"My [volunteer] experience has helped me in so many ways to have a more complete understanding of Italy. It's a great place to practice my Italian and expand my vocabulary. I've also learned some very interesting (and I think employable) skills working with children and understanding how they learn best. Most importantly, I've gained some fascinating insights about Italian culture and personal interactions which are strikingly different than the ones I'm familiar with."
- Cosmo, Lewis and Clark College
Service-learning in Italy provides the opportunity to experience social service in a country whose complicated political, economic, and social realities rarely permit the foreigner access to become an active part of society. You will serve 15-20 hours per week in an established Italian social agency, and may choose one of two service themes to work intensively within: healthcare or immigrant aid.
You will serve 15-20 hours each week with one or more of the following agencies: the Misericordia and emergency medical assistance, the Association for disabled children, the University of Siena research department of virology and molecular biology, the Diabetes Association, or other Sienese organizations.
You will serve 15-20 hours a week in a variety of organizations that provide assistance and basic necessities to immigrants, as well as cultural mediation and programming. Some of the organizations include but are not limited to: the Corte dei Miracoli, the Siena Bancarella (food bank) and La Caritas (local soup kitchen).
You will serve 15-20 hours a week in a variety of organizations that provide assistance and basic necessities to immigrants, as well as cultural mediation and programming. Some of the organizations include but are not limited to: the Corte dei Miracoli, the Siena Bancarella (food bank) and La Caritas (local soup kitchen).
Following are examples of agencies where IPSL students have served in the past or may be able to serve. Other service placements may be available. Your placement will be determined by community and agency needs, as well as your interests, goals, and skills (including Italian language ability).
The Associazione Le Bollicine is an organization that provides various forms of physical therapy to children and adults with disabilities. Students work at the organization’s newly constructed stables and helping with riding therapy, “ippoterapia”. Responsibilities will vary, as Le Bollicine is a very hands-on organization. Students with previous riding experience may be asked to work solely with preparing the horses, while others will do any number of odd jobs on the grounds. The therapy sessions are individual, so there is always a need for volunteers to sit and talk with the people who are waiting to go in. In addition, students may be asked to help with the maintenance and structural improvements to the center as well as administrative support.
Population Served: Children with disabilities
Areas of Service:
Disabilities
/
Children & Youth
/
Administration
/
Construction
La Proposta runs, in the medieval gardens, “L'Orto De' Pecci”, a restaurant which employs recovering drug addicts, ex-convicts, and individuals with special needs. Students are able to assist in cooking food for restaurant employees, preparing the dining area for customers, and cleaning the kitchen. Students also have the opportunity to work in the gardens, both in restoration and in the cultivation of vegetables.
Population Served: Persons in need
Areas of Service:
Food services/distribution
/
Environment
Students can work at a local elderly residence providing service to those who are no longer able to entirely care for themselves. The facility is located in the center of Siena and employs both professional caregivers as well as volunteers from the community. Activities in which students participate include excursions, games/ entertainment, serving meals, and simply providing company to those who are in need of human contact.
Population Served: Elderly people
Areas of Service:
Elderly
/
Recreation
/
Companionship
The Bancarella Alimentare is a program sponsored by the Misericordia for those in need. Here students volunteer to help run a local food bank twice a week funded by the Misericordia. Students work alongside Italian volunteers in the distribution of non-perishable food items.
Population Served: Persons in need (primarily immigrants)
Areas of Service:
Food services/distribution
/
Immigrant/refugee issues & aid
An organization in Siena dedicated to helping immigrants find work, learn Italian, find healthcare, and other needs. Students can volunteer in the office offering administrative support as well as work directly with immigrants in need. Activities include Internet research, translations, accompanying people to offices, coordinating interviews, setting up appointments, etc.
Population Served: Immigrants
Areas of Service:
Immigrant/refugee issues & aid
/
Social services
/
Healthcare
/
Administration
/
Research
Located just a short walk south of the Piazza del Campo, La Caritas is a Roman Catholic organization dedicated to helping those in need. Though all are welcome to their services, their soup kitchen and used clothing distribution center primarily serve Siena’s immigrant population. Everyone from immigrants from Romania to refugees from Sudan enjoy the warm meals at the church’s daily lunch as well as the services provided by their clothing bank, which distributes local donations varying from books to bed dressings, as well as providing free shower supplies and access to their shower facility.
On a weekly basis, a combined total of over 300 immigrants make use of the resources provided by both the soup kitchen and clothing distribution center. The 90 religious sisters who live on the premises, as well as volunteers ranging from college students to Siena natives, help prepare and serve the daily meals as well as collect, organize, and distribute clothing. La Caritas also functions as a dormitory for women, children, and elderly in need of care and lodging.
Population Served: Primarily immigrants in the city of Siena
Areas of Service:
Food services/distribution
/
Immigrant/refugee issues & aid
The Arciconfraternità della Misericordia di Siena is an association dating back to the Middle Ages that is dedicated to volunteer medical assistance and community service. Students who work with this organization can choose to focus their energies on a variety of medical realities. They will work alongside medical volunteers in an ambulance providing assistance in transporting patients to and from the hospital, and will be trained in the various levels of emergency medical assistance through courses offered by the Misericordia: basic and advanced levels of emergency medical assistance and a specialized course for on-call residential service. Working with the Misericordia, students will get to know personally medical and paramedical personnel of every level and be offered a detailed picture of the Italian healthcare system. In the interests of cultural exchange, students will also be encouraged to organize English language workshops for fellow volunteers, as English is very useful in a popular tourist destination such as Siena. Please note that this placement has a minimum of a two-month stay.
Population Served: People in need of emergency care, emergency medical personnel
Areas of Service:
Healthcare
/
ESL
