More than forty people are seated in a crêperie in downtown Chartres, Thursday evening October 7. A good atmosphere reigns and discussions are going well around the plates. They all have two points in common: they are between 20 and 40 years old and have been living in Chartres for a handful of years at most, some days for some.
The majority do not know any guest of this evening. But it is for this very reason that they are present. “I arrived a month ago and you? Can we hear near a table.
This meal is organized by Smile in Chartres. An association created in 2015 in connection with the Young Economic Chamber. For two years, this association has been fully independent.
Florent Louisot, 36-year-old president, explains the vocation of Smile in Chartres:
“The basic idea starts from an observation. Many young people from other regions come to live in Chartres for their work. But some do not necessarily stay there, because it is complicated to meet people, to network. Sometimes there is boredom. Our leitmotiv is therefore to create events and meeting places for these newcomers who are struggling to flourish in Chartres. In short, we tell them “come and make friends”. “
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Afterworks, themed evenings, bowling …
To promote these meetings, the association organizes various events throughout the year, as 28-year-old Vice-President Suzanne Saquer explains:
“Outings are regularly scheduled, always on weekdays and not on weekends, to introduce people to Chartres. It’s more user-friendly to encourage exchanges. At least twice a month, especially on the first Thursday of the month, we organize afterworks, theme evenings or activities such as bowling for example. We try to vary. There are things going on in Chartres, but you have to know it. This makes it possible to create a dynamic among young workers in Chartres. These are spaces made available for them to meet, create friendships and especially that they want to stay in Chartres. “
Suzanne Saquer vice-president of the Smile in Chartres association and Florent Louisot, president.
Work is not everything
The association, often known by word of mouth, has already supported many young newcomers. Because work is not everything, according to Suzanne Saquer: “Fulfillment does not necessarily come from the professional network, but above all through the friends that one can make, for example during activity. “
“We just give people the opportunity to meet and bond. That’s already a lot, ”adds Florent Louisot.
Smile in Chartres evenings to welcome newcomers over a drink after work
Among the participants who took the initiative to register for this meal, organized Thursday evening by the association, are various profiles. Alix, 22, is from Lorient (Morbihan). This young engineer for a local community confides: “I arrived in Chartres last week. I don’t really know anyone here. “
“Over time, links have been created”
A colleague told him about the association: “I looked at their page on Facebook and I registered at the last moment for the event. I read that you shouldn’t hesitate to come alone. So I validated the registration. “A choice that Alix does not regret:” It’s a nice moment of sharing, we were placed at random so we immediately discover different people, it’s positive. “
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Welcome evening for new residents: why they chose to settle in Chartres
At the same table, Thomas, 36, an independent engineer in computer science and robotics, is a regular at the association: “I have been participating in Smile in Chartres events for more than four years. I also discovered the association through a search on Facebook. Over time, links have been created. We were all happy to be together after the confinement periods. “
Practice. The Smile in Chartres association can be contacted by email: [email protected], but also via its page Facebook “Smile In Chartres”, where all organized events are relayed.
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Simon Dechet
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