Saverio, The good Knight

illustrations by di Mary Fanelli, translation by Franca de Bellis

The Onlus Saverio de Bellis Foundation bears the name of the Knight of the Italian Order of Merit for Labour Saverio de Bellis, who in June 1906 conceived, built and donated to the people of his beloved Castellana a grandiose building complex consisting of an orphanage, a kindergarten and a hospital. The Foundation is today made up of the Educational centre for young people, which provides residential accommodation for young people, aged between 4 and 18, who have been removed from their family unit; the Socio-educational day centre for young people, which provides school support activities and creative workshops; the Centre for pregnant women and mothers with children, which provides residential accommodation for abandoned mothers with children in serious social difficulty; the Group apartment for young people, which accommodates males and females aged between 16 and 25, who are still to complete their rehabilitation program. As of March 2024, between babies, young people and mothers there are 50 guests and 34 staff. The Management Board is made up as follows: President Daniela de Bellis, Vice President Giovanni Bianco, Board Members Rosa de Bellis, Franca de Bellis and Piergianni Gemmati.