Castiglione Launches Social Secretariat for Immigrant Integration
The social Secretariat service desk in Castiglione is now operational. Following the confirmation of regional funding, the Province of Mantova, the promoter of the initiative, has approved the implementation of the service desk for immigrants, which was created through collaboration between the province, Comune di Castiglione, the towns of the Alto Mantovano area, and trade union and volunteer associations.
The office is located at number 1 via Marta Tana, in a space provided by the local administration, where municipal social services are also based. “The Municipality, in addition to providing the premises – explains Councillor Biaggi – will cover the operating costs of the service desk and will assign its own social worker.”
In the future, a full-time operator will need to be hired, a responsibility that will fall to the administrations of the various towns in the Alto Mantovano area. Several volunteers, who have already undergone specialized training in social secretariat management, will support the service for foreigners. The desk will offer assistance in various areas, including legal support, processing bureaucratic paperwork, and procedures for family reunification.
Objectives and activities of the service
“Our goal,” comments Erminia Biaggi, “is the integration of the large immigrant population in Castiglione. The Municipality has long been offering services for these people, such as Mondolandia for children of the Five Continents, the Sade program for home-based educational assistance, and initiatives promoting multiculturalism in collaboration with local schools.” It is worth noting that approximately 1,100 legal immigrants reside in San Luigi, representing over 50 different ethnic groups from all continents, and making up about 6% of the total population.
The Province‘s initiative of Social Secretariat complements the ” Spazio immigrati ” operated by CGIL, active for two years and managed by two volunteers, one of whom is Moroccan. This space primarily focuses on protecting foreigners in the workplace.