Youth overcome challenges with educator support

(MissionNewswire) Salesians for Social in Italy recently released its report, “Fragile”, which provided a snapshot of the first wave of Italy’s Generation Z. With the collaboration of AstraRicerche, a survey was provided to nearly 1,100 youth aged 14-20. The survey found that while 50% feel satisfied with themselves, the other half feel stressed and under pressure.

One of those youth is Joan, who is 15 years old. For a long time, he thought that school wasn’t the place for him. Having arrived from the Dominican Republic, he went through difficult years, marked by failed exams, absences and a growing struggle to find meaning in his studies. Joan felt cut off and had a constant sense of being left out. He said, “I felt distant from everything and everyone. Every morning it became harder and harder to get up.”

Today, in Italy, almost one in four youth consider dropping out of school early, and a significant proportion remains on the margins between school and work.

With the La Spezia project, launched by Salesians for Social, Joan met educators capable of listening, helping him to unlock his talents and seeing possibilities for the future. With the support of the educators, school is no longer an insurmountable barrier, and even math, which had always been a stumbling block for him, became a challenge he can meet. The project aims to help youth, like Joan, face challenges and remain in school.

Joan also attends a Salesian after-school program, which quickly transformed from a simple study space into a place of belonging and where relationships become the primary educational tool. He said, “It has become my second home.”

Today, Joan looks to the future with a different outlook — more open and more aware — and attends school with a newfound motivation. He noted, “I’ve realized that if you want to change things, you have to commit yourself and not give up.”

###

Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Italy – Joan’s rebirth between school and the oratory. Salesians for Social opens the door to hope

Salesian Missions – Italy

World Bank – Italy