Toulouse. La Casèla: A new solidarity space for all women in precarious situations
By Yasmine Amadiou
Published on
At the initiative of Secours Catholique, La Casela is a day center for isolated, wandering or poorly housed women. The space opened its doors on Monday February 21, 2022 at 6 bis boulevard du Maréchal Leclerc near Compans Caffarelli.
“A space of fraternity for all women”
Since its opening, the Casela offers a hearty breakfast every morning from Monday to Friday for these women and their children, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
And for the coming weeks, the establishment plans to set up cooking, laundry and even hairdressing workshops. The opportunity to create real social ties between them and the team present on site.
“We want to give them that power to act that they have lost. They could step out of their role as moms for a few moments and land here.”
Beneficiaries also have access to a social and administrative support. The team of volunteers offers support for all administrative procedures as well as training in French language. The establishment also offers access to showers, a play area and a dormitory for children from less than three years.
A very supported initiative
If this “fraternity space” was able to see the light of day, it is also thanks to many blows. La Casèla particularly underlined the help of the statefrom county councilof Toulouse town hall as well as the Haute-Garonne family allowance fund to fund this project. The work was also done by a former homeless man who has since set up his business in the construction industry. La Casèla was also able to count on a painting company and an interior decorator who offered their help.
“Places like this are quite unifying, people want to participate and help”.
“The goal is for everyone to take ownership of the place”
The many workshops enabled these women in need to belong to collective and be transformed actors of the organization. Each will be able to propose their ideas for creative workshops, creation of discussion groups and even to become volunteers in turn.
“We want these women to really take ownership of the premises and why not have them access to the governance of the establishment”.
The team of volunteers is made up of 30 women to meet the needs of beneficiaries. Donations are accepted and the association is still in need of new people who would like to help. To contact the Casela you can head straight to Andrew Nguyen at 06 85 62 61 58 or to the switchboard at 05 34 25 67 40.
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