EASY TOWNS PROJECT CITY OF VICENZA ITALY

“O.S.A. con NOI” Association

THE ASSOCIATION “ O.S.A. CON NOI ” The headquarters of “O.S.A. con NOI” association are located in Sant'Andrea. Sant'Andrea is a district of 4500 inhabitants and it's near the city center of Vicenza. The association “O.S.A. con NOI” was born in 2013 in the catholic parish of Sant’Andrea. THE DISTRICT OF SANT’ANDREA THE PARISH

Its aim is to promote educational activities and social and recreational projects within the parish recreational center, with particular attention to the younger generation.

The parish recreational center is a facility for children, teenagers and families of the community.

RECREATIONAL CENTER At the moment the recreational center includes a sports pitch to play football and basketball, study rooms, a computer room, an indoor play area also used for arts and craft, a music school, a big room for parties and a lounge with books, newspapers and board games.

COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES HISTORY OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROJECT In 2011 the parish board of Sant'Andrea hired a professional educator for the recreational center. This choice was unusual because the activities were mostly run by volunteers. At the time the parish recreational center was closed and only the sports pitch to play football and basketball was used. Children and teenagers were using the facility unsupervised, not subject to any rule. Sometimes unpleasant events happened with elderly local people, children and teenagers were often quarrelling and occasionally there were incidents involving small thefts and drug dealing. 80% of the children who attended the recreational centre were foreigners from Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. These teenagers were not looked after by their families. They spent most of their free time playing football at the recreational centre’s football pitch.

The aim of the educator was to become a reference point, an adult person available to stay with children and teens and to help them building together positive relationships and activities, setting fair rules and assuring a safe playing and meeting environment..

The purpose of this project was to redevelop the parish recreational center showing the presence of a friendly parish community, providing a place for entertainment activities to aggregate and facilitate social relations. The ultimate goal was to effectively contribute in the prevention of youth social problems.

ACCORDING TO THE AIM AND PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT VARIOUS EVENTS FOR TEENS HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED SUCH AS SPORTS TOURNAMENTS AND PARTIES.

FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT FOR TEENAGERS

FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT FOR CHILDREN

CONTEST SKATEBOARD

CREATIVITY'S WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILYS

ROCK CONCERT

TOURNAMENTS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN

PROJECT DEVELOPEMENTS Since 2011 many things have changed. The educator has promoted the development of a network in the area, to encourage collaborative relations with the neighborhood, the schools, the local social services and voluntary organizations. The project has always been economically supported by the city administration. The area became a safer place with no more crime episodes.

THE “SCLABRINI” PRIZE In 2014 the parish of Sant’Andrea won a special award for the project: the “Scalabrini” prize was awarded by the association Migrantes of Vicenza for the best educational practices in the field of intercultural dialogue and actions taken in favor of young foreigners.

THE ASSOCIATION “ O.S.A. CON NOI ” Today “O.S.A. con NOI” association works in partnership with the educator and the parish to organize arts and crafts activities for children, sports tournaments and entertainment for teenagers, study help, summer workshops and recreational events for adults and elderly people.

EVENTS FOR CHILDREN

PROJECTS ON THE PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL ADDICTION

EVENTS FOR FAMILIES

THE PARISH RECREATIONAL CENTRE TODAY Parents have now a place to get together and stay with their own children during the afternoons, offering the opportunity to meet other families and play in a safe environment An indoor dedicated area is available for teens to play table tennis and table football, listen to the music and organize parties. After school study help is available with particular attention to foreign students. The educator is available and guarantees the opening of the recreational centre 3 afternoons per week.

The parish recreational centre is nowadays attended by both Italian and foreign children, teens and their families living in the Sant’Andrea district and nearby. Community life runs safely and peacefully and Sant’Andrea recreational centre has become an important gathering place for the local population. The continuous collaboration with the city of Vicenza allows to effectively promote a welcoming environment and social and educational best practices.