Since the drop in temperatures in Nice, the “Red Cross” and “Les Restos du Cลur” are doing everything they can to support the homeless within the city of Nice.
Despite the deserted streets in the city of Nice due to the curfew starting at 6 p.m., the few homeless people present remain discreet in the corners of the main squares or the rare bridges of the city. This is an immersion in the outreach efforts led by volunteers with big hearts.
The “Red Cross,” health first and foremost
Under a temperature of around 4ยฐC, the “Red Cross” begins its evening with the fundamental mission of first aid. On this Tuesday evening, the team of three volunteers starts at their usual spot, the bridges around the Palais des Expositions. Exceptionally accompanied by the sub-prefect, Patricia Valma, and the departmental director of social cohesion, Hervรฉ Demai, the “Red Cross” spots a first homeless person lying on a damaged and uncomfortable sofa. Under a pile of duvets, Robert Gury, 64, is about to spend a night in the streets of Nice. Despite the cold, faced with the colorful vests of the “Red Cross” and the presence of the sub-prefect, the homeless man feels at ease, sociable, and even manages a touch of humor by asking: “where is the Prefect hiding?” Despite the homeless man’s tense face due to the cold, Kilian Camunez, a “Red Cross” volunteer, observes a usual situation. With people like this, the goal is redirection, although this step remains complex, as the volunteer explains: “We try to redirect people, assess the situation, but the administrative procedures are slow, and shelters are often full”. While interactions can sometimes be complicated with the homeless, Robert Gury seems to appreciate the social contact, which is rare in his life. Conversation is what the man, battered by life, desires. With a beanie and a lit cigarette, he would like to change his situation: “I messed up in my life, but I’ve been asking for individual housing for 12 years and still haven’t received a response”. In the eyes of the volunteers and the discovery of a new duvet, it’s time for exchange.
“Les Restos du Cลur,” a touch of warmth in the cold
A bit later in the evening, the “Restos du Cลur” outreach also goes into action. A truck full of sleeping bags, a coffee maker, and big hearts are the ingredients for an ideal evening. With Marion Strobino in charge, the team of volunteers stops whenever they see someone on the street. While tomorrow the volunteers will be busy distributing food supplies, this winter evening is dedicated to distributing hot snacks and sleeping bags. Despite having only three volunteers, the association can count on numerous donations, something appreciated by Marion Strobino: “People make a lot of donations. We have, for example, 350 sleeping bags to distribute. Donations allow us to increase the number of homeless people we reach, we see 30 to 40 per evening, and it’s thanks to donations.” The association benefits from generous donations, as well as the “115” hotline, putting “Les Restos du Cลur” directly into action when exceptional cases are reported. Verbal exchanges, pleasantries, and dialogues are calm and benevolent between volunteers and people in need. Broad smiles close the short conversations.
Learn all about “Les Restos du Cลur” here: https://www.restosducoeur.org/
