Brilio.net/en -Paris has been famous for their sympathy to the homeless population, and they have taken initiative on doing something new in their communities. A local resident Louis-Xavier Leca introduced a pilot project he named Le Carillon, which gives free services to the homeless around the 11th arrondissement. For the project he collaborates with small businesses in the area, which put stickers on their shops windows indicating their support.
Each sticker features an icon of the free service provided, such as toilet use, hot meal, glass of water, haircut, phone charging, reheat food, use first aid kit, making emergency phone call or sending emails. Shops can put whichever stickers to match whichever service they could provide, and anyone who needs it can come to ask for the service without being ashamed anymore.
Image via changemakers
Le Carillon is the name of the caf that was the target in the terrorist attack last autumn. Either the name choosing was a coincidence or with purpose, the initial project started officially in November 2015 and aim to help foster the people in need in the community. Still, participating shops have a right to refuse those who come under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If they cant behave, the shopkeepers will tell them to [leave] and come back later, Leca says, as reported by Citylab.
According to Leca, many shopkeepers wanted to help the homeless around but they didnt know how to reach out. Some places already open their doors to the homeless, but there was no way to distinguish which place would welcome them and which would say no. This project is like a bridge between the shops and the homeless, and the relationship between them is mutual.
Image via changemakers
Moreover, nearby neighborhoods and cities have taken interest in the project. About 100 cities in France had called him for further expansion. Leca hopes by September this year Le Carillon can be applied in five more districts in Paris, five cities in France, and possibly in Belgium and London. His next goal is to bring this idea to the United States.
(brl/red)
