The homeless and their animal companions”: hospitality in Milan with Fondazione Progetto Arca

Objectives and activities carried out, in summary

Thanks to the generous donation from Fondazione Guido Venosta, Progetto Arca was able to launch an important hospitality project dedicated to homeless individuals with dogs. The donation enabled the purchase of a farmhouse of approximately 500 square meters in the Baggio district of Milan. The project is named CASCINA VITA NOVA both as a tribute to the Dante celebrations of 2020 and to emphasize that this new reception center can serve as a turning point toward a better future for its guests.

Cascina Vita Nova comprises:

• 7 apartments capable of accommodating 9 people with their dog,
• a gym,
• a dog gym,
• a veterinary clinic,
• a communal area for restoring social interactions and relational skills,
• a Green Park Dog area.

Moreover, each guest is supported by a team of professionals who help them regain their psycho-physical well-being, social skills, and abilities that may have diminished after spending a long period on the streets. The objective is to guide each person toward achieving social, economic, and housing autonomy.

There are also plans for further expansion of the facility to include a soup kitchen for the homeless, a social market for economically disadvantaged individuals, and a reception center for families in severe housing distress and/or homelessness.