We have been silent for quite some time—not because there was no news to share, but simply because we lacked the time. Now that the academic year has come to an end and the summer holidays are approaching, it is a good opportunity to reflect on what the 2025–2026 year has meant for the Association.
At the beginning of the year, two of our young men successfully completed their regularization process and obtained residence permits with authorization to work. Both secured their first employment contracts and, after finding a shared apartment, were able to begin living independently.
Idir, Assana, and Aimad have remained with us, and during the year Sidy and Omar joined the Association.
Over the course of this year, the first three were able to submit their applications for legal regularization, each through a different pathway: exceptional circumstances, socio-labour roots, and socio-educational roots. All three applications were approved, and Idir, Assana, and Aimad have now obtained legal residence.
Each of them is choosing the path that best matches his aspirations and hopes for the future.
Assana has already signed his first employment contract and is now working in the maintenance department of the Sant Gervasi Sports Club, with the support of the Ferrer-Salat Foundation.
Idir is currently in discussions with the company responsible for the maintenance of Barcelona’s parks and gardens and is expected to sign a contract as a gardener.
This year, Aimad successfully completed a Basic Vocational Training Programme (PFI) with excellent results, enabling him to enrol in intermediate vocational education. He has chosen to train as a Healthcare Technician and has been accepted into the training school at Vall d’Hebron Hospital, where he will begin his studies in the 2026–2027 academic year.
We are delighted to see that our approach is working—a model inspired by the vision of Pope Francis: Welcome, Protect, Promote, and Integrate.
It is easy to describe these achievements in a few words, but behind every success lies the tremendous commitment shown by our young men throughout the year: attending classes, learning the language, caring for and maintaining the shared apartment, participating in the Association’s weekly meetings, and taking part in volunteer activities.
Soon they will leave the welcoming house to make room for new young people who will begin this journey with us. But that will be the story of another chapter.
We wish everyone a wonderful summer.
Miguel Medrano
Loles Association – Barcelona
