Salesians for Social opens 1,172 youth volunteer positions for Universal Civil Service

(MissionNewswire) Salesians per il Sociale (Salesians for Social) has opened 1,172 positions for youth to give back through civil service volunteering. Salesians for Social coordinates the Universal Civil Service in Italy and other countries, which enables youth to have life-changing volunteer experiences. The deadline to fill these positions is Jan. 26.

Salesians have 1,081 open positions in Salesian oratories, schools and day care centers. There are additional openings in the digital education lab, which is through Salesians for Social and the Zenit Consortium in Tuscany.  There are also 63 places available for community service abroad in Brazil, Angola, Namibia, Ghana, Senegal, Albania and Spain. These opportunities are open to young people between the ages of 18-28 and who are Italians, from European Union countries or are non-EU citizens legally residing in Italy.

“We are excited that more than 1,000 young people will gain experience through universal community service. They will be able to promote the culture of volunteering and help vulnerable members of our community,” said Father Francesco Preite, president of Salesians for Social.

In Italy, young people who are unemployed and not in school or training programs represent 20 percent of the population. Vocational training is an educational path that serves as a highly effective bridge between school and work.

Poverty rose sharply in 2020 to its highest level in 15 years as the COVID-19 crisis brought economic challenges for much of the country. Close to 5.6 million people or 9.4 percent of the population are living in absolute poverty unable to buy goods or services to achieve a minimally acceptable standard of living, according to the World Bank. This number includes 1.3 million minors.

Salesian programs across Italy help youth who are unable to attend school and others who drop out to work at the few jobs available to them. A growing number of children work as laborers on farms and others have turned to the sex trade to help support their families. Those in poverty often live without adequate shelter, hot water, regular meals and health care.

According to UNICEF, a growing number of youth are living away from their families in temporary shelters and within government and charity programs because of inadequate support from or neglect by their families. Salesian programs work to combat these challenges by providing shelter, nutrition, education and workforce development services for youth in need.

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Sources:

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

ANS – Italy – Community Service with the Salesians for 2021: 1,172 places available for Italy and abroad

Salesian Missions – Italy

UNICEF – Italy