Solidarity in Italy

  Italy

• Torino: 
Torino (Turin)

Term: Not Applicable 
Durations of Program: 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: 03/03/2010

Description: We truly believes that the presence of an international volunteers can be a new input for the minor girls. Past experience has taught us that the volunteer can bridge the gap between the youngsters' and the adults' worlds, as well as serving as a constant source of confrontation and dialogue, a guide and, at the same time, an amusement source. Moreover, the activities of the volunteers project aim at developing the comprehension of different cultures and thus represent an input for the self-growth of the volunteers involved.

The aim of the project is to develop the volunteers' understanding of different cultures and situations, which, at the same time, may lead to personal growth of the volunteers themselves. Whilst volunteering, the youngsters experience an environment where disadvantaged people live and therefore have the chance to give some of their time and experience to the ones in need.

The volunteer fully co-operates and supports the staff of the community, which is composed of 5 educators that alternate work-shifts in order to assure a 24 hour-a-day, whole year presence.

The educators, on the basis of past experiences and relative to the personal initiative of the volunteer, guide the volunteer in the organization of activities. The volunteer co-operates and supports the staff of the community, which is composed by 4 educators that work full-time and 3 operators that work part-time, on a shift basis, in order to assure a service 24 hours a day for the whole year. The volunteer's tasks are usually decided together with the volunteer, bearing in mind her availability and skills. Since Frassati has been working with the EVS for a long time, the community is now able to delineate the volunteer's specifics tasks, which include:

- helping the minors, in the afternoons, to do their homework (20%)
- taking them to sport activities (20%)
- staying with them during their free-time activities (20%)
- looking after youngsters' availabilities and preferences (10%)
- developing their intercultural knowledge through a constant exchange of ideas (15%)
- involving them in new activities organized by the volunteer herself (15%)

Very rarely, if the volunteer feels able and is interested in, it is possible to arrange evening activities such as going out to the cinema or to the theatre (with or without an educator) or even going on excursions during the weekends (these only with the presence of operators).

- The volunteer does not replace workers who are off-duty.
- The volunteer does not work in administrative tasks.
- The volunteer will co-operate in those tasks related to the education and relation with others.

A typical day of work of the volunteer will take up to 7 hours per day. In addition, every week she will have two days off work.
The volunteer will be able to eat in the community, either by herself or together with the educators and will have free access to the kitchen and be given money to acquire food and various things.

Living in Torino, the volunteer will have the possibility to chose which Italian language course to attend and normally it is the tutor that advises and guides the volunteer in this choice. The tutor will spend a lot of time helping the volunteer, guiding her and helping her insertion in the community and in the Italian society. During the first period, the tutor usually guides the volunteer in all phases of the project or assists her in her tasks.

The volunteers are constantly guided by an operator and sustained in the daily outings and should be present at the team meetings for frequent valuation. Moreover, training courses are organized with the scope of preventing risks or problems connected to the difficult reality of the minors and to the relation with the latter.

Furthermore, AFSAI offers a constant role of coordination and monitoring in what regards the community and works with the scope of promoting activities for the tutors and volunteers on the themes of problem solving and conflict resolution.

Highlights: The community is a residential structure for minors who have experienced hard social and family disadvantages. The community generally hosts female teenagers aged between 12 and 18, supporting them in their school course and in the search for a job, as well as in their integration in social life. The main idea is to give them a means to achieve a wider autonomy and their own independence and, most of all, to help them overcome the possible difficulties and disadvantages that would hinder their self-growth. This process mostly implies the development of their potentials and the possibility of getting involved in recreational projects aimed at stimulating their civic, cultural, creative and human senses.

The community works in strict collaboration with the Minors Tribunal and Social Services. The staff is generally composed of 5 operators present in the community and the further input of professionals, among whom psychologists, lawyers, social assistants and other operators that take work-shifts at the community.
The girls attend school or work. In their spare time they can participate in the activities of the house or take walks in the open air. Other events or sessions are organized in order to deepen matters strictly connected with young people.

Qualifications: We would simply like to host any volunteer that is willing to share their knowledge and experiences with disadvantage youngsters. According to the target of the project (that is, minors who have experienced hard social and familiar problems) it would be preferable to host a female volunteer. We are open for collaboration with any type of sending organization.

Cost in US$: 1,000

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Motivated, flexible and openmind

Age Range: 18-35

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Italy Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

AFSAI's Mission Statement: To promote no-formal education opportunities for young people, through transnational socio-cultural activities, international voluntary service and international youth mobility

Year Founded: 1958