Le Manteau : more needs, less means
Created in 1998 in the aftermath of Hurricane Luis, the association Le Manteau remains the sole refuge for those who are the most needy. "We provide for basic needs: eating, sleeping, showering," explained Audrey Gil, the CHRS Director.
In 2006, the Association was approved for day and night accommodation. The men are therefore accommodated on the upper floor and women in the old laundry room. But the buildings - the former Hospital made available by the Collectivité - do not comply with standards in order to maintain mixed-gender accommodation. The management then decided in 2014 to only accommodate women and their children, who are considered to be more vulnerable in the street than men. At Concordia, psychological counselling is provided for women who are victims of violence, with walk-in hours every Thursday from 10 am to noon.
Day accommodation, however, remains available to all. In addition to meals (breakfast and lunch) prepared on the premises, showers, clean clothing, and laundry services, the association offers various free workshops: computing, gardening, cooking, activities for children and homework assistance.
The twelve employees of Le Manteau accommodated 256 people in 2014, compared to 181 in 2013. Generally speaking, all sectors have increased, including welfare support and domiciliation certificates - there are many who live in unhealthy and undeclared places.
Whether it is an increase in poverty or confidence in the association, the result is the same: the multiplication of needs, but not the means. The association is subsidized by the State, receives the help of a few foundations (Rottary, Lion's Club, Walichi) and survives thanks to donated food (Super U, Leader Price and Carrefour Market, and two churches of the island). But this is not enough. "We must find ways to cut the budget", regretfully declared Audrey Gil. In addition to a decline in its payroll and a month of closure in 2014 due to a lack of budget, the association must now ask for the participation of its users: "We ask for between one and two euros per person and per night, depending on whether they work or not, and a dollar for the laundry service". Since October 2015, inhabitants from the Dutch side are no longer accepted.
Le Manteau is tightening its belt and hopes for new funds in 2016 in order to achieve various projects. "We try to focus on professional insertion. But often there are a lot of things to work on beforehand"
Rediscovering how to eat sitting down, feel the need to wash, respect schedules… the road to reintegration is long. "We have ideas, skills and projects. Everything would be very good if we had the money".
* Center for accommodation and social reintegration
