2000 volunteers mobilized for the Night of Solidarity in Rome
The face of solidarity has a name: Cristina. The look of solidarity can be seen in Luca’s eyes. The curly hair of Martina represents solidarity. These are the volunteers who have chosen to participate in the “Night of Solidarity,” an initiative promoted by the Department of Social Policies of Rome with the National Institute of Statistics to count the homeless population in the city. These volunteers registered through the dedicated portal for the event, making the census possible. The initiative, which was particularly supported by young people, saw the participation of over 2000 volunteers, as announced during a press conference at Campidoglio.
Out of the 1962 registered volunteers, more than 700 were university students, and 1657 were actively involved in the initiative. The majority of the participants, 62 percent, were women, while 37 percent were men. Among them, there were 795 university students and 328 volunteers over the age of 60. Six universities, 36 organizations, and 127 entities were involved in this initiative. All those who responded to the call for solidarity were organized into teams, divided into 20 clusters and 338 areas. Throughout Saturday night, they collaborated to identify and count homeless individuals living on the streets or in makeshift accommodations, dormitories, and shelters.
The realization of this initiative involved 36 associations, including the Red Cross, the Community of Sant’Egidio, “Angeli su due ruote” (Angels on Two Wheels), and “Mamma Roma.” Their common goal is to create a city that includes everyone and leaves no one on the margins, as Barbara Funari, the Councilor for Social Policies of Rome Capitale, explained during the press conference at Campidoglio. “Rome is leading the way, and 14 other cities will follow this model,” she added.
“The participation of young people is particularly important,” Funari continued. “They have told us that it is the first time they have approached and met someone living on the streets. Sometimes we think these experiences are far from us, but then we discover that many people, just like us, can end up homeless. This demonstrates that the participation of young people is possible, contrary to what is often said.” Rome is the first city to join this project, launched by Istat, and other cities will follow. “We, as Rome, have accepted the challenge of being the first to start. The next cities can take inspiration from our example and follow us as a model. Rome is the capital of solidarity, and we are proud to say that.”
The Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, explained that the Night of Solidarity in Rome is an important initiative for two reasons. “Firstly, it goes beyond the central areas and covers the entire city. The issue of homelessness does not only concern the areas that are frequently talked about. Homeless individuals are often considered problems rather than people in need. We cannot intervene without knowledge,” the Mayor said. “Rome must support those in need, but if it doesn’t know them, it cannot do so. This is an attempt to understand and help them better, providing them with a home and a path to integration. Our work is to build paths that invest in integration strategies, support, and assistance, offering these individuals a path to autonomy. They are not just numbers; they are people who need to be known and looked in the eyes.”
Cristina, a student at the University of Tor Vergata, passionately shared her experience: “Directly interacting with the most vulnerable was not easy, but even more challenging was reversing some roles and perspectives. We had the duty and honor to step into these people’s lives who, contrary to what one might think, want to be heard and listened to. We didn’t just count statistics; we counted entire lives.”
“The Night of Solidarity allowed us to grow as human beings,” Cristina concluded. “Our hope is that the number of participants continues to grow. These are the volunteers we admire,” she concluded, addressing the other volunteers.
The Night of Solidarity in Rome was a remarkable event that showcased the power of solidarity and compassion. It brought together thousands of volunteers from different backgrounds and ages who dedicated their time and energy to count and support homeless individuals. This initiative not only aimed to gather data but also to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those without a home. It emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing the needs of homeless individuals, ultimately working towards creating a city that includes everyone. The success of this event in Rome serves as an inspiration for other cities to follow suit and prioritize solidarity in their communities.
