Apprentis d'Auteuil - Lyon
For over 160 years, the Apprentis d'Auteuil Association has been supporting young people in difficulty through programs of reception, education, training, and integration. These actions, carried out both in France and internationally, aim to help these young individuals become free and fulfilled adults ready to face tomorrow’s challenges. The association focuses on five main areas: child protection, education and schooling, training and social and professional integration, family support, and advocacy for youth.
Within this framework, the Saint-Bruno Residence, located in Vaulx-en-Velin (69), plays a key role in supporting vulnerable families. The residence has specialized for several years in the reception and support of families in need, including couples with children and single-parent families. It is particularly recognized for its parenting support, with special attention to families from different cultures and young parents, especially in the context of mother-child placements.
The first 1000 days of a child, from pregnancy to the child’s second year, are crucial for their social, emotional, and cognitive development. However, many parents in vulnerable situations are unable to provide an environment conducive to healthy development. Therefore, early intervention is essential to support these parents in their educational and parenting roles. The goal is to provide a secure material and emotional environment to stabilize the child-parent relationship and ensure the well-being of the entire family.
The Project Supported by the bioMérieux Endowment Fund
The bioMérieux Endowment Fund supports an innovative project led by the Saint-Bruno Residence, aimed at taking action during the first 1000 days of a child. The project involves setting up an experimental parenting center, designed to intervene early to prevent child protection issues and enable children to grow up in a safe environment that meets all their needs (educational, emotional, material, and housing-related).
The overall objective of the project is to prevent situations of vulnerability by providing personalized and sustained support to families, ensuring that children can develop in optimal conditions. The center’s mission is to help parents stabilize their emotional and material situation so that their children can grow up in an environment conducive to their development.
Activities Proposed by the Project
This ambitious project focuses on several key areas of support, designed to meet the specific needs of vulnerable families and ensure the child’s well-being during the crucial early years:
1. Support for education and care: This first area aims to help parents in their daily educational roles. It includes close support on essential issues such as feeding, sleep, child development, and practical advice on "learning to do" and "learning to care" for their child.
2. Support for becoming a parent: The project also provides spaces dedicated to supporting parents through the transition from a couple to a family. This includes referrals to structures like the Maison des familles and specific support to help parents maintain a harmonious relationship.
3. Support for social and professional integration: A crucial part of the project is fostering the social and professional integration of parents. This includes actions to facilitate access to employment, stable housing, and financial support to help families with their budget management and achieve greater economic stability.
4. Physical and mental health of the family: This aspect focuses on the holistic support of the family, with particular attention to the physical and mental health of the parents. The project includes assessments, ongoing support, and referrals for specialized care when needed.
Essential Support for the Future of Children and Parents
The project implemented by the Saint-Bruno Residence, supported by the bioMérieux Endowment Fund is based on the idea that taking care of parents is essential for them to be able to better care for their children. By intervening during the first 1000 days of a child’s life and providing comprehensive support to vulnerable families, the goal is to break the cycle of poverty and provide children with a secure environment filled with love, education, and the resources needed for their well-being and development.
This program provides a vital lifeline for struggling families, offering them the tools for a more stable and fulfilling future, respecting the fundamental needs of each child and parent.