Since the fall in temperatures in Nice, the “Red Cross” and “Les Restos du Cœur” have been trying by all means to support the homeless in the city of Nice.
Despite the deserted streets in the city of Nice due to a curfew from 6 p.m., the few homeless people present are discreet in the corners of the main squares or the rare bridges in the city. Immersion in marauding led by big-hearted volunteers.
The “Red Cross”, health above all
Under a temperature of around 4 °, the “Red Cross” begins its evening with first aid as its fundamental mission. This Tuesday evening, the team of three volunteers begins with a usual corner, the bridges around the Palais des Expositions. Accompanied exceptionally by the sub-prefect, Patricia Valma, and the departmental director of social cohesion, Hervé Demai, the “Red Cross” spotted a first homeless person lying in a damaged and uncomfortable sofa. Under a mountain of quilts, Robert Gury, 64, is preparing to spend a night in the streets of Nice. Faced with the colored vests of the “Red Cross”, and the presence of the sub-prefect, the homeless person is at ease, sociable and even allows himself a touch of humor by asking: “Where is the Prefect hiding?” Despite the face contorted by the homeless by the cold, Kilian Camunez, volunteer of the “Red Cross” notes a usual situation. Faced with this kind of individual, the objective is to reorientate even if this step remains complex as the volunteer explains: “we try to reorient people, assess the situation but the administrative procedures are slow and the accommodation centers are often crowded“. While the approaches are sometimes complicated with the homeless, Robert Gury, seems to appreciate the social contact, extremely rare in his life. To speak, this is what the man wants, damaged by the life wishes. Hat and lit cigarette, he would like to change his situation: “I screwed up in my life, but I’ve been asking for individual accommodation for 12 years and I still have no answer”. Faced with the looks of the volunteers and the discovery of a new duvet, it is time to exchange.
The “Restos du Cœur”, a touch of heat in the cold
A little later in the evening, the “Restos du Cœur” marauding also takes over. Truck filled with sleeping bags, coffee maker and big heart are the ingredients for an ideal evening. With Marion Strobino at the helm, the team of volunteers stop whenever they see someone on the street. While tomorrow the volunteers will be busy transmitting food, this winter evening is intended for the distribution of hot snacks as well as sleeping bags. Despite three volunteers, the association can count on numerous donations, something appreciated by Marion Strobinoi: “People make a lot of donations. For example, we have 350 sleeping bags to give back. Donations increase the number of homeless people, we see 30 to 40 per evening, it is thanks to donations.” The association benefits from generous donations but also from the “115” putting the “Restos du Cœur” directly into orbit in an exceptional case to report. Verbal exchanges, courtesies, dialogues are calm and benevolent between volunteers and people in need. Wide smiles end the short conversations.
All you need to know about “Restos du Cœur”here: https://www.restosducoeur.org/
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