OUR MISSION

At the heart of the deprived areas of the Côte d’Azur, Bras Ouverts provides for the essential needs of people in difficulty:
– Food, clothing, furnishings
– Welcome, assistance, help with legal rights and access to culture
– Developing capabilities and autonomy

 

As an independent charity under the 1901 legislation, Bras Ouverts works together with the social services and other charities. The income generated by its different operations meets most of the charity’s financial needs, which also benefit from public subsidies.

OUR HISTORY

In 2002, wanting to help the very needy, a few friends got together to open up a drop-in centre for food and clothing in Grasse, at 1 Place aux Aires. In January 2003, the charity was registered at the Sub-prefecture in Grasse by its president, Claire Anjou, with the aim of working to transform and develop the deprived areas of the Côte d’Azur.

 

In July 2006, a second drop-in centre opened in Vallauris, at 4 Rue Clément Bel. This moved in January 2012 to 7 Boulevard du Docteur Jacques Ugo.

2003 – 1 Place aux Aires in Grasse

2006 – 4 rue Clément Bel in Vallauris

In March 2015, to meet the needs of its clients in basic furniture and electrical appliances, Bras Ouverts opened a first furniture depot at 59bis Ave. Georges Clémenceau in Vallauris. This moved in 2016 to no. 55 of the same avenue, in a larger building.

On the 1st September 2015, the drop-in centre in Grasse moved into 12 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, opposite the Sub-prefecture.
In October 2016, the charity Book Café welcomed its first visitors in Vallauris, next door to the furniture shop.

OUR ACTION

SHARING – MUTUAL AID – SOLIDARITY

By meeting with people from very different cultural and social backgrounds, Bras Ouverts promotes sharing, mutual aid and solidarity.

RESPECT DES DIFFERENCES

Bras Ouverts welcomes all persons regardless of status origin, education, path, age, sex, religion or opinion, within its teams or among its beneficiaries. These differences are, by experience, sources of mutual enrichment.

ENCOURAGEMENT TOWARDS AUTONOMY AND CITIZENSHIP

Bras Ouverts encourages its beneficiaries to be responsible actors for change in their own circumstances and in their neighbourhoods.

LOCAL COMMITMENT AND TRANSPARENCY

Bras Ouverts works locally. All donations to the charity are destined for needy people in the communes of Vallauris Golfe Juan, Grasse and the surrounding areas.

Our teams

VOLUNTEERS AND EMPLOYEES

Bras Ouverts functions with mixed teams (paid employees and volunteers) who work together in a spirit of friendship and solidarity. Each one carries the values of the charity, and engages in different roles like food distribution and collection, administration, cultural and musical activities, and academic support.

Do you want to join our teams?

Join our teams

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL

President
Claire Anjou

Secretary
Anne-Marie Goossens

Treasurer
Arnaud Baxas

Administrator
Evelyne Dietrich