ESC Volunteering in Italy with children and adolescents of a center

Centro Storico Ragazzi project started in 2008 stemming from a shared assessment of the needs of Genoa historical centre, in particular its western part, made by parish churches and associations working in this context. In November 2012 “Associazione Temporanea di Scopo Centro Storico Ragazzi” has been formally created in order to assure support and continuity to the activities already implemented. Centro Storico Ragazzi gathers the parish churches belonging to the central-western Curacy of Genoa, consisting in the most downgraded areas of the historical centre, together with some associations active in the support to minors with fewer opportunities: Parrocchia Nostra Signora del Carmine e Sant’Agnese; Parrocchia Santi Vittore e Carlo; Parrocchia San Giovanni Evangelista di Pré; Parrocchia San Luca; Parrocchia Santa Maria delle Vigne; Parrocchia Santa Maria Maddalena e San Gerolamo Emiliani; Parrocchia San Pancrazio; Parrocchia Ss. Annunziata del Vastato; Parrocchia San Siro; Parrocchia San Sisto II e Natività di Maria Ss.; Conservatorio Figlie N.S. della Misericordia so-called “Le Filippine”; Cooperativa sociale a.r.l. Il Sentiero del Movimento Ragazzi; Comitato Umanità Nuova – Azione per il Centro Storico; Centro Sociale La Staffetta; Associazione Oratorio San Filippo ANSPI,  Cooperativa Sociale La Salle and Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Centro Storico Ragazzi Sport.

Centro Storico Ragazzi carries out educational activities for youngsters (90 c.a during this last year) aged 7-18 years-old, who live in or hang out at Genoa historical city centre. The majority of them have foreign nationality, especially Ecuador, Perù and China. Most youngsters we’re working with face disadvantaged family environments, difficulties at school, economical obstacles and do not have a stable connection with the context. 

Our working methodology is based on the encounter and the care of each child/young person, to whom we offer a space and a time to meet people who they can refer to while we’re seeking for cooperation with the family, the school and the other educational agencies. Despite our religious inspiration, Centro Storico Ragazzi’s activities do not have any religious linkage and are addressed to youngsters of all religions, with the aim of favouring not only intercultural but also inter-religious dialogue and learning. 

The Center is open 5 days a week, from Monday to Friday, every months with the exception of August, and has now become an important presence in the neighbourhood. The activities take place in the spaces offered by all parish churches and associations. In this sense, Centro Storico Ragazzi applies the approach of “outreach education” thus not having a pre-fixed headquarter. Other aspects related to this approach are the fact that we are part of the “LET network” (Laboratori Educativi Territoriali – Educational workshops based in each neighbourhood of Genoa and coordinated by Municipality’s Social Services) and that all our activities are open to children and youngsters in our neighbourhood with no selections nor fees.