An innovative community-based model aimed at lonely seniors and their families is being launched in Venice. The goal is to improve their quality of life by combating the risk of isolation and marginalization, as well as to support families in need who are facing increasingly complex situations involving the frailty of their loved ones. “You Are Not Alone!”—a project launched by the association “Corte del Forner” – which runs the “Emporio della solidarietà” in Venice – in collaboration with “Centro Santa Maria Mater Domini,” both organizations chaired by Anna Brondino – is the title of an initiative set to launch 3 new initiatives that will be hosted at the “Carlo Acutis” community center, just a short walk from Campo Santo Stefano, from October 2026 through April–May of next year: In-Home Psychological Counseling for the first 5 users over the age of 65 who apply, whether they live in the historic district or on the mainland, social services office to refer individuals to the appropriate services and institutions based on their specific requests (ranging from assistance with the necessary procedures and documents to be prepared to explaining how to navigate the social and health care systems) and, as the third key element of the package, social groups. These are not merely recreational activities, but opportunities designed to keep cognitive and social skills active, restoring the elderly person’s role in the community. “The project is sponsored by the Fondazione di Venezia,” explained President Brondino on Monday at Domus Ciliota, “thanks to a grant we won. We secured funding to launch a pilot project that we hope to continue and expand even further, beyond the city of Venice.” The statistics confirm a profound transformation of the historic center: consider that as of December 31, 2025, the average age of residents exceeded 51 years. In 2024, those over 65 accounted for about one-third of residents, and 55.4% of households consisted of a single person.“It all started with a personal experience: the passing of my mother last June. She suffered from senile dementia, and before we could find her a place in a nursing home, we had to go through a very lengthy process. Every month we spent 4,000 euros on the nursing home fee, plus 1,500 for the caregiver (we went through 10 of them) who had to look after her there. Who can afford such an expense? The issue of caring for our elderly is one that risks literally crushing a flood of families.”
The services made available to the public as part of the “Corte del Forner” project will all be free of charge. “It’s a start; after that, we’ll need to gradually refine everything. The help desk represents the first step in addressing the needs of the community, while in-home psychological counseling is the truly innovative aspect.” The five clients accepted (for appointments: 041.5240711) will each be guaranteed a set number of sessions. Joining Brondino in explaining the project’s purpose and objectives were Maurizia Zanco, a social worker, and Benedetta Toffano, a psychologist. “Isolation,” said Zanco, “can be a precursor to other serious problems, such as depression. The main focus of the initiative will be listening and building a relationship based on trust. We will also try to organize interviews and surveys to address the real needs of older adults and their families.” “When you live in isolated settings,” said Toffano, “you lose your sense of belonging to the community. It is therefore important to forge new connections.” While the socialization groups will be held on select Mondays in the coming months—from October through April—from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the help desk will be available on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In all of this, the parish of Santissimo Salvatore and Santo Stefano, which hosts the various activities presented, is an integral part of the model embodied in the initiative, as a place close to the people, capable of bringing together needs, families, volunteers, and expertise. “This initiative,” commented the parish priest, Father Roberto Donadoni, “arises from a concrete need in our community. Venice is a city increasingly marked by an aging population, loneliness, and the gradual decline in the number of young people and families. That is why initiatives like this remind us that caring for people also means rebuilding relationships. The Christian community wants to do its part by collaborating with those who possess specific skills and by making spaces and a supportive environment available.”
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