Sphere | Listening point | Teenagers | Families
A listening space in which to prevent adolescent discomfort at birth and a place for parents who have doubts, questions or fears related to the behavior of children who are going through a delicate phase of growth. A phase that the pandemic has made even more fragile. In Verona there is a service dedicated to teenagers and families. It is called Sfera (Space for families and adolescents network) and was inaugurated yesterday, April 21, in Via del Carroccio in San Zeno. It is a point of listening, guidance and advice that the Municipality wanted to create to give further support to families with adolescent children.
A project of which the Municipality is the leader and which sees the collaboration of four social cooperatives (Don Calabria, Albero, Codess, Energie Sociali) and the contribution of the Cariverona Foundation. All united by the goal of offering support capable of strengthening parenting skills and overcoming problems and discomforts in the bud which, if neglected, could lead to more serious ones.
Inside the center there are four operators, educators who with their experience will provide users with the required support. The service wants to reach out and reach those families who are followed by social services and who do not want to come into contact with institutionalized services because they do not require the need to adopt their malaise in a neutral place, where they can find initial support and guidance.
Sfera is the last service in chronological order put in place by the Municipality of Verona during the pandemic in favor of minors and in particular adolescents. The first action was carried out through the educational system, making professional resources and precious time available to the children and adolescents of the city. The second action was of an economic nature: many families have in fact presented difficulties in coping with the basic needs of their lives. Then various interventions were implemented that supported 694 families followed with economic aid; 624 exemptions from school meals, in addition to shopping vouchers. Finally, action in favor of didactics for children and preteens who experience distance learning with difficulty.
(Ribbon Cutting Ball)
Yesterday, the symbolic ribbon cutting of Sfera was attended by the mayor Federico Sboarina, together with the councilor for social services Maria Daniela Maellare. Also present were the managing director of the Anna Leso family, the municipal councilor Andrea Bacciga, the manager of the minor area of the Municipality of Verona Damiano Mattiolo, the abbot of San Zeno Gianni Ballarini and the representatives of the cooperatives.
«The family is an absolute priority for the administration – said the mayor – With this initiative we try to give answers to the new problems generated by the pandemic. The health emergency has left deep wounds on our children and we try to heal them by providing invaluable help to parents struggling with the difficulties of this particular age group. Furthermore, we are about to start with other new projects that will network various local areas and enhance existing services with great potential especially to be exploited to intervene concretely in situations of need ».
“Being an educating community is complex, but it is a challenge that passes from the ability to join forces, to know how to listen to and decode the signs of discomfort that our children show in different ways and to support parents who are often helpless in the face of some manifestations of their children that frighten and disorient them – added the commissioner Maellare – In this space, many parents and children send the answers they are looking for ».