A home for women to rebuild their lives after losing their home in Madrid: "We help each other as a family. We are not alone"

An eviction, gender violence or the lack of a support network can leave a woman in a vulnerable situation and at risk of ending up sleeping on the street. Regaining self-confidence is a difficult path that requires professional support and the support of a safe environment. To face this reality, the Madrid City Council has a program that offers accommodation, psychological support and training. "It is a space to think about what they need and for them to decide about their process," explains its coordinator, Víctor García.

Erika, 42 years old, arrived in May of last year at one of the two resources that the program has. Before becoming homeless, he had thought about opening a creative stationery business, but he had to put his dream on hold after losing his home. "Being here has helped me think things, like 'This doesn't fit me' or 'I'm going to start from the beginning'. Now I'm going to rebrand the brand," he says. She has no support from family or friends, but she recognizes that the users of this space have changed her life: "We have our pluses and minuses, but we help each other like a family. We meet to go for a walk around the neighborhood, to get to know it...we are not alone."

The program, known as 'No second night' and which started in 2020, is made up of 53 places and offers individualized social intervention, adapted to the needs and circumstances of each woman. The objective is for them to move towards an autonomous life and maintain their work, training and personal routines. "We try to make this their home. Some have night jobs, while others do their process outside of the resource itself. What we try is to mobilize them so that they can make their life in the community environment," emphasizes the coordinator. According to data from the Consistory, a total of 75 women have been assisted in the first half of this year, of which 16 managed to leave with an autonomous life.

Young people, immigrants and victims of violence

The profiles of this program are usually women of victims of violence, immigrants and young people. Up to 60% of users have suffered sexist violence, while another large portion have experienced sexual assault. "Almost all of them try to avoid a street situation and develop different strategies than men. When we talk, they design an intervention plan aimed at the life goal they have to get out of the survival dynamics they previously had," García emphasizes. There is no time limit for stay because each user has a different recovery time, depending on their circumstances.

Sheima, 29, did not know anyone in Spain when she settled in Madrid in September last year. With no family or friends to turn to, he went through different social resources and lived on the streets before accessing the program. "I am looking for training to work in the tourism sector because I like it. I speak French, Arabic, English and I am now learning Spanish," he highlights. While looking for job opportunities, he has been a kitchen helper and has worked temporarily to fill a vacancy during the holidays.