Social integration, civic spirit and urban decorum: this is the mission of the "Custodi del Bello”, a project presented today in Florence with an intervention in via delle Seggiole on the corner of via Pandolfini in the presence of the Deputy Mayor, Alessia Bettini, the Councillor for Labour, Benedetta Albanese, the Foundation of Angeli del Bello from Florence, representatives of “Extrapulita”, a project partner, and companies that are already participating.
Who are the “Custodi del Bello”? Individuals with “traditional” economic fragility, long-term unemployment, asylum seekers, those without income, “the new fragile” who have lost their jobs, those on redundancy pay who will be able to recreate a social network of reference, acquire useful skills for a new entry into the job market, thanks to the project implemented by the Florentine ONLUS of Angeli del Bello together with “Extrapulita”. The social promotion association “Extrapulita” (www.extrapulita.net) helps administrations, public and private bodies, whatever their inspiration, to make their policies for integrating the weakest sections of the population effective and efficient and to enhance our country, through cleanliness and care for beauty.
- Angeli del Bello, which has over 3.500 members, have decided to launch a truly special project in this difficult historical period; they will play a "support" role for socially vulnerable individuals, supporting them in their path to job placement, managed for training and relationships with companies by training schools, employment agencies, etc. With the project "Custodi del Bello"It is possible to involve people in a process of social reintegration through the care of Beauty, focusing on commitment and being active as a fundamental element to allow them to take back control of their lives. To be included in the project, simply send an email to info@custodidelbello.org with CV and/or specifying the current work situation.
Introductory interviews will be held and teams that will take care of the city decorum will be identified, based on different characteristics, assigning them to specific work areas. The activities will allow members to acquire soft and hard skills that can encourage social/work placements. The Foundation will be responsible for identifying work activities that are particularly in demand by the market, with the support of trade associations, companies, artisans, the chamber of commerce, etc. Once the need has been defined, professional training courses are proposed to the subjects involved, to which, it is desirable, the same companies that are looking for collaborators will contribute where possible.
The project has already been active in Florence since October, thanks to the collaboration of Dedalus, Associazione Per Firenze and Medline International Italy srl Unip., and sees a team of 6 people operating who have carried out interventions in the Sant'Ambrogio area, with a commitment of 12 hours per week and have restored the decorum on 13,4 km by removing vandalism, patches on walls, with micro-cleaning actions on the area, including tourist and road signs and the care of urban greenery.
Starting next year, the Florentine Foundation, the “Extrapulita” association and the “Consorzio Communitas”, made up of non-profit entities promoted by Caritas Italiana spread throughout the country, will also start work in Brescia and Rome.
"Today we are truly happy to present a project that adds value to our decades-long work. Civics and Beauty are fundamental to us, and they can be achieved by concretely helping our fellow citizens today," commented Giorgio Moretti, President of the Florentine non-profit organization. "This is why we are also at the forefront of this operation, where companies play a fundamental role, offering job and training opportunities to 'I Custodi del Bello"They will be able to become sponsors of the project and benefit from advantages in terms of brand identity and brand awareness. Clearly, we are only at the beginning of the work," concluded Moretti. "Today, more than ever, unity is strength, and we all need each other, because the dignity of people is also important to us."
“We have identified together the areas and types of interventions in which to involve these people,” said Deputy Mayor Alessia Bettini. “These are small maintenance jobs, ranging from the removal of vandalism to the care of street furniture, small interventions that all contribute together to keeping the city more beautiful. It is precisely with the combination of small gestures that the urban decorum is preserved and protected, based on that culture of 'mending' that we learned about from the great architect Renzo Piano and that is fundamental. This project goes in this direction, also allowing the people who join to acquire skills, contacts and to have an experience useful for their personal and professional growth.”
"Every tool to support and help vulnerable groups and any support in general is important in this time of crisis," said Labor Councilor Benedetta Albanese. "This is why, as a Municipality, we appreciate this virtuous initiative. Thanks to Angeli del bello who once again demonstrate a great commitment to our city."
