France: ESC: Accompany young people in great difficulty in their schooling, education, leisure and integration - Ste Thérèse

About the local hosting organization

Apprentis d’Auteuil is a Catholic Foundation, which was founded in 1866, and is recognized since 1929 by the French State as a foundation of public utility, acting in close proximity to children, young people and their families in vulnerable situations in more than 240 services in France. The Foundation’s goal is to give every young person, of any geographical, cultural and social origin, the chance of receiving a good education and training, enabling him or her to find their place in society, helping them directly and supporting their family. Over 150 years, Apprentis d’Auteuil has constantly evolved to meet the challenges of the times and prevent exclusion. Every day, over 5.500 employees and as many volunteers, including 1.000 who are regular volunteers, support over 25.000 young people and their families. The organisation operates in the fields of child protection, education, training and insertion and support of families in their parental role. 1 - Child protection At the request of departmental councils, Apprentis d’Auteuil takes in children and adolescents in danger or at risk. The reception arrangements are wide-ranging and depending on the situation, can cover anything from at-home support to comprehensive care of very unstructured young people. In the vast majority of placements, links with the parents are actively encouraged, or even re-built. This mission extends to unaccompanied minors considered at risk due to the lack of legal representation in French territory. Over 1.300 unaccompanied minors are taken in by Apprentis d’Auteuil. 2 – Education (Fighting school dropout rates) In all its schools and high schools, Apprentis d’Auteuil has developed appropriate educational solutions for vulnerable young people and specific re-boot programmes allowing them to return to a traditional school cursus after a few weeks. Through its educational boarding schools, young people have accommodation and receive strong educational support to let them get their bearings and re-learn the rules, particularly in the key period of schooling from the age of 11-15. 3 – Training and Insertion Programs Alongside schooling in its vocational high schools or general education, the Foundation offers training through apprenticeships to those who are really struggling in school and likely to leave school without a diploma. For young people without qualifications or family support, Apprentis d’Auteuil’s professionals offer social support, schemes to help them choose a career, refresher courses for further education and help to access housing and healthcare. 4 – Support to families (Parenthood) By developing nurseries, social residences, mother and child venues and Open Family Homes, we help parents make the right educational choices from early childhood, to become aware of their skills and take ownership of their responsibilities. All actions to preserve the quality of the family relationship and prevent the occurrence of major difficulties. EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL ACTION At the international level, the ambition of Apprentis d’Auteuil is to act, everyday more and more, with other actors in the field of education and insertion throughout the world, and together, provide adequate solutions to the needs of vulnerable young people and families. Its international activity rests on two main pillars: (1) working in partnership, in alliance; (2) acting on the basis of its educational project and its action in France. At its level and in its own way, Apprentis d’Auteuil contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, and to the implementation of the International Convention of the Rights of the Child (ICRC). In Europe, more particularly, Apprentis d’Auteuil builds and maintains partnerships with counterpart actors and is active in European networks, with the goal of sharing best practices and knowledge on shared issues and fostering innovation in order to improve its work. Since 1993, Apprentis d’Auteuil has thus implemented projects funded by the European Union, aiming at improving the training, employability, and inclusion of the young people and families supported in the services of the Foundation, promoting their openness to other cultures, languages and European populations as well as promoting skill development of professionals.

Presentation of the programme

Apprentis d'Auteuil is a Foundation of over 300 youth centres, welcoming, educating and supporting 40,000 young people in difficulty and their families, helping them build confidence and find their place professionally and personally. The Sainte-Thérèse School Group supports middle and high school students and apprentices, with a focus on preventing school dropout, educational climate and inclusion. The volunteer will take part in the educational life of the institution and support young people daily. They will: - Welcome and integrate students; - Support students during school activities; - Organise educational, cultural or sporting activities; - Foster intercultural exchanges; - Participate in prevention initiatives; - Support students' autonomy and self-confidence; - Contribute to a positive school climate. Based at 92-98 Boulevard Victor Hugo, Clichy-la-Garenne.

About the accomodation

Accommodation will likely be provided at the Marcel Callo Youth Residence in Versailles (to be confirmed), located about 20 minutes from the school by public transport. Within the building, you will have access to a common area with other young people. If unavailable, another housing option will be arranged and proposed to the volunteer, with access to a kitchen, a private room and shared facilities.

About the leisure activities

The French national agency for ESC projects will run 2 seminars in which the volunteer will be invited to take part. Also, you will have access to the OLS platform which offers online french trainings during your mission. Apprentis d’Auteuil also provides training such as « how to animate an activity on education for citizenship and international solidarity ».

Requirements

The Participant profile: We are looking for a dynamic, caring and open-minded person with an interest in intercultural exchange, who enjoys teamwork and working with young people. Experience in youth work, education, sport, cultural activities or supporting young people will be valued. The volunteer should demonstrate attentiveness, adaptability and commitment, and be fluent in French.Deadline: