Help and support. The last few months have been trying for everyone. But for the most disadvantaged, the Covid-19 pandemic and confinement have had implications far beyond health issues. The loss of an already precarious job, the insalubriousness of housing that became intolerable when everyone had to stay at home… For all these people, new needs have arisen: food support, first and foremost, but also educational support for the youngest, professional support or, quite simply, human support.

Continuity of action, an immediate imperative

Since March 17 and the announcement of the lockdown, Break Poverty and its partners have mobilized to help and support as many vulnerable families as possible with these new needs, with one imperative: to leave no one behind.

In Romans-sur-Isère, food and social support are at the core of the mission of the Social and Educational Grocery, an association supported by Break Poverty. Beneficiaries typically visit the association’s premises to do their shopping at a lower cost, guided by a volunteer who helps them work on a long-term plan to lift themselves out of poverty.

However, during the lockdown, it was impossible to welcome disadvantaged families into the cramped premises of the association. The volunteers and staff organized drop-in sessions outside their location. In just a few weeks, no fewer than 650 food baskets were distributed to families in need. A few weeks after the lockdown was lifted, the grocery store gradually resumed its activities to prepare for a school year that will be unlike any other.

#EmergencyConnection : preventing dropouts, whatever the cost

In the Paris region, the Le Rocher association has also set an example. This association, based in the priority neighborhoods of several major French cities, immediately adapted its activities. As a beneficiary of Break Poverty’s #ConnexiondUrgence operation, the association was able to receive and redistribute dozens of computers and Internet connections to young people in their neighborhoods who, for lack of equipment, had lost all links with school. In addition to this equipment, 400 volunteers provided almost 10,000 hours of tutoring. The aim was to give each young person in difficulty one hour of individual tutoring a day.

In all, over 16,000 computers have been distributed to young people like those followed by Le Rocher. The stakes behind this operation are high: to prevent at all costs a massive wave of school dropouts that could doom these young people.

And now ?

Break Poverty’s mobilization continues over the summer, with a number of new initiatives. For example, from July 4 to August 31, young people who don’t go on vacation can be welcomed in schools supported by our organization. On the program: cultural activities, academic reinforcement to catch up on confinement and sports activities.

The start of the new school year promises to be difficult for many vulnerable families. Our teams are already ready to launch new programs, particularly for disadvantaged young people. In September, Break Poverty will be launching new programs in a number of cities, including Nantes, Béthune, Bordeaux and Villefontaine. All with the same objective in mind: to leave no young person behind.