Everyone has passions they want to nurture. Often we find ways to share them with others in daily life—and sometimes, we even turn them into work. The Cassiavass cooperative, among its many projects, does exactly this: it gives young people with disabilities the chance to experience what daily work looks like at their social center in Rome. The goal is to include them in a community and help them become a resource for society by highlighting their abilities.
The cooperative was founded in 1980 from the merger of the Avass association and the Cassia cooperative—the heart of their commitment to cooperative work. Over the years, as the organization has grown, it has never lost sight of its volunteer spirit, placing itself at the service of the most vulnerable. Every member of the cooperative has demonstrated a deep belief in the mission and the capacity to understand and respond to real needs.
The center is open Monday through Friday, and among its many activities are several tied to cooking and food service. The young people build skills by tending a garden with over four hundred plants, creating menus, learning to prepare dishes, and setting up and decorating rooms for the events held at the facility.
Among the center's goals is the inclusion of young people with disabilities and giving them a real feel for what daily work involves.
They work in small groups based on what they prefer to do, forming genuine work teams with increasingly strong bonds. Professional educators and social workers guide them, teaching them how to work and experience greater independence. New activities are created each year, with specialists and chefs offering courses in different culinary skills—pasta, frying, pastries, and more.
Throughout the week, the center prepares meals for a group of elderly residents, assisted by volunteers who work alongside the staff and educators on various projects. The center's commitment to full inclusion means it collaborates with many local organizations, including the Cesano pro loco and other neighborhood groups.
«What we love most about this work is the smile on the young people's faces when they succeed, when their work results in a final product entirely of their own making. The center's doors are never closed, and we're always looking for stimulating activities. We try to support families and give their young people good days,» say Roberto Bianchi (professional community educator and center director) and Marzia Toja (cooperative president). Come visit and meet this community. You'll be welcomed with open arms.
