journey”, underlines the mayor, Jeanne Barseghian.
With an annual budget of approximately 16 million euros and nearly 175 employees, the AFND knows how to adapt quickly to emergencies. “Organizing in a few days the reception of Ukrainians driven out by the war was a highlight, recalls Antoine Breining. We are a hundred years old, but we are looking to the future: a reflection is opening up to develop new areas of activities, in line with the needs of society.

Lisette Gries
Photos: Charles Urban – Studio Doppio and Abdesslam Mirdass

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