A look back at the activities of the Stëmm vun der Strooss in 2020

The year 2020 has not been an easy one and the unexpected pandemic COVID19 required a quick and efficient restructuring of the different services to help those in need. In mid-March, the 170 people in vocational rehabilitation stayed at home and the Stëmm vun der Strooss worked exclusively with its employees in reduced teams.

It is important to note that throughout the lockdown, the association never had to close its doors and continued to offer access to food to all those in need by serving free meals on the pavement. Unfortunately the social link could not be preserved at the usual level because of the rules of distancing. Throughout the year, the Stëmm vun der Strooss served 101,190 meals, i.e. -7.7% compared to 2019, which is related to the 3 months when meals were offered for free and not included in the statistics.

It should also be noted that the accommodation of the residents of the post-therapeutic workshop in Schoenfels was guaranteed throughout the entire period and that a total of 4,672 different people made use of the various services provided by the Stëmm vun der Strooss. More details can be found in the Activity Report 2020, which can be downloaded from the Stëmm vun der Strooss website.

Despite a difficult year, the association was able to realize some important projects thanks to the support of the Ministry of Health and the generosity of numerous companies, foundations and private individuals. An agreement was reached with the Fraternité Verbum Spei to rent a new dining hall in Esch-sur-Alzette. The old building proved to be too small, especially in times of health crisis, and was therefore no longer suitable to meet the needs of the Stëmm vun der Strooss.

The terrace of the social restaurant in Hollerich was also remodelled to receive more people, in compliance with the hygiene regulations in force. Thanks to Majany, a long-standing partner of the association, a fundraising campaign was launched on the Gingo platform, which raised 24,000 euros. This initiative enabled the installation of a removable roof with hinged walls and heaters, which was also co-financed by the Ministry of Health.

The most important event of 2020 is the finalization of the plans and building permit for the Caddy Schweesdrëps 2 project in the municipality of Sanem. This project was approved by the Luxembourg Government on 8 July. The new building will allow for the employment of 40 additional people who are undergoing vocational rehabilitation and living on social inclusion income, in jobs such as cooking, transport, logistics, cleaning, ironing, sewing or service. Instead of the 100 tonnes of food currently recovered, processed and redistributed thanks to the partnership between Stëmm and the Auchan hypermarket, the association will in future collect 500 tonnes per year.

This construction and equipment project amounts to €5,988,000, of which the association will receive €4,577,000 from the state and is actively seeking to fund €1,411,000 through donations by the end of 2022.

In addition, the new Kanner Stëmm service should be highlighted. Since June 2020, the social paediatrician of the Stëmm creates a precise therapeutic project based on a medical diagnosis elaborated in close collaboration with the medical professionals and health structures involved. The aim is to reach vulnerable children and future mothers or fathers who are victims of abuse or at risk of becoming victims of abuse.

All these improvements in the functioning of the Stëmm vun der Strooss were only possible thanks to the hard work of the association’s staff and volunteers, but above all thanks to the exemplary solidarity of public institutions, companies, foundations, private individuals and all other partners.

The Stëmm vun der Stroos in figures for the year 2020:

· 101,190 meals, i.e. -7.7% compared to 2019 (3 months without statistics)
· 4 672 different people used the services of the SvdS, i.e. – 4%
· 84 tons of food redistributed free of charge, i.e. – 33%
· 239 persons supervised on 5 sites, in the professional reintegration workshops (-7%)
· 31 people rehoused as part of the Immo Stëmm activity
· 169 free consultations offered by Doctor Stëmm’s volunteer doctors
· 1 622 were able to take a shower free of charge, i.e. -62.4% compared to 2019
· 3 044 people benefited from free clothes donations, i.e. -37% compared to 2019