Description of organisation

Caritas Diocesana Jesina is the pastoral body of the local Church that promotes the testimony of charity in forms appropriate to the times and needs. It aims at the development of man, at social justice and peace, always with a special attention to those with special needs and fewer opportunities.

Founded in 1972, it has been entrusted with these tasks:
- to deepen the theological motivations of the service of charity;
- to promote, by means of animation, this service in concrete forms, promotional and preventive of distress;
- coordinate Christian-inspired charitable and assistance initiatives and works;
- to carry out studies and research into present needs and their causes;
- promote voluntary work and the training of charity workers.

In the direction of promoting activities with a public impact and the management of charitable and welfare structures and services, in 2010 the Bishop endowed Caritas with the Foundation Centro Servizi Caritas Diocesana Jesina "P. Oscar" - ONLUS, thus providing concrete answers to situations of social and economic hardship through the services available at the headquarters (listening centre, canteen, distribution of food and clothing, solidarity projects, observatory of poverty and resources).

The Caritas of Jesi employs 15 people and it is supported by around 50 volunteers (both regular and occasional), therefore it is a big, strong and well-established reality. Caritas Diocesana Jesina and the Foundation operate thanks to the service of volunteers and experienced operators, who have been joined by young people in Civil Service since 2004.

Caritas manages two reception centres, a counseling centre and they also have a doctor’s office that helps people in need for free. The first reception centre "CASA DELLE GENTI" has the aim of welcoming homeless Italian and foreign men for a period of time, to respond to the growing demand for help from this particular type of user. The service has a maximum of 16 beds, the access is subject to acceptance and signing of the regulations and compliance with the main rules of common living. The duration of the stay is limited to a maximum of 15 days, which may be repeated no more than 3 times within a year and not earlier than 3 months after the last stay.

The second reception centre is “CASA ALLEANZA”, a semi-residential facility with the aim of welcoming for a period of time (from 6 months to one year, which may be extended) Italian and foreign men who have roots in the local area and a prospect of autonomy through an individual project that sees the improvement of their socio-economic condition. The service has a maximum of 6 beds and access is subject to a recommendation by the local public or private services and a subsequent assessment by the joint Caritas/SP committee.
The counseling centre is Caritas’ core activity: it is the place where not only the needs of the person are examined, but above all their history, their experience, their surroundings and the resources they have. Each situation is examined and evaluated in depth: this is why there are usually several interviews with the user and the tendency is to avoid an immediate response. Instead, an attempt is made to draw up a project leading to a lasting solution to the problem, making use of the individual's resources and potential. Through the interview, the volunteer collects and deepens information and tries to elaborate a project on the individual and with the individual, which helps him to recover his dignity, through indications of personal commitment and with the involvement of Caritas, social services and private structures.