Group photo;
Credit: Stëmm vun der Strooss
On Monday 6 July 2026, Stëmm vun der Strooss, a Luxembourg-based non-profit organisation supporting people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable members of society, announced that it had met with the non-profit association Sourrire to explore shared approaches to social inclusion and professional reintegration in the south of the country since 2018.
The meeting brought together Alexandra Oxacelay, Director of Stëmm vun der Strooss, and Marie Laurini, founder and head of Sourrire, over lunch at Maison Sourrire in Esch-sur-Alzette.
According to the organisations, the discussion highlighted their common commitment to supporting vulnerable people and helping them rebuild their lives through employment, community engagement and personal development.
Founded in 2018 by Marie Laurini, a specialist in severe trauma, Sourrire ("Soutien entre Résidents et Réfugiés pour l'Intégration, le Respect et l'Estime de soi") provides a welcoming space for people who have experienced difficult circumstances. The association offers free language courses, cultural workshops and community activities, alongside psychosocial support and opportunities for professional reintegration.
Earlier this year, the association opened their venue, which includes a café serving breakfast, lunch and community coffee breaks that is open to everyone, with the aim of creating an inclusive environment free from social stigma.
According to Stëmm vun der Strooss, the organisations share a similar vision of solidarity. Sourrire currently employs 40 people participating in reintegration programmes and also organises creative workshops and its "Café Géosocial" initiative, which encourages dialogue on contemporary social issues.
Following the meeting, Alexandra Oxacelay, Director of Stëmm vun der Strooss, said: "If we want to meet the needs of our clients, we must work hand in hand because more and more people can no longer find their place in the traditional labour market. Their qualifications are not recognised, they do not speak the required languages, they have been unemployed for a long time or they are simply people whose lives have been deeply affected."
Maison Sourrire is open from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 17:00. It is located at 91 Rue de l'Alzette, just a short walk from the Stëmm vun der Strooss social restaurant at 112 Rue du Canal.
