We may all find ourselves alone one day. Moreover, the Little Brothers of the Poor support around forty elderly people in Antibes. The term “aged” is rather broad because, when she used the association's services, Cathy was just over 52 years old. She had just left the Parisian suburbs to enjoy the sweetness of the Côte d'Azur. Unfortunately, his marriage ends and the divorce that follows is complicated.
Cathy finds herself on the street, her cat in her arms and two suitcases at her feet. “I still had a little bit of money aside, so I was able to take out a short rental. Then a second one, with my fingers crossed, before taking steps to find a host. As I am in a situation of 'disability, no one wanted to house me'she says.
“I can never thank them enough”
In Île-de-France, Cathy was a volunteer for the Little Brothers of the Poor. She therefore decides to open their door to Antibes but, this time, as someone to help. “They opened their arms to me and found accommodation. They saved my life. It may be a strong word but it's true. I can never thank them enough”she smiled.
In addition to having found a home, Cathy is now surrounded. “We all know each other here”she said, pointing to a table at the Institution restaurant in Juan-les-Pins. It is in this establishment that the Antibes branch of the Little Brothers of the Poor organized its traditional Christmas meal yesterday, bringing together around thirty beneficiaries and volunteers. “We think that the people helped have always been poor or in misery. In fact, anyone can find themselves in a very precarious situation from one day to the next,” assure Cathy.
“It makes me feel good too”
Next to her, Elsa, the association's treasurer, nods. She has been volunteering there for four years. “When I lost my last grandparents, I realized that they had gone too soon”she analyzes. Since her business studies, Elsa has always given her time to an association. After these personal tragedies, she decided to do it for elderly people.
For three years, she visited a man placed in a nursing home, once a week. “He passed away this summer but I continue to get involved because this association is important to me. We are not going to hide our faces: it does me good too”she adds.
The only child of divorced parents, even though she is well looked after, Elsa feels alone. And this void is also filled thanks to its associative commitment.
How to join them
To contact the Little Brothers of the Poor of Antibes, you can call 04 93 67 41 69 or go to petitfreresdespauvres.fr/devenir-benevole.
The association is always looking for volunteers for various missions: running the premises, morning duty, planning outings and vacation stays, administrative help, interviews with new volunteers, visiting and evaluating elderly people, supporting beneficiaries, etc.
