(ANS – Madrid) – Ten years ago  the Salesians in Madrid launched the Pinardi Federation of Social Works, in order to bring together, support and encourage those works especially engaged with young people and children in danger of being socially excluded. To celebrate the anniversary, the Pinardi Federation planned various events, the first of which on 25 October  in the Salesian house of Atocha in Madrid was a ceremony to open the X anniversary.

The event began with greetings from the Provincial Fr Luis Onrubia, who spoke about the aims of the Pinardi Federation using its logo: a house which welcomes young people and children in danger of being socially excluded.

Then the sociologists Juan Iglesias and Fernando Vidal gave the results of a survey “On the shoulders of giants, factors leading to child immigrants being in danger”  which the Pinardi Federation commissioned in collaboration with the University of Comillas and with the sponsorship of the Madrid Local Authorities’ Department  for Immigration.

The Pinardi Federation brings together the social works of Pan Bendito (Madrid-Carabanchel), Lumbre (Madrid-Puerta del Sol), Naranjoven (Fuenlabrada), Las Naves (Alcalá de Henares), Valora (Parla) and Cabria (Puertollano). The name “Pinardi” is very significant in Salesian history being the name of the first house acquired by Don Bosco to begin his work of education.

Published 03/11/2011