The option for poor youngsters, abandoned and at risk and those in conflict with the law, has always been at the heart and life of the Salesians of Don Bosco from the beginning right down to the present day. It has occasioned initiatives everywhere in a great variety of structures and services.

Today’s situation challenges the Salesians to find more creative responses. Poverty has become ever more prevalent to an extent which makes it a tragic dimension of the lives of many young people, leading many of them to distress and, in some cases, to deviancy.

With poverty comes emargination which is not merely a purely economic phenomenon, but “a reality which touches individual consciences and challenges the mentality of society.” Education is therefore a fundamental element for its prevention and suppression, and also a more specific and original contribution which the Salesians are providing.

Through their four Centers totally dedicated to Youth in Difficult Circumstances, the Salesians educate hundreds of children and young men. Don Bosco presents his system as the most suitable for the rescue and re-education of young people who have already been delinquents or otherwise seriously emarginated.


The Boys’ Home is a place where street children -- homeless, abandoned rejected and economically poor boys -- are cared for and given the opportunity to help themselves in life through education, training, formation, and psycho-social interventions.


The Training Center inside the Juvenile Prison is a second-chance opportunity, where young offenders are assisted in acquiring a technical skill for gainful or self-employment which will help them in their re-integration into society.


The Salesian Social Services are means and actions that promote the person, family, and community. These are undertaken to help improve people’s lives.

Their four Social Service Centers also allow the Salesians to assist families as a whole by extending health care, parenting support, and formation to social responsibility. Through these works, the Salesians confront the reality of social exclusion and disadvantage, and aim to prevent families from falling into further poverty, misery, and abuse.

On a preventive note, the Salesians are conducting formation and support for the family through programs on responsible and effective parenting.


Hand in Hand with Partners
These Salesian works and Salesian services have social and political dimensions. They promote a culture of concern for others, of sobriety, of availability and readiness to share selflessly, in a work which is very open to acceptance and support for whoever has need.

Lay people play an important part as they collaborate in the transformation of the very real situation of social exclusion, rescuing and revitalizing of these youngsters. Through generous donations and volunteer participation, these Salesian Centers have managed to keep their operations running and relevant.

These works with young people in difficult circumstances require professional training, specialized programs and collaboration with civil institutions.

The Salesians are looking forward to:
- joining vigorous public awareness campaigns on the plight of youth at risk;
- forming linkages with institutions engaging young people with other special needs, namely:

• abused/exploited youth;
• drug dependents;
• youth with disabilities;
• indigenous youth;
• youth in situations of armed conflict; and
• young victims of natural disasters and calamities.