A new gymnasium for the children of La Source renovated and supported by the CMA CGM Foundation, in the Belle de Mai neighborhood

On Wednesday, March 19, the CMA CGM Foundation visited La Source, one of the houses managed by the Massabielle Association, to celebrate the renovation of its multi-sports gymnasium, which was renovated with the Foundation's support. The event was attended by Gonzague de Fombelle, Director of the Massabielle Association, and Thibault Jarry, Director of La Source.

Located in the priority neighborhood of La Belle de Mai in Marseille, La Source welcomes more than 130 children between the ages of 7 and 18 per year. This center serves as a true community center and support space for local residents.

As part of the overall renovation of La Source, the creation of a dedicated sports area quickly became a priority due to the lack of accessible facilities in La Belle de Mai. The Massabielle Association approached the CMA CGM Foundation to transform the basement of the house into a multi-sport gymnasium. Now equipped with a non-slip floor, a climbing wall, gymnastics mats and soccer goals, this new space encourages exercise and social integration for young people and their families.

Open to the children and teenagers supported by La Source, the gymnasium also benefits the students of the neighboring primary school, which has the smallest playground in France, giving them a new space to play and be active.

As the Official Logistics Solutions Partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the CMA CGM Group continues its commitment to the Olympic legacy in Marseille through the actions of its Foundation. The Foundation’s support to La Source is in line with this initiative and follows on from the different projects already supported:

• Renovation of several city stadiums in partnership with the OM Foundation, the National Sports Agency and the City of Marseille. The first one, the Major Stadium, was inaugurated in 2023.
• Renovation of the sports field at La Reynarde, in partnership with the Association Médicosociale de Provence, to support over 40 children hosted on site as part of the Child Welfare Services.
• Development of a sailing initiation program for 100 Marseille teenagers in 2023 aboard the schooner Ahoy, led by skipper Éric Bellion.
• Since 2020, support for the "Un Pas vers la Mer" program, which enables 150 children each year to participate in a swimming education program developed by the Marseille Capitale de la Mer association at the Cercle des Nageurs de Marseille.
• Support for the associations Le Grand Bleu and the Fédération Léo Lagrange, which offer swimming lessons and programs to discover the marine environment to more than 2,800 children and teenagers from priority neighborhoods in Marseille at the Estaque and Frioul nautical bases.

Founded in the early 2000s in the northern districts of Marseille, the Massabielle Association is committed to meeting the needs of local residents by creating welcoming spaces for everyone. Through its community centers, it offers a variety of educational activities and parental support, while fostering a space for social interaction and exchange.

Opened in 2016 and located on the Boulevard National, La Source is one of two community houses managed by the association in Marseille, along with Maison Bernadette in Les Lauriers. It is run by a team of professionals, including a house manager, a psychologist and educators, supported by a network of volunteers - some of whom live on site temporarily - who provide ongoing support to the young people and their families.