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It will welcome the families of children hospitalized in Milanese hospitals. The project was created thanks to Unitalsi, Banca di Credito Cooperativo Milano and the Municipality of Milan

Milan, July 14 2021 – The Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala handed over to Vittore De Carli, president of Unitalsi Lombarda, the building permit for the renovation of the first reception home intended for the families of children hospitalized in Milan's hospitals. The house will be named after Fabrizio Frizzi, the television presenter who died in 2018 at just 60 years old, and historic testimonial of Unitalsi

The meeting was attended by Don Stefano Venturini, parish priest at the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie all'Ortica next to which the building which will be renovated to house the shelter is located, Giuseppe Maino and Giorgio Beretta, respectively president and general director of the Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Milano, which will financially support the redevelopment works of the property.

This is a project born from listening to the needs of the people Unitalsi met during his pilgrimages, with the aim of offering accommodation, economic support and moral support to families who have to face long periods away from home to care for their children in pediatric centers of excellence. 

The renovation involves a building measuring 250 square meters in total distributed over three levels, located next to the Parish Church in via Amadeo 90, on the eastern outskirts of the city. The project involves the construction of 6 micro-accommodations, intended to accommodate up to 15 people, as well as multifunctional rooms for collective use. To adapt the building, significant construction work is expected which involves a preliminary economic investment of approximately 350 thousand euros. An important challenge for Unitalsi Lombarda which celebrates its centenary of foundation in 2021.

«Illness - said the Mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala - is a condition that unfortunately we are all forced to deal with, directly or indirectly. However, when it affects children, the sense of helplessness and the resulting suffering are truly unbearable. Being able to contribute to the care of all sick children who arrive from out of town by giving families a place to stay during their little ones' hospital stay is a duty for Milan: the affection and closeness of mothers, fathers and siblings is fundamental for healing. I thank Unitalsi for carrying forward this important project at Ortica: welcoming and supporting families who are experiencing a difficult period is part of the therapy."

Vigorous support for the new initiative came from the archbishop of Milan, Mario Delpini. Who, speaking in Lourdes - in September 2018, on the occasion of the diocesan pilgrimage - at the presentation of the project had defined "a dream that seems to me inspired by God" this "offer of free hospitality to those families who must accompany their children to Milan need treatment. – then adding – «That Milan is promising in terms of therapies, representing an excellence that attracts, is nice, however, this does not correspond to adequate hospitality. It is moving to know that there are those who have found light in suffering and prayer and it is also moving that this experience can become an element of concrete hospitality. I express my encouragement, approval, and I also want to be in the team that supports the initiative."

«The building – explains Graziella Moschino, vice-president of Unitalsi Lombarda – is not only served by the public transport network, but is located next to a Sanctuary, and this is very important from the perspective of Unitalsi. Our volunteers will be there to welcome families, support them and promote a community style. The start of the works, which will last 3-4 months and will be coordinated by the architect Sara Ugazio of Studio Zenith Architetti Associati of Busto Arsizio, is expected at the beginning of September. The house will be named after Fabrizio Frizzi, who was a great friend and testimonial of Unitalsi."

BCC Milano decided from the beginning to support the opening of the first shelter in Milan, a choice that is part of the Bank's broader desire to be concretely present and close to the local community and in particular to people in difficulty.

«For some years the most important social projects have been made possible by the direct contribution of our Members, comments President Giuseppe Maino, who in their thousands give up the traditional Christmas gift offered by the Bank to donate the financial compensation to third sector organizations involved in projects of great social value. Today is a great day for BCC Milano, together with Unitalsi Lombarda we can finally start a project that will provide concrete help to many families and their children."

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