The "Casa Valdocco" project received authorization from the Social Policies Sector of the Municipality of Torre Annunziata just a few days ago. In this way, the intuition of Fr Antonio Carbone, Salesian, Director and Parish Priest of the Salesian center in the coastal town, as well as being President of the association "Piccoli passi grandi sogni onlus" - ie small steps, big dreams - the organization that from 1 August will start the center's activities.
"We wanted to offer a different answer compared to family homes for minors and the oratory," explained Fr Carbone. "We want to take care of the children who need scholastic and emotional support."
The center can host up to 30 minors, those most at risk, sent by local social services and the local district. It will offer activities of a playful and educational nature, and will be carried out by educators able to provide not only school support, but also human support.
"We couldn't manage to make a change in the problem of students leaving school," continues the Salesian. "There are young people who need redemption, a second chance."
The service will function in the afternoon and will also offer the possibility of having lunch. It will officially start from August 1st and will reach full capacity in September.
In a frontier area, characterized by few opportunities for young people and a high unemployment rate, the multi-purpose center for minors is a key to removing children from the streets and preventing the underworld from recruiting those who live in difficult conditions.
The new day center will also enrich the already plentiful proposals of the Salesians of Torre Annunziata who offer their beneficiaries a parish with an oratory and youth center and the two educational communities "Mamma Matilde" and "Peppino Brancati" - also coordinated from the non-profit organization "Piccoli passi grandi sogni" - which instead offer a residential welcome to young people at risk.
The recipe of Casa Valdocco is the same as Don Bosco's: to carry out prevention activities to encourage the education of young people and foster their integration into civil society.
