(ANS - Belo Horizonte)- The new headquarters of Cesam-MG was inaugurated in Belo Horizonte, in the state of Minas Gerais, on Friday 18 July. This is an association that works with and for adolescents and young people to strengthen family, social and professional ties. It now has the use of a larger and more modern structure.

The inauguration ceremony in the new office in the Gameleira district was attended by students, educators, Salesians, staff and representatives of partner companies. The building was previously owned by the Saint John Bosco Province in Brazil-Belo Horizonte, and for many years served as a house of formation.

The renovation, funded by the German Government, the NGO "Don Bosco Mondo" and the province of Belo Horizonte, allows the space to be adapted to meet the new requirements. The property now has rooms suitable for group activities, equipped with multimedia systems, computer labs, a dining hall, rooms for individual care, a room for medical visits and spaces where people can come together.

During the ceremony, the Provincial, Fr Orestes Carlinhos Fistarol, spoke about the mission and work of the Salesians: "When we look at young people, we look at them the way Don Bosco looked at them. We see in them people to be saved. We  are conscious that by saving the life of a young person, we are working to build the present and the future of human society."

The Rector of the house, Fr Jairo de Matos, was careful to emphasize the true purpose of Cesam-MG. "We should remember that Cesam is not only aimed at integrating young people into the labour market. Employment is just one of the strategies we use for the education of young people. Our main goal is to help the poorer young people in society to become good Christians and honest citizens, as Don Bosco wanted."

During the ceremony, the new building was blessed by Father de Matos.  The ribbon-cutting ceremony and the unveiling of a plaque celebrating the inauguration marked the official launch of the new site. The programme ended with a festive meal for all those present.

Cesam-MG  has been active since 1973, developing projects in accordance with the Statute of the Child and Adolescent, the Organic Law of Social Assistance and Federal Law No. 10.097/2000 on apprenticeship. Currently, the unit serves about 1,400 families and has over 130 business partners, including Fiat, Vallourec, CTBU, Cemig and Caixa Economica Federal.

In addition to Minas Gerais, Cesam is also present in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Goiás and the Federal District, serving thousands and thousands of young people. It offers social protection activities that allow the promotion of their rights, civic participation and access to the labour market.

Published 23/07/2014