Educational interventions for people with social and health difficulties in Italy : the case of a “welcoming community” for young and adults

This article presents a case study which we consider significant for the social work of “welcoming communities” in Italy. In the first part, we describe the history, methodologies and educational instruments aimed at young adults with social and work integration difficulties. In the second part, we present research, questions, methods and results of a field research carried out over 8 years, during which researchers were continuously present. All the 375 persons living in the welcoming community Villa S. Ignazio, in Northern Italy, have been observed. In the conclusions, we point out the main elements for a critical reflection that may lead to a methodological enhancement of the activities, also considering the global economic and political crisis which is particularly dangerous for the rights of the vulnerable people.