The event marked an important milestone for the Salesian network in Piedmont and for the Lower Susa Valley: at the heart of the morning, in fact, was the shared desire to restore a renewed educational role to the historic house in Avigliana, capable of becoming a stable point of reference for young people, especially those who are most vulnerable or at risk of dropping out of school.

A project born of collaboration

Following the initial welcome, the meeting opened with official greetings from the director, Elisabetta Scavino, and the Superior of the Salesians of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta, Fr Leonardo Mancini, followed by a presentation of the initiative’s overall framework. Architect Paolo Genero outlined theLa Comunità che Educa project , whilst Alessandro Brescia provided further details on the actions already underway and the future developments of Costellazioni.

Notable among the participants were the Mayor of Avigliana, Andrea Archinà, and the President of the CRT Foundation, Anna Maria Poggi.

For his part, the Rector Major, in his much-appreciated address, recalled that “the power of love is the answer to the culture of power”, highlighting the evangelical and social roots of the Salesian educational commitment.

A home that once again generates a future

The project launched in Avigliana views the Madonna dei Laghi house not merely as a building to be repurposed, but as a living, open and generative space: a place capable of welcoming, guiding, forming and networking diverse experiences. The shared objective is to build an educational environment in which young people, families, Salesian communities, institutions and local organisations can collaborate to offer new opportunities for growth.

AGS for the ETS Territory will play a key role, tasked with coordinating project activities and enhancing the educational experiences already present in various local contexts.

At the same time, the CRT Foundation, which has been committed to combating educational poverty for years, has reiterated the importance of initiatives capable of generating a real impact on the local area. The co-design work launched with the Salesian Richelmy Institute and AGS for the ETS Territory aims precisely to transform the Madonna dei Laghi Sanctuary complex into a leading educational and community hub for the Lower Susa Valley, accompanied by constant monitoring of its social impact.

The morning continued with a visit and a moment of reflection at the Sanctuary, where the Rector Major imparted the blessing of Mary Help of Christians. This was followed by a symbolic gesture: the planting of a pomegranate tree by Fr Attard and President Poggi, a sign of a community wishing to put down roots and bear fruit.

The event concluded with a convivial gathering in the House’s grounds. “A beautiful day, a great alliance, with a common goal: united against educational poverty,” commented the President of CRT at the end of the meeting.

With Costellazioni and La Comunità che Educa, Avigliana reaffirms itself as a symbolic and tangible place of educational partnership: a home that holds an important history and which today is preparing to create new opportunities for young people, especially for those who most need to be guided, listened to and supported.

Source: Salesians ICP

{gallery}ICP – Avigliana 2026{/gallery}