The cooperative Il Segno and its educational project: a journey of hope and beauty supported by Teddy

The cooperative “Il Segno”, founded in 1996, has become a point of reference to help and welcome problem teenagers. [The cooperative] manages three educational communities and takes care of children who, following a ruling of the Juvenile Court, have been removed from their families due to dramatic reasons: abuse, violence, forced marriages. The stories those young people bring with themselves are traumatic and require projects and paths aimed at their reintegration within society. Teddy, in line with its corporate identity, chose to support their journey of life rebuilding and hope.

The educational approach of the cooperative is based on two key concepts: rebuilding trust in adults and the importance of beauty. «For many of these teenagers, adults are figures reminding them of pain and betrayal, who abused them instead of protecting them, says the cooperative manager Mafalda Garro. Rebuilding a positive bond with them is a key step for their “rebirth”». However, what makes the difference is not just the educational support. «Beauty is one of the most powerful tools used in our cooperative to convey the message that reality is not just made of sufferance and violence. Living in welcoming homes, going to school trips, exhibitions and on holiday in beautiful places allows children to discover that life can also be an opportunity to grow and discover beauty and pleasure».

The insistence on beauty is not just aesthetic, but it is connected to a deep message: children can learn that reality, despite their own negative experiences, can offer them positive opportunities. With the help of the adults from the community , those children can get over their painful past, acknowledging their own talents and learning how to express them in a constructive way.

However, their journey to be self-sufficient is still long. When they turn 18, the Juvenile Court and social services no longer deal with their cases, but young people are not ready yet to be fully independent. Even though they learned a lot during their recovery path, their family and social context still make them very vulnerable. The community and the educators keep on being their point of reference even when they come of age.

«Within such a context the cooperative “Il Segno” is going to face a new, big challenge: in 2025 we will open two flats dedicated to those who have to leave the community when they turn 18. Those young people, who lack a firm family point of reference, cannot rely on social care services and will need a “guide” who helps them to take life-changing decisions for their future, such as choosing a job or understanding their own dreams». 

And it is through those needs that Teddy meets “Il Segno”. To us contributing to implement those projects corresponds to turn our corporate culture into something real: awareness and responsibility towards the community, above all with reference to young people and people in need. Furthermore, last Christmas, when gifts were distributed to all Teddy colleagues, there was the opportunity to personally support the cooperative and the project “Oltre i 18” (Beyond 18).

The cooperative has the need to furnish and prepare the flats, but the goal is even bigger: accompanying those young people in their first steps as adults, ensuring them continuity in their education and growth path. Beauty, love for life and hope for the future are the main ingredients for the project  that aims at giving every young person the opportunity to bloom, to discover themselves and their way towards independence.  

We wish those young people may be able to dream again every day and look at life as a positive reality, also thanks to our small contribution. We know well how powerful dreams can be, we have our Dream and it is amazing being able to share it with everyone, above all with those who most need it.