After seven years of existence, the Maison de l’autisme de Mulhouse has expanded, while undergoing a facelift. A necessity to respond to the growth of the structure and develop new services.
This is a new chapter for the Maison de l’autisme de Mulhouse (MAM). Created in 2017 by a small group of autistic adults determined to help their peers better integrate into society, the “small” association has grown steadily to reach 120 members, who could no longer be accommodated optimally in the original premises. The MAM therefore decided to take the bull by the horns by almost doubling the surface area of its premises on rue d’Illzach, increasing it from 150 to 250 m², while bringing the premises up to today’s standards. After three months of work between January and April, the “new” Maison de l’autisme was officially inaugurated. “The idea is to offer more comfortable and functional premises in a pleasant environment that is suitable for everyone. “The expansion will allow us to develop new services and activities,” says Emilie Marmol, president of MAM.
Socialization, autonomy and professional integration
Thermal insulation, soundproofing, painting, additional activity room, quiet space, offices for employees (a coordinator, two facilitators, a fundraiser in charge of fundraising)… The cost of the work amounts to 75,000 euros, of which 54,000 euros are financed by the Arconic Foundation. The first mutual aid group (GEM) in France to welcome autistic people when it opened seven years ago, and still the only structure of this type in the department, the MAM still has the same objectives: “The socialization, autonomy and professional integration of autistic adults through the organization of activities and workshops (DIY, cooking, painting, etc.) and by providing premises (Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.),” summarizes Gaël Le Dorze, coordinator of the association. We are not a medical-social structure, we do not offer support. At the Maison de l’autisme, you can come whenever you want, without an appointment. We want to bring people together to meet and share moments. The expansion of the premises will allow us to develop our range of services: relaxation, projects with caregivers, parenting support, individualized support, etc.
By the end of 2024-beginning of 2025, a specialist educator should thus strengthen the MAM team, which has been offering discussion groups for carers, particularly parents, for several months now, in response to the younger population attending this home which is not quite like the others.
+ info: Mulhouse Autism Center, 120 rue d’Illzach. 09 54 05 04 56 – maisonautismemulhouse.org
