As winter temperatures drop, Caritas Diocesana Verona is reinforcing its efforts to support the city’s most vulnerable, including homeless people and migrants waiting outside the Verona police headquarters for essential documents. These initiatives include additional shelter beds and a mediation service to ease tensions and provide support to those in long queues.

Warmth and shelter: new additions this winter

Among the key measures is the opening of eight beds inside the Bishop’s Residence, a first for Verona. Since early December, the Episcopal Palace has welcomed homeless people each evening, offering a simple dinner, a safe and warm place to sleep, and breakfast the following morning. This initiative, warmly embraced by Bishop Domenico Pompili, is managed by Caritas staff and volunteers, including young people from the diocesan youth ministry and priests.

Additional beds have also been added to existing facilities:

  • Casa della Cooperativa Il Samaritano in Zai: 10 extra beds.
  • Casa Corbella in Cadidavid: capacity increased from 18 to 20 for individuals with medical needs.
  • San Giovanni Evangelista Parish in Santa Lucia: 15 beds managed by the Community of Young People Cooperative.
  • Santa Maria Maddalena Parish in Saval: 3 beds.
  • Domegliara, in collaboration with the association Oltre il Confine: 9 beds for men and women.
  • Villafranca, in a property owned by Fondazione Historie: 7 beds for men.

These shelters operate thanks to partnerships with parishes, local associations, and funding from the Comune di Verona and Ulss 9’s District 4 Social Services.

Mediation services for migrants at the police headquarters

A groundbreaking initiative launched this summer addresses the challenges faced by migrants queuing outside the Verona Questura on Lungadige Galtarossa. Caritas staff and volunteers now provide mediation between the waiting individuals, police guards, and officials, offering a sense of dignity and understanding during the long wait.

Since September, Caritas staff have been present every morning, offering assistance, guidance, and, more recently, hot tea during cold weather. Following a successful trial, Verona’s new Chief of Police, Rosaria Amato, has expanded the service to include afternoon shifts and activities inside the gates to further support the orderly flow of people.

Call for volunteers

To sustain and expand these services, Caritas Verona is actively seeking volunteers. A new informational session will take place on Tuesday, December 17, at 6 PM, at the 311 Verona office, near the Questura.

Interested individuals can reach out via WhatsApp at +39 392 980 6683 or email ilsamaritano@caritas.vr.it for more information.