To do and to be

Choosing to volunteer isn't simply about doing something for others or finding a way to compensate for loneliness and a lack of meaning. It's about learning to become fully human, changing our way of thinking and acting, and embracing a lifestyle that can empower us to fulfill ourselves through self-giving. Our encounters with so many volunteering experiences and our own history have shown us that the primary need of every man and woman is—in its most intimate essence—self-fulfillment through self-giving.

As Dom Luciano Mendes de Almeida said: "True happiness is making others happy." Happiness, understood as full self-fulfillment, unfolds within us as we learn not to oppose doing and being, but to seek an inner balance between who we are and what we give—a balance we are called to wisely rebuild each day. Volunteering is a crucial opportunity for our lives because it allows us to know ourselves, becoming aware of our potential and our limitations. It continually invites us to reflect on the nature of our action. Sometimes, more than what we do, how we do it is crucial.
The poor lack much, but not sensitivity. They know how to distinguish between a formal gesture and an authentic fruit of self-giving. From this connection, we can build something based on mutual respect and trust.
We often say that people need a home, food, medicine, and education, but that's not enough. They need to love and be loved. They need to discover the meaning of life. This is the soul of volunteering.

With their dedication, volunteers like Paolo, Luciana, Imelda, and Gianfelice represent the backbone of Sermig's services. Without them, our arsenals would close in a matter of days. It's worth knowing their stories and their motivations.
 

Rosanna Tabasso
Focus
NP August/September 2025

LUCIANA

"I come from a small town in the province of Turin, and after a lifetime as a pediatric nurse, today I am a full-time grandmother. I've known Sermig for thirty years: I started by attending the Tuesday prayer meetings and, a few years later, I began dedicating myself to the women's shelter, which hosts single women or women with their children. My shift begins on Saturday afternoon and ends on Sunday morning; it's a choice my husband has always shared and supported.
This experience has taught me the profound value of listening, not only to others, but also to myself, without judging and reflecting before speaking. It's incredible how much I receive in return for what I offer.
There's an episode that will always be dear to my heart: a child with a difficult past, a guest, every time he sees me, runs to me, hugs me, caresses me, and never goes to sleep without stopping by to say hello first. This is a treasure I carry with me and that I share with my family, with my grandchildren. Knowing so many complex situations helps me make them understand how fortunate they are to have been born in a free country, where eating, studying, and receiving healthcare are not a given.
Sometimes, the burden of the difficulties I encounter is so great that I risk losing faith in the meaning of my service. In those moments, before starting my shift, I stop for a moment in church to pray, to find the calm and strength to listen.
The important thing, I've realized, is to be there. To be close to people, even in silence.
Feeling their closeness melts away all hardship. How many times have my meetings with the guests ended with a hug. And hugs communicate more than a thousand words. They say: "Thank you for being here, for being here." And I say: "Thank you for being here." We are links in the same chain, a large family where there are no firsts and lasts.

PAOLO
"My adventure as a volunteer at Sermig began in 1998. At the time, I was a violinist in the RAI Symphony Orchestra. One day, our historic auditorium had to close for renovations, and the orchestra found itself looking for a new rehearsal space. That's how we ended up at the Arsenale della Pace, which offered us the auditorium, now transformed into the church of Maria Madre dei Giovani.
For eight years, the Arsenale was the place where our music took shape during rehearsals, before we performed at the Lingotto every weekend.
That experience allowed me to get to know the wonderful Sermig up close. Even after we returned to the Via Rossini headquarters in 2006, the bond has not only continued, but has actually expanded... significantly.
My service today consists of sharing my experience as a musician with the students of the Sound Laboratory and the Orchestra and Choir of the Arsenale della Pace.
It all began when the director, Mauro Tabasso, asked me to mentor a young student, who over time became the first violin of our orchestra. I accompanied him in his training, supporting him during exams and competitions. I currently collaborate with the students of the Sound Laboratory: we play during celebrations, concerts, and events, and we meet every week to study and rehearse as a section. Together with my wife Luciana, also a violin teacher, we prepare the string section. Other teachers take care of the wind instruments, and when the director arrives, the orchestra is ready.
Seeing teachers and students, young and old, playing together is an immense joy. I often feel that what these young people give me is much greater than what I can offer them.

IMELDA AND GIANFELICE

"I have been attending Sermig for forty years.
I started with a few projects and with the men's dormitory. Today I'm here with my wife, Imelda, who has been a volunteer at the store for six years and also helps out at Superga. Together, we've had extraordinary experiences, such as the 2021 Giro d'Italia, when Sermig was the event's social partner. It was a unique adventure, with around 200 training sessions throughout Italy.
The word "giving back" has always guided my actions and, consequently, has become a value for our entire family. It's our way of responding to the unexpected welcome we've received. This principle has transformed the way we relate to others, from colleagues in the office to our decision to take on new responsibilities, making our skills available and often giving up the comfort of the couch. Despite my shyness, engaging with new people and experiences has deeply enriched me. I dared to involve friends and acquaintances, asking for help with the Arsenale projects.
When the war broke out in Ukraine, a dear friend of mine made his property available to Sermig to house a family fleeing the conflict. This gesture of giving back not only made him feel good, but it opened our eyes to a dramatic reality here in Turin: thousands of people are looking for a home, while an estimated 80,000 homes are vacant in the city.
This realization has shaken us, making us reflect on how fortunate we were to be born "on the right side of the world," with a job and a secure home. We've long wondered how we could give back some of this goodness. Using our professional skills, we've tried to understand the needs of property owners.
Today, together with Sermig, we're taking on a new challenge: providing housing for reliable families who can afford rent but lack the guarantees required by the market, sometimes simply because of their skin color.
Together, we're writing a new chapter in the history of the Arsenale. The idea is simple: to bring together those who own vacant apartments with those who need a home, offering support in negotiations, mentoring for tenants, and guarantees for owners. From this project, the Auses Foundation was born, of which Sermig is a member, with the aim of restoring dignity to many people, making them finally feel welcomed and integrated."