What’s left after a year of Civil Service: a lesson from Scalabrini House
Bianca’s
My name is Bianca and in 2025 I had the opportunity to do community service at Scalabrini House 634. When I started, I didn’t know exactly what to expect; I had many ideas, some concerns and a sincere desire to put myself at the service of others. Today, looking back, I can say. this year has not only enriched my knowledge, but has profoundly transformed the way I look at the world and the people in it.
This experience allowed me to approach the migration phenomenon in a concrete and human way. It is not just about statistics or numbers, but behind every story is a person with dreams, hopes, fears and fragilities. I met many people who were fleeing from difficult situations but still continued to seek opportunities and cultivate their dignity. Confronting these stories gave me a better understanding of the challenges migrants face on a daily basis, but it also allowed me to appreciate the riches they bring with them, the determination, courage, curiosity and desire to integrate and build a life of dignity.
This experience taught me the value of listening and empathy. Often, simply sitting next to someone and listening to their story without judgment can be the first concrete gesture of help. I have learned how important it is to put myself in others’ shoes, to understand their emotions, their difficulties and their needs, even when they are different from my own. Each person I met left me with something, a new perspective, a reflection, a life lesson that I could not have learned elsewhere.
At the same time, this experience was not without complex and emotionally challenging moments. Coming into contact with such fragile realities, with stories often marked by suffering, has challenged me. There were times when I felt helpless, wanting to do more but aware of my limitations. I learned that even small gestures, a smile, a word of encouragement or simply taking the time to listen to someone can be of enormous value. It was in these moments that I realized that helping does not always mean solving problems, but being there, sharing and supporting.
One of the aspects that struck me most was the strength of collaboration and solidarity. Working together with other volunteers and workers to create welcoming and supportive spaces showed how much everyone’s contribution, even small, can make a difference. I saw people supporting each other, sharing skills and moments of joy, and I learned that a sense of community comes from collaboration and a sincere desire to help. For me, particularly as a young person, it was an immense pleasure to be able to contribute; knowing that even my small efforts could make someone’s life more peaceful filled me with joy and gratification.
This experience has allowed me to develop qualities that I consider fundamental to life, empathy, resilience, patience and the ability to work in a team. I learned to manage emotions, to face reality with courage, to reflect on my actions and their impact on others. Each day was different, sometimes intense and challenging, other times full of smiles and moments of sharing that remain etched in my memory. Even in the most difficult moments, when difficulties seemed to overwhelm achievements, I understood that every gesture and every care for others has deep meaning.
Looking back, I can say that my community service at Scalabrini House has left me with a valuable wealth of experiences, emotions and values. It taught me that personal growth comes through challenges, through openness to others, and through a willingness to contribute to the common welfare. I learned that listening to and welcoming the stories of others enriches the listener as much as the listened to, and that gratitude and satisfaction come not only from what we receive, but especially from what we are able to give.
Community service at Scalabrini House 634 was not just a year of volunteer work, it was a journey of growth, but it was a journey of discovery. Even in the difficult moments, the joy of being able to do something for others and to be able to alleviate their difficulties a little made this experience unforgettable and valuable.
