Associazione di Carità San Zeno Onlus - Caritas Diocesana Veronese

Associazione di Carità S. Zeno Onlus is a CSO based in Verona, Italy. Its mission is making the voices of the poor heard and acted upon. Its main goal is to build a society in which the poorest and most disadvantaged people and communities are able to influence the systems, decisions and resources that affect them, in order to let them live under governments, institutions and global structures that are just and accountable. As an association, we promote integral human development so that people in the worst off and most disadvantaged situations are free to flourish and live in peace and dignity. We foster people empowerment and the protection of civil rights. Associazione di Carità San Zeno Onlus is characterized by a strong pedagogical function towards the sourrounding community. It is part of a well-developed network of public institutions and local CSOs active in the social field. Our main intervention fields are: socio-pedagogical area; international cooperation, emergencies and development; peace and sustainable development education. Associazione di Carità S. Zeno Onlus is engaged both on a local and international level in the following areas: Social field: We support people in need by providing them both material and psychological, administrative guidance. We promote educational/empowerment paths aiming at facilitating social and working rehabilitation. We have specific rehabilitation volunteering programs for people involved in restorative justice. Health sector: We promote prevention campaigns and effective actions relating to the protection of public and individual health. Education and Training: We organize training and non-formal education activities at schools; information and awareness raising campaigns, public events willing to widespread a peace and inclusion-oriented culture among the young generations. We signed agreements with the main High Schools of our town, we have specific short term volunteering programs for students involved in school suspension. Our main target groups are marginalized people, new poors and young people. Through our educational activities and awareness raising actions, we contribute to build a more cohesive and inclusive society which allows citizens to play an active role in the democratic life of their communities. Education and youth work are crucial elements to promote peace-related and common European values; to foster social integration; to enhance intercultural understanding and a sense of belonging to a community and to prevent violent radicalization. Our programs in the Health and Social sectors support marginalized people on both material and psychological level and promote their inclusion and rehabilitation. As an Association we believe that well-performing education and volunteering programs for young people could provide them with the skills required by the labour market, while allowing them to play an active role in society and achieve personal fulfillment.