Three years ago, DUO for a JOB settled in Charleroi. All it took was a few meetings, a good coffee, and above all a deep conviction for the magic to happen: bringing young job seekers with an immigration background together with experienced mentors over 50 years old, ready to pass on their knowledge and experience.
Connections for life
Three years later, the bet was successful: 200 duets were born, and behind each duo, a story, laughter, sometimes tears, often impressive journeys. “We are super proud of our duos” says Julie. “More than numbers, it's regained trust, it's relationships created for life.”
The link, that's what it's all about. When a mentor meets their mentee, two worlds intersect. Guy, recently retired, talks about his commitment: “I wanted to create a relationship and I found a real open-mindedness. With DUO, we really help young people get by.” Opposite, Boris says it bluntly: “Being accompanied is good, being accompanied by someone who wants to is better!”
A caring team
This success is also due to the Charleroi team, led with flying colors by Julie. “We started with a lot of listening, fieldwork, and a few PowerPoints,” she jokes. “But very quickly, we saw that local actors were ready to get on board: associations, local authorities, businesses,... everyone wants to create bridges rather than barriers.”
Because DUO never works alone. Mentoring works because it is part of an ecosystem, with associative and public relays that bring the project to life on a daily basis.
And it works, because 7 out of 10 young people supported have found a job, an internship or a training course!
See you for the 500 duos?
And now? We continue, of course. But we want to go further. The team is looking for new mentors, associative partners, and local businesses that believe in inclusion and sharing experiences.
Mentoring is easy: one to two hours per week for six months. With training, support, and above all, a real impact. For the young person who finds their way, for the mentor who regains meaning, and for society, which has everything to gain by bringing generations together.
“In Charleroi, as elsewhere, our mentoring program works”, summarizes Odile Dayez, Belgium director of DUO for a JOB. “We now want to continue, create new partnerships in Hainaut and Charleroi!”
Do you want to support us? Do you know a colleague, an uncle, a neighbor who would have the profile, are you yourself tempted by the adventure?
Join DUO in Charleroi!
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