A heartwarming October: memory, meetings and community puzzles
Our October in ASCS? It was a month that literally took us to many different places, in addition to the projects and actions we carry out in Italy and around the world. A month in which Memory became action, dialogue became a bridge (and a puzzle!) and our community continued to weave bonds.
From the squares of Piedmont to the heart of the Vatican, to the welcoming and training spaces of Milan and Rome, passing by the islands of Malta and Lampedusa, we reaffirmed our commitment not to forget and to build a future with more bridges and fewer walls. We tell you what we did together!
Memory in action: from Chieri to the islands
The month opened with a moment that touches the chords of our mission. On
Our “Beyond Borders” efforts then took us to two iconic Mediterranean islands:
- Lampedusa (Oct. 24-29) : For three years, our presence on the island has been renewed like a thin thread weaving encounters and stories. In October 2025, the Fall Expedition guarded this legacy. With the presentation of the exhibition “Unbroken Humanity” at Agricola Mpidusa and the Historical Archives, we celebrated the continuity of a collective narrative that connects the faces of the Balkan route to the stories of the Mediterranean. Being on the island, alongside those who live the border every day, is for us a gesture of fidelity to the hope of building a world with more bridges and fewer walls.
- Malta (Oct. 23-26): With Through Malta, we experienced three days of encounter and contextual knowledge. Together with members of Christian Life Community – CLC Malta, we met with migrants, refugees and local entities involved in reception, to get a close understanding of how migration is experienced in another crucial country on the central Mediterranean route.
Art that unites: music and theater in motion
Art has been one of our strongest voices this month and has resonated to the heart of the Vatican.
On October 5, our music reached St. Peter’s Square: the project Scalamusic had the honor of animating the musical moment before the Holy Mass for the Jubilee of Migrants and the Missionary World, then participating in the Feast of Peoples with songs and dances.
But it didn’t end there! On October 25, Scalamusic was also the protagonist of the final session of the Jubilee of Synodal Teams in the Paul VI Hall. With four multilingual songs, sung and choreographed, we reaffirmed in music the beauty of walking together, welcoming and humanity on the way. It was exciting to engage the entire audience in the refrain of a song choreographed with sign language, a true symbol of the universality of a message of peace.
From singing to theater, our denunciation found new forms of expression with the play “Men or corporals“, an intense monologue that gives voice to Jasnoor’s story and brings to the stage the harsh reality of exploitation and corporalism. Through its words and narrative power, the show has traveled across Italy inviting the audience to reflect on denied rights and the dignity of labor.
Its journey touched on several significant stops in October: on October 23 in Palermo, as part of the Sabir Festival, where the issue of migrant workers’ rights was at the center of the debate; on October 24 in Chivasso, at the meeting “Work is Dignity,” which opened a discussion on the forms of exploitation that are still widespread; and finally on October 25 in Chieri, in the context of the Festival of Welcoming, where reflection was intertwined with the value of inclusion and collective memory.
Milan: a mosaic of communities
Our Milan office has been a veritable laboratory of encounters, where every piece of our community has found space to grow and share.
We began by giving space to the beating heart of our association: the volunteers.
- On Oct. 4 and 5, Post Camp 2025 brought together Through 2025 volunteers, a weekend in which young people who have had ASCS summer experiences met to reflect on boundaries, places seen and feelings felt in the various activities. It was all crucial in turning a summer experience into steps to be generative toward the future. How do we continue to bring that commitment into the everyday life of the territories we live every day? On what actions to focus our presence? How to continue to be active young citizens?
- On October 16, we experienced an evening dedicated to the volunteers from Milan.. After a dinner, everyone wrote their dreams and values on a puzzle tile: by joining them, we saw composed the image of our community, strong and cohesive.
- October 18 was the turn of volunteers who returned from experiences abroad (Latin America, South Africa, Ceuta and Calais). A time to reframe, see each other again and realize that even if the experience is over, the spark of change remains lit perhaps in new adventures!
- Finally, on October 20, the young youth animation volunteers met to plan upcoming activities.
In parallel, our projects have continued to weave networks of support and dialogue:
- OnOct. 8, Wasi and Remix teamed up for the meeting “Parents… on the Move,” a valuable time on parenting in cross-cultural contexts.
- OnOct. 11 , the Remix project restarted with a meeting on “Balance in Motion,” using photovoice and dance to explore cross-cultural identity.
- October 20 also marked the start of“From Fractures to Life,” an important training session on social generativity dedicated to our women workers, psychotherapists and migrant community leaders.
Rome: open doors, inclusion and… cheering!
Meanwhile, in Rome, October’s energy filled the Scalabrini House 634 with meetings and new possibilities.
On October 21, we experienced an“Evening of Intercultural Welcoming” for a group of adults: a total immersion in our reality, from the visit to the Casilino museum to the experience of“The Game,” to a wonderful dinner from the world with the people welcomed in the House. It was an opportunity to experience firsthand how welcoming and encountering can be generative and rich for all involved.
We also opened our doors to dialogue and training: on October 23, during the World in the Periphery Workshop, organized by the association The Donkeys, we had the opportunity to reflect on the topic of migration with many journalists and activists, who were able to get to know the House and our mission up close. On October 31, on the other hand, we welcomed students/students fromNotre Dame University for an awareness day that has already inspired some of them to start volunteering with us. Getting to know a new context where people live on the move and where so many activities are organized and wanting to be a part of it is always a new and beautiful adventure!
Also in Rome, we participated in the conference organized by the Scalabrini International Migration Institute with theme Migration, a Pilgrimage of Hope. Three days of meetings, speeches and panel discussions to address the challenges of human mobility with speakers and guests from around the world. During one of the panels, we were able to present as ASCS the workshop of The Game as a tool to raise awareness with respect to migration issues. The conference concluded with a visit to Casa Scalabrini 634, an ASCS hosting project, and a visit to Borgo Laudato Sì.
But inclusion sometimes also comes through 90 minutes of play! On October 29, thanks to a Sport and Health project, residents and friends of Casa Scalabrini were able to watch the Serie A match Roma-Parma live. It was an afternoon of pure community and cheering that made everyone feel part of something big.
The restart: it’s back to study!
Finally, October is par excellence the month of restarts. And what restart is more beautiful than the one that comes from the desire to learn, to meet and to grow together? Our venues are once again filled with voices, smiles and curiosity: spaces that come alive again thanks to those who enliven them every day.
In Milan, from October 6., classes in dance therapy, Italian, computer science, yoga and the job orientation desk have restarted: valuable opportunities to intertwine knowledge, experiences and cultures.
In Rome, the Open Day on October 7. at Casa Scalabrini 634 was a celebration of enthusiasm and participation: so many people came to register for courses in Italian, English, driving school, tailoring and the wonderful novelty of the gardening course.
Many thanks to those who make this possible: to the and students who choose to get involved, to the and volunteers who donate time and energy, and to those who, with passion and confidence, continue to believe that learning together is one of the most beautiful ways to build community.
Ignite a Spark of Change with ASCS
October showed us once again how building bridges means nourishing ourselves with memory, art, sports and, above all, relationships. Our activities are alive because of the energy of those who inhabit them and those who support them. Your commitment, even small, is a precious spark that can enrich someone’s life. And yours as well.
Get in on the action! Join us.
