ESC VOLUNTEERING WITH CHILDREN IN KINDERGARTEN

Mignanego Cooperative Society is a non-profit cooperative of type A that designs, organizes and manages services for people. It was founded in 1996 by a group of young women, with the desire of creating a united and stable reality active in the Genovese area. The presence of a close-knit group of people has allowed a constant growth for the cooperative, both in terms of supply of services and quality of the very same services. The cooperative puts the person at the center of its different initiatives, with needs, rights and values in relation to the territory and its specific problems and resources. The primary task of the cooperative is the creation of specific initiatives which could better serve users’ needs. The cooperative also promotes collaboration with public institutions, associations and individuals aimed to create an effective business network that increases the number and quality of human relations among people. In recent years, the Cooperative has focused its activities on childhood, women victims of violence and social inclusion. All intervention are made through a gender perspective. Concerning childhood, the Cooperative runs two kindergardens, one in Mignanego (Nido Pollicino) and one in the historical city centre of Genova (Nido Vico Rosa) and manages a library space for children where specialised staff organise reading workshops for children and families. The main goal of its activities with children is to value and potentiate children’s competences and interests. The aim is to promote a participated education, able to give voice to children, families, educators and local communities, raising awareness on kindergardens role in the creation of childhood culture, through a pedagogical approach based on relations. Together with daily educational activities, the Cooperative supports the implementation of cultural initiatives and pedagogical research, valuing each child without discrimination and with a particular attention to the inclusion of children with physical, psycological and social obstacles. The staff is made of professionals with high expertise and who is constantly on training and updating. The Kindergarden “Nido Vico Rosa” is a place for children’s education, socialization, inspiration and for families’ support. It is located in the historical city center of Genoa, and can host up to 27 children from 3 to 36 months, with no distinctions. The kindergarten “Nido d’Infanzia Pollicino”, located in Mignanego, targets children between 12 and 36 months. The child – as active subject involved in a continuos interaction process with adults, peers and environment - is placed at the core of the educational projects of both kindergartens. Within Vico Rosa spaces, Cooperativa Mignanego runs a library for children aged 0-6 years, where reading workshops for children and families are organized. The book becomes as a “third educator” within the child development process. For children, we propose loud-voice Reading sessions, activities based on Montessori approach and expressive-creative activities. For parents, we organize meetings base don readings and cineforum activities to active reflections and Exchange on parenthood. We also promote book exchanges. In the area of “Valpolcera” and Casella Municipality Cooperativa Mignanego runs, since 2007 a support and listening centre on gender-based violence (Centro anti-violenza) “Pandora” which primary aim is to contrast violence and discrimination and promote gender culture. Here, women victims of violence – either in family or outside it - can find a place where they can be listened to and supported in a new process of emancipation. The centre is run by professionals with specific expertise, all services are free. In parallel with the Pandora activities, the Cooperative implements sicne 2008 prevention projects in schools (from kindergartens to high schools) to promote a culture based on gender equality and an education able to deconstruct dominant gender models. The aim of such projects is to sensitize youth, families and teachers on topics related to gender differences, violence and bullying. Pandora runs scholastic helpdesks in Mignanego and Sarissola targeting students, parents and teachers of the primary and secondary school on bullism, conflicto prevention and valuing of differences. Furthermore, the Pandora Centre proposes prevention workshops against discrimations and violence based on gender in schools. Workshops are targeting children and adolescents from 5 to 19 years old. Professionals and volunteers of the Cooperative propose and implement workshops aiming at violence prevention, workshops on gender differences and mixed resilient groups composed by students, teachers and parents. Lastly, the cooperative is involved in continuous training activities for educators, teachers, health professionals in particular on topics related to gender and children psychology.