Communications teacher and Sciences-Po graduate, Nancy-born Hélène Franoux supports the movement of “For them” marauders by distributing free meals to the unfortunate people on the tarmac.
Antoine PETRY – Today at 06:00
In the evening, when leaving the homeless people who were promised a night in the street and the cold, she sometimes hears herself saying “Good luck”, addressed by those left behind on the sidewalk. “A shame,” smiles Hélène Franoux. As paradoxical as it is offbeat, the message of affection reflects the bond forged between this atypical communications teacher at the IUT of Nancy-Brabois and the dozens of unfortunate people to whom she regularly delivers meals on the sidewalk. Messages on WhatsApp and SMS punctuate his daily life. On the asphalt, the idle people recognize her and call her by her first name.
“Standing around when everything is falling apart? »
Since 2020, the bubbly forty-year-old has taken the initiative to create and support a donation movement in Nancy in order to provide, as much as possible, meals to the homeless. The dishes are often prepared by individuals in their homes, with the support of associations, restaurants and sometimes establishments. Forged by links on social networks which make it possible to reactively bring together initiatives, the “For them” movement intends to make its contribution.
A few drops of water in the ocean of street misery ? Without a doubt. “But at some point, we also have to question our own role. Can we stand by and do nothing while everything around us is collapsing? It’s a question of choice. For my part, cooking a few pots of pasta and handing them out isn’t much,” explains this Sciences-Po Paris graduate. Hélène Franoux joins and accompanies the dozens of volunteers for the anonymous “maraude” tours who take turns. “Providing help is also the translation of values that are dear to us. Being useful, too, is nice.” Launched around confinement, the support was structured. But the crisis of recent months is making itself felt. “Often, individuals who brought meals tell me: with inflation, I can no longer, I give to my children before giving to the homeless”
“Social assistance processes are too long”
The contrast of her smiling, toned profile of a woman well in her sneakers, with the harshness of the street? She is aware of it. “But in my private or professional life, I have opted for a human-to-human relationship. With simplicity. I speak to them as if they were neighborhood neighbors with whom we enjoy talking.” The close relationship warms up relationships and helps unblock situations. It often happens that his personal phone rings in the evening, with social distress calls, while the family is watching TV. “What is vital is to provide rapid support. The first nights on the street are terrible and often cause an irreversible decline. Social assistance processes in France are valuable, but often too long to be decisive. By the time institutionalized state support arrives, the young person may already have been drawn into a spiral. There is an urgent need to act quickly to reach out”
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