Paris: a Resto du coeur for young people opens in the premises of the former town hall of the 1st
A Resto du cœur, more specifically intended for under 25s, opened this Thursday afternoon in front of the Louvre (Ist), in the premises of the former district town hall which has been hosting the Youth Quarter (QJ) since September, the youth center created by the city of Paris. “The health crisis has really shown that we need to help young people, not only by offering them food but also by offering them social support to break the isolation”, observes Patrice Douret, president of the Eating from the heart.
The fourth place for young people
After the Resto inaugurated at the Cité internationale (14th century) in June 2020, the one installed at the Crous at Porte de Clignancourt (18th century) and the one at Porte des Lilas created two weeks ago, the Resto du cœur de QJ, whose premises are graciously made available by the City, is the fourth place open in Paris for less than 25 years by the association founded by Coluche. Deputy mayor of Paris in charge of solidarity, Léa Filoche (Génération. S), says it loud and clear: “It is about providing a specific response to young people in a place where they feel comfortable, where they are not stigmatized and where no one will come and tell them that they are costing a hell of a lot of money! “
“There’s no shame”
Youth Assistant, Hélène Bidard (PCF) continues: “QJ also hosts the CIDJ (Youth Information and Documentation Center), a local mission, a health center… So many structures that dare to raise the issue of food insecurity and which will direct those who need it to this new Resto du cœur where we are going to install refrigerated display cases and racks for fruits and vegetables ”.
An architecture student, Freddy, 25, went back to the maid’s room that he rents in the 19th century, with a package from Restaurants containing dairy products, canned goods, fruit … While specifying that his parents help him pay the rent, he confides: “There’s no shame, it doesn’t bother me, but it’s the first time I’ve come to the Restos du cœur”.
QJ’s heart restaurant is open every Thursday from noon to 7 p.m.