Which are the main challenges and difficulties for the youth at risk in Italy?
Poor self-esteem. They have the sensation of being losers, and to face this sense of uneasiness they even have violent attitudes. Others take refuge in the use of psychotropic substances, but once the effect passes, the problem is worse than before. Another difficulty is linked to the incapability of some parents to play their role. The challenge is to activate strategies that do not harm anybody. In doing this, we put ourselves at their side, as Don Bosco teaches us.
Which are the strategic lines and the main projects you promote?
The Federation aggregates not only Salesian houses, but also sister-organizations guided by lay people, which are inspired by Don Bosco’s charism. This is a richness and puts into practice the “corresponsibility” of which spoke GC24.
We work in the field of marginalization, hosting minors in 31 “Family Homes” and we have works that deal with various forms of addiction. A strategy is to enable the young to a healthy culture of work. In the last years we are intensifying the efforts to welcome migrants and refugees, especially if they are unaccompanied minors.
The Federation is also in charge for the Salesians to manage the Civil Service, which this year involves 1200 young people. In all these activities it managed to create a very beautiful network with non Salesian realities, of the so-called “Third Sector”: a very enriching exchange, which makes us be portion of a “Church that goes forth”.
Some examples of good practices?
The project “the Houses of Don Bosco”, activated in Catania, Locri, Foggia, in the urban and existential peripheries: besides opposing withdrawal from school, it also started social and educative-pastoral activities. Other successful projects are the welcoming of foreign non-accompanied minors implemented by the “Don Bosco 2000” association in Catania, in synergy with VIS, VIDES and the SDB and FMA Provinces of Sicily; the project of “MetaCometa” association, always in Sicily, which is activating a network of sympathetic families for reception and foster care of foreign and Italian minors; or the Day Centre of Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco in Rome.
Looking at the Future?
I wish more synergy at European level. Some steps forward have already been taken. I wish we can take some more for the good of the young.
