Past Pupils to open a Marvelli Residence for Homeless Youth
On the centenary year of the birth of Alberto Marvelli, the National Federation of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco in Malta have launched a social project to help homeless young people to live independently in the community. This project is being undertaken in partnership with the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta.
Disadvantaged young poeple have various challenges to overcome poverty and social exclusion. Amongst the most vulnerable, there are young people who are homeless and lack the safety of a family.
The high cost of owning a home and the steep rise of renting in Malta is making it more difficult for homeless young people to lead an independent life. A terraced house in central Paola, donated to the Salesians of Don Bosco by a benefactor,is being completely refurbished and transformed into a fully functional home to be named after Alberto Marvelli, a Blessed Salesian past pupil.
The residence will accommodate and support three young people in independent living at any one time. The aim of the project is to offer accommodation services to young homeless people by providing supported independent living. Homeless young people will stay in this home for a temporary period of up to two years with the aim to help them become totally independent.
A unique feature of the project will be the provision of support mentoring services to these young persons throughout their stay at the Residence, preparing them to live independently and to move into the community as good and exemplary citizens. Mentoring young people is a powerful way of helping young people to bring them out of poverty and help them to become more socially included. Construction and refurbishment works on the property have already commenced.
Past pupils are also giving their time in offering voluntary work in the preparation of the house. The Residence is scheduled to be completed and ready for use within the period of one year.
