ESC: SJ/ESC63 The real story behind Arzeliers castle - HEAL

AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATION : Villages des Jeunes, regional delegation of Solidarités Jeunesses in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region The Villages des Jeunes act for the social integration and the participation of all volunteers as a part of its action, in particular helping the socially disadvantaged, locally, nationally and internationally. Its objective is to allow people from different social and cultural situations to work together at something useful. To enable this, the association runs two international hosting centres, the Faï farm and the hamlet of Vaunières. From these places, the association leads various types of activities (workcamps for disadvantaged people and volunteers, hosting events promoting social and international exchange…), which bring together people of different nationalities and cultures (volunteers, families, holiday makers), through several activities (decorating the buildings, environmental work, hospitality work, cultural activities, raising awareness about key issues such as environment), which operate within different areas both social and professional (such as vocational training, restoring abandoned buildings, preserving the buildings and the environment and thus the heritage of these places, supporting local projects and stimulating local social activities). http://www.villagesdesjeunes.org/ TARGET GROUP OF THE ASSOCIATION People (adults and teenagers) victims of exclusions, marginalized or living in precarious situations and international volunteers. PROJECTS: In Vaunières and the Faï, the association carries out different projects: Reception of groups and individuals: The reception activity is one of the most important ones, especially during summer holidays. Many groups, families and hikers stay at the centres, either to take part in renovation and construction activities or simply to take a holiday. Some other people also come for specific projects such as festivals and intercultural exchanges. Projects with people experiencing difficulties: In Vaunières, we host 3 to 4 teenagers faced with social and family difficulties all year through. The teenagers stay a few months with us, they take part in collective life and renovation work and we help them with their individuals projects. We also organise specific projects (trainings, holidays...) for young people who have dropped school, isolated mothers with their children, drug addicts, autistic people... These people stay with us for a few days. They come to discover a new environment, meet new people and to take time for themselves. Inclusion – training programme (Chantier d’insertion / Chantier école) Every year, this action targets ten to twelve local people confronted with social and professional difficulties. The people who take part in this action are salaried on a part time basis, they come to work 4 days a week. They contribute to the renovation work of the centres and help us with the reception of groups. International workcamps At the Faï and Vaunières or in the villages nearby, the association organises international youth workcamps in the period between April and October. Every year, these workcamps involve numerous volunteers coming from all over the world. ACTIVITIES Our actions are based on various pédagogical activities that allow everyone to participate, depending on their age, their desires and their abilities: - building heritage renovation projects - environmental preservation and enhancement projects - cooking and processing workshops - vegetable garden maintenance, animal care - organization of music and visual arts festivals - discovery of the mountain environment OPENING PERIOD Vaunières is opened form January to Décember The Faï centre is opened from April to Octobre.