Eight years ago we visited the family home in Endine (see article in Ombre e Luci no. 1/1987) and were welcomed warmly by Venerio and Vittoria Arosio and all the residents, among them the Arosios' two disabled daughters. It was a true family home, run by a couple who had opened their doors to eight young adults with disabilities. They lived together as one large family. They had created small workshops—assembling, leatherwork, carpentry—along with a bit of livestock and gardening. All of this gave the young people meaningful, rewarding work, but it also met a financial need. "With some pride and good will," the father told us eight years ago, "the young people, together with us, manage to earn their living."
Then the mother passed away and the project transformed. Today, under the direction of the Association La Nostra Famiglia, the Endine home remains alive—but now as a residential community. It has not abandoned its residents. Paolo, Alberto, Elena, Paola, Albertino, Tonino, Luca, Franco, another Franco, Daniela, Roberto, and Barbara live here under the guidance of an educator (a missionary by training). Count them: twelve—a good-sized group. Rolando, the educator in charge, doesn't try to be a father figure. He's more a recognized leader among the young residents. Rolando is truly the center of the house and everyone's life. He stays on weekends and holidays with those who have no family or friends elsewhere. In short, he has given himself to this community as a way of life.
The small workshops of the early days have since become a "Guided Work Center," thanks to the Alpine troops from Bergamo—the guardian angels of the original house, who renovated it. Now they have built a wonderful new workshop. It welcomes up to twenty-five people, including young people from the surrounding area. This work center is an example of professional standards (it has been recognized as a rehabilitation center) and good management.
But the human dimension remains at the heart of everything. Welcome is always the priority. "From the first day I found in this small community a willingness—very spontaneous on everyone's part, both residents and staff—to receive me and accept me, even though I didn't know them and was a stranger to them," says Terry D., who chose to spend his vacation living in the Endine community.
The residents also experience integration into the local community, something the Arosios cultivated from the beginning and that continues today through the parish and local families who invite the young people into their homes.
As the La Nostra Famiglia newsletter puts it, "this community is truly an oasis of peace."
Other residential communities run by La Nostra Famiglia are located in Como, Oderzo, Mandello Lario, Alberobello, and Lecce.
(We thank La Nostra Famiglia and Antonia Dulcimascolo for the information).
La Nostra Famiglia Community
Corso Repubblica 24060 ENDINE (BG) Tel. 035/825205
Website: https://lanostrafamiglia.it/it/
- The community was founded in 1987 and has been recognized by the Bergamo USL since January 1, 1995.
- The facility is owned by the Province of Bergamo.
- Funding is provided through an agreement with the Bergamo USL.
- The community is home to 12 residents with mild to moderate physical and mental disabilities who are meant to stay weekdays and spend weekends at home.
- Educators are present during the week; only the house manager remains on weekends.
- Cleaning and cooking are handled by external staff.
- Medical support is provided by the local public health physician.
- During the week, residents work at the Guided Work Center.