United States - Strategic Planning Meeting of Salesian Province of Western United States
San Francisco, United States - March 2023 - The Salesian Family Youth Center, based in Los Angeles, along with the Salesian Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco and the Richmond Youth Center, recently participated in a meeting focused on the review of the Strategic Plan of the Salesian Province of the United States West (SUO). The meeting, led by Fr. Mel Trinidad, SUO Provincial Superior, and Fr. Fabian Cardenas, Provincial Councilor, covered several topics, including creating a pastoral plan, monitoring and communicating progress, and evaluating and improving structures. The main objective was to shift the mindset from the current situation to that of the future. Fr. Trinidad highlighted the four priorities of the province - Salesian Charismatic Identity, Salesian Formation, Responsibility, and Vocation - and shared plans for hiring qualified lay professionals who embrace Salesian values. Plans were categorized into human resources, leadership and evaluation, high performance teams, attendance remodeling, advancement, social communication and media, growth mindset and vocation. In addition, three seminars will be available for Salesian animators to understand growth mindset and its implementation in the SUO Province. Fr. Cardenas stressed the importance of strengthening Salesian identity in parishes and Salesian youth centers, recognizing the existing identity in the Salesian High School. Collaboration and solidarity among Salesian presences were also highlighted. In addition to the revision of the Strategic Plan, the Salesian Family Youth Center and other Salesian presences of SUO are also actively collaborating in the worldwide social work programs of the Salesians of Don Bosco. This collaboration includes working with the Salesian Social America Network (RASS), which aims to promote social development and justice for vulnerable youth and their families around the world.