February in ASCS: Between International Volunteering and the Borders of Calais and Oulx
February for ASCS was the month of deep encounter and walking. Despite its few days on the calendar, it has taken us far: from the snowy paths of Oulx to the shores of Calais, via the energy of classrooms and the warmth of our homes in Rome and Milan.
It was the month in which we began to shape the “volunteers of tomorrow, “ but it was also a time to face the reality of borders, discovering that while our feet may be cold, our hearts can burn with passion and solidarity.
The beating heart: International Volunteer Training Course 2026 kicks off
On Feb. 21 and 22 in Turin, Italy, the journey for new ASCS volunteers and volunteers officially began. The first weekend of the International Volunteer Training Course was a concentration of energy and awareness.
Why do I do it? In this first appointment we did not look for ready answers, but we asked the right questions. We dug into our motivations: what really drives us toward each other? We realized that the role of the volunteer is not that of the one who “saves,” but of the one who chooses to walk alongside, to listen and to be a bridge. It is not just about doing, but about being present.
An intense, exciting and beauty-filled beginning. The journey has just begun!
Migration routes: evidence from the Oulx and Calais Borders.
February marked two milestones in our engagement on migration routes, where the border stops being a line and becomes flesh and history.
- Oulx Border (Feb. 5-7): Three days of training and sharing on the alpine route. We walked in the footsteps of those seeking a future beyond the mountains, feeling the emotional vulnerability of those who do not feel “other” than people in transit, but part of the same destiny.
- Calais Border (Feb. 27-March 1): The mission in France taught us that the border is a place of responsibility that questions us deep inside. We return home with eyes full of stories and hands that taste of solidarity, ready to turn what we saw into active witness.
Inclusion in Milan and Rome: Houses that welcome and creative workshops
In our city venues, February saw the intertwining of practical autonomy and expressive creativity.
Milan: creativity, theater and participation
- Remix Workshop with Useful Theater: We used dance and creative writing as tools for self-narrative and worked on communication between parents and children to counter school dropout.
- Volunteers More Bridges Less Walls: The Feb. 17 community dinner was a valuable time of review to improve the way we tell the world of migration through play and dialogue.
Rome: open day at Scalabrini House and active citizenship
- Scalabrini House Open Day (Feb. 1): Incredible attendance for the launch of new courses in Italian, Computer Science, Tailoring and Driving School. The house is confirmed as a pillar for people’s autonomy.
- Citizenship and Spirituality: From the Cardinal Vicar’s visit to the volunteer family dinner, we reiterated that fraternity is built at the table and in daily confrontation.
- Scalamusic Academy: Music continues to be our universal language, uniting different cultures in Holy Redeemer Parish.
Schools and Territories: Raising Awareness for Change
Our efforts to form informed citizens have touched several Italian cities through three participatory tools:
- The Game: More than 200 students in Chieri, and many more in Rimini and Turin, participated in the viewing of “Io Capitano” and educational workshops, reflecting on the travails and hopes of those facing the migration journey.
- Crossover (Feb. 26): In Chieri, we tackled a difficult topic: the situation of foreign prisoners in Italian prisons. Together with the Antigone Association, we discussed denied rights and paths to dignity.
- Backway (Feb. 19): Experimenting with the impossible. Together with the operators and volunteers of Popoli Insieme, we tried our hand at Backway, a board game that is, in fact, anything but. The name recalls the term used in The Gambia to refer to the route to Europe: a “back way out,” the only way left when the regular one is barred. Moving on a map, we retraced the true stories of the people we met along these paths. It was a valuable moment to experience firsthand the complexity of the choices and obstacles of those who set out on the journey, turning the narrative into an experience of deep empathy.
How to support ASCS
February showed us that every encounter is a journey and every journey changes us. Whether it is through a theater workshop in Milan, a dinner in Rome, or a Boundary weekend in Calais, our mission is to stay human, together.
Do you want to be part of this change?
- Support our activities.
- Follow our channels to stay updated on upcoming activities.
A House that welcomes changes the world. Help us build it.
