Since 2016, a parish group from Saint John Bosco has been working to restore hope to Young refugee women.
On Easter Sunday, 2016, Pope Francis called for an unprecedented wave of solidarity towards migrants and refugees. In the weeks that followed, parishioners of Saint Jean Bosco (Paris 20ecreate Crossroads.
These parishioners welcome women refugees to help them prepare their applications and interviews with the OFPRA (French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons) and the CNDA (National Court of Asylum) and to offer them comfort and human warmth. Through personalized, time-unlimited support, the goal is to assist young refugee women daily with their administrative procedures and the resumption of their school or university studies, while ensuring they share moments of conviviality. Some may receive occasional financial support. Most of the time, they have fled their countries due to political, religious, or ethnic persecution, for belonging to a social group, or because of serious threats, as in Syria, Tibet, or Ukraine...
Our actions
- Support and follow-up for refugees, with a priority given to young women and students. Each individual is assigned a caseworker to help them with their daily lives and to facilitate integration, even after obtaining refugee status (housing, vocational training, employment, cultural visits, etc.).
- Organization of a festive day for refugees.
- Learning the French language, in conjunction with other existing structures.
Our research
We are looking for volunteers
- To expand the team & support the refugees entrusted to us daily,
- To support us in our actions, give language lessons, provide academic support, help with moving, do DIY,
- To multiply moments of sharing, cooking classes, shared meals, and visits to introduce Paris and the regions of France.
Our needs
- D’un soutien financier, mensuel ou ponctuel. Vos dons donnent droit à une réduction d’impôts sur le revenu de 66% dans la limite de vos revenus imposables.
- Of computer hardware or mobile telephony.
- Job offers (childcare or eldercare, cleaning, etc.), payment for which is facilitated by the Chèque Emploi Services.
Our successes
In 2023, La Croisée des Chemins volunteers are supporting a dozen protected individuals, offering them comfort and human warmth. It's so satisfying to see them gradually regain their footing. And what a joy it is to help them achieve their dreams.
Here are a few examples:
- U, Tibetan, holding a CAP pastry diploma, has found a permanent contract position in a bakery-pastry shop in Paris. She is currently looking for an apartment.
- Y, Tibetan, having learned French in record time, is successfully pursuing nursing studies and is about to take her driving test.
- Although denied, Z, Guinean, she obtained her Master's degree (Master 2) in International Law with an average grade of 14. Her determination remains intact, as she is continuing with a Master's degree in Private Law.
- S, She, Ivorian, was hired on a permanent contract in a major ready-to-wear chain in La Défense. She obtained social housing.
- After several seasonal contracts at RATP, where the quality of his/her work was praised, K, Guinean, was hired as station manager after obtaining her degree in human resources. Her three daughters were finally able to join her in France. However, they quickly need to find a new housing solution, as the real estate pressure linked to the Olympic Games is forcing them out of their apartment…
- Z, After obtaining her degree in international law, the Afghan woman completed an internship in refugee law at ACAT. Following this internship, she obtained a permanent contract at the Union of Exiled Students. She has her own apartment.
Contacts
Suzanne Roubeyrie, President, tel. 06 66 19 83 03
Guillaume Tesson, Communications Manager: 06 07 83 08 29
Jean-Marie Haumonté, Treasurer
