The new creative center dedicated to children, built inside the former nursery school in via del Santuario, was inaugurated yesterday evening in the Sant’Ippolito district. The mayor of Cosenza Franz Caruso cut the ribbon, underlining the social and educational value of the initiative.
A project against educational poverty
«I am really happy that the new year begins in Sant’Ippolito with the inauguration of this creative center dedicated to our children – stated Caruso – where, with the support of the professionals who will work there, they will be able to bring out and enhance their talents». The structure was born from the desire of the municipal administration to implement concrete policies to combat educational poverty, especially in the areas of the territory that have remained marginalized for a long time.
Free activities and space recovery
«With this intervention – explained the mayor – we have achieved three important objectives». On the one hand, support for families and children, who will be able to take advantage of free afternoon activities such as after-school activities, educational enhancement, emotional education, cultural and recreational workshops; on the other, the redevelopment of the former school, closed for over ten years and now returned to the neighborhood as a meeting place.
Regeneration of the suburbs
The inauguration is part of a broader strategy for the regeneration of the suburbs. «I have always believed – added Caruso – that a city cannot grow if it does not develop as a whole. This is why we have invested with determination in popular and densely populated neighborhoods, creating integration and strengthening the entire city.”
The mayor also recalled the interventions already carried out in Sant’Ippolito, from the Café Alzheimer to the conversion of the former district into an autism centre.
A sign of attention and hope
«The Recreation Center inaugurated today – concluded Franz Caruso – is not just a physical place, but a concrete sign of attention, care and hope. It is an investment in children, in their future and in the serenity of families. We want every neighborhood to feel part of a common project, listened to and valued.”
Authority and management of the service
The inauguration was also attended by the Councilor for Welfare Veronica Buffone, the Councilor for Public Works Damiano Covelli and the EQ official of the Social Services Sofia Vetere, responsible for the planning together with the sector operators. The project is part of the service to combat educational poverty of the social welfare sector no. 1, of which Cosenza is the leading municipality. Management is entrusted to the Vitasì social cooperative, winner of the tender.