ASSOCIAZIONE DIAKONIA ONLUS

Associazione Diakonia was established in Bergamo in 1990 as operative branch of Caritas Diocesana of Bergamo in order to implement Caritas activities in the social field. Associazione Diakonia aims to promote social equality and equity and to enhance the individual's’ sense of responsibility to community and to others, especially the most vulnerable ones. The core values of Associazione Diakonia and its activities are solidarity, peace, social equity and the equality achievement. Associazione Diakonia works in social field and focuses its activities on the most vulnerable ones (poor people and families, beaten and raped women, prostitutes, single mothers, alcoholics and drug addicted, homeless) and works in Bergamo and surrounding municipalities. The organization addresses social issues concerning protection of human and social rights, giving charity, offering/providing social aids and care and promoting culture and intercultural approach in the social field. To do this, since 1990, Associazione Diakonia has funded and managed different services and projects for different target groups. All services are supported by social workers, backed up by many volunteers. 1) Zabulon multi-services centre. It was funded in 1996 and it provides basic essentials to homeless, both women and men. Basically, in Zabulon multi-services center, people can - have a shower; - get clean laundry/underwear and clothes; - get a care package; - have lunch and dinner. In 2017 (last data available), we helped 1807 poor people and we delivered 13.609 meals. During 2017, in Zabulon center worked 58 volunteers. 2) “Galgario” dorm (men) and “Palazzolo” dorm (women). Those dorms are for homeless, refugees and immigrants, both men (Galgario) and women (Palazzolo). During 2017, in Galgario were welcomed approximately 600 men, while in Palazzolo were hosted almost 50 women. In the two dorms there are approximately 20 volunteers taking care of the service. 3) Comunità “Martinella”. It hosts women who are victims of trafficking. Aims: welcome women, protect and help them to start a new life in Italy or in their country. In Martinella work 20 volunteers and two social workers. Some services provided are healthcare services; legal support; Italian courses. 4) SaraCasa. It is a housing service provided by Associazione Diakonia for women (single or with their children) with economic problems or battered women. Women and their children are hosted until they are autonomous. During the last two years, volunteers coming from “Servizio Civile Nazionale” have spent their service in SaraCasa. 5) Casa Samaria. Housing service for women who benefit from alternative programs to avoid prison. Thanks to the cooperation between the Municipality of Bergamo and Associazione Diakonia, the service supports women while respecting their full autonomy. Many volunteers cooperate in Casa Samaria (from universities, from schools and Anno di Volontariato Sociale) and it is remarkable that the awareness-raising activity managed by Associazione Diakonia and the Municipality has led to an increase in volunteering requests. 6) Ambulatorio di prossimità (healthcare center), to guarantee the right of healthcare to those people who are extremely poor or don’t have any possibility to pay any doctor. It is possible thanks to some specialized doctors who work for free once a week. 7) Housing. Associazione Diakonia manages different apartments in municipality of Bergamo to help poor people, refugees and people with no job to start a new life. Many volunteers help in managing apartments. 8) Casa Amadei, to welcome, host and help refugees and new arrived. It is in S.P.R.A.R. network of municipality. 9) The Benedictine Abbey of San Paolo d’Argon and project FILEO. The Benedictine Abbey of San Paolo d’Argon was funded in 1097 by a community of Cluniac monks and renovated during the early 2000s. The Abbey is part of the artistic heritage of Bergamo territory: in fact, within there are different frescos by Pa