ESC in Italy in a residential community for youth and adolescent girls

The history of the community of Buon Pastore of Genoa originates from the Casa Madre d'Angers, founded in 1829 by Saint Maria Eufrasia Pellettier. The nuns of Buon Pastore were called to Genoa in 1842 by the noble Marquis Pallavicini, later, due to political events, they were forced to withdraw, returning in 1857 to Genoa at the request of Abbot Peragallo with the intention of entrusting them with a small group of girls in distress. In 1887 they bought the current headquarters of the Cooperative Buon Pastore, in 1939 they entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Grace and Justice, expanding it in 1948 with the re-educational section. In the 1970s, the youth protest exploded even within the House of Buon Pastore and this led to the interruption of the relationship with the Ministry, the beginning of a new collaboration, more suitable for the times, with the Territorial Social Services and a significant change in the educational system, becoming more personalized, less restrictive, open to the outside and to voluntary groups. The nuns assisted a large number of girls who found in the house of Buon Pastore a refuge and a place from where restart their lives with a new orientation. Their activity, despite the evolution linked to the change of social, political, and ecclesiastical contexts, has always addressed the female world through the reception, education and vocational training of the weakest, younger groups. In September 1992, the Educational Community was opened leading to new forms of residential housing. The tool of personalized projects acquired more relevance. Once again, the Sisters of Buon Pastore responded to the changing times and saw new forms of collaboration and professionalism in non-religious, secular people. For some years now, the Congregation has started a process of gradual transition towards secular social-welfare initiatives, promoting the establishment of institutions: the first step of this journey has been the establishment of the New Buon Pastore Association Onlus in Genoa, assuming since 2002 the responsibility of the management of educational services. The commitment was to continue to translate into daily activity the promotion of the dignity of each person, understood as a synthesis of body and spirit, respecting the different cultures and religious confessions. On 6th February 2019, seven educators and two sisters of the Order of Buon Pastore formed the Buon Pastore Cooperativa Sociale – Impresa Sociale, which represents a further step in a path of co-responsibility. On 24th May 2019, the transfer of ownership of the two services from the Association to the Cooperativa took place. The Cooperative is part of the Consulta Diocesana for the activities supporting minors and their families. The Cooperative operates 2 women's residential services: 1) The CEAS is a residential community that is home to girls aged 6 to 18. The staff consists of 7 educators including the coordinator. Educational work takes place on a continuous 24-hour shift, 365 days a year. The community offers a path of personal growth that aims to promote the person globally, taking care of every area of the lives of minors: self-care, socialization, respect for others and rules, school/work, leisure management, relationship with reference adults, but also educational and pedagogical strategies to expand these skills and consolidate them. 2) The Youth Accommodation (Alloggio Giovani) houses 6 girls from 18 to 21 years of age in administrative custody to Social Services. The staff of the Accommodation is composed of 2 educators, including the coordinator. Each placement in the accommodation goes through a concerted work between sending service, coordinator, reference educator, the girl herself, and, when possible, with the family. The goal is to support girls in a path of personal, work, and housing autonomy. The active and conscious participation of the girls is essential both in the realization of the project and its outcome.