In September 2023, CeSI, in collaboration with the Human Resources Function of the Università Cattolica, developed the first proposal dedicated to the technical-administrative staff of the University, creating a team building day in collaboration with Caritas Cremonese. The initiative was aimed to promote the values of relationships and the common good and designed to encourage reflection on the themes of giving and fragility. 

Forty employees from all branches of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Milan, Piacenza-Cremona, Brescia and Rome) actively participated in a day of training at Caritas Cremonese. 

The start of the day saw the participants gather at the new Cremonese campus of the Università Cattolica for the presentation of planned activities. Afterwards, they were divided into four groups and transferred to the different sites of Caritas Cremonese to carry out a variety of engaging activities. 

• CASA ACCOGLIENZA - Participants had the opportunity to explore the reality of the Casa dell'Accoglienza through a detailed presentation. During the day, they devoted themselves intensively to the implementation of data collection systems, by using Excel tables in order to record crucial information about the hosted migrants, and thus contributing effectively to the support of the center. They also dedicated themselves to serving the charity kitchens, managing the preparation and tidying up of the mess hall as well as taking care of meal distribution and providing companionship to the homeless users. After the shared lunch, participants joined the CPA guests for a tour of Cathedral Square and its surroundings. 
• CASA NOSTRA SIGNORA - The Group spent the morning at Casa Nostra Signora, a shelter dedicated to women guests. The day began with a presentation of the center with an introduction to the project. The participants were divided into four subgroups, each with a specific assignment: the first subgroup participated in the counseling group for the women guests; the second in the Italian language literacy course for foreigners; the third accompanied the elderly non-self-sufficient women on an outing around the city center, while the fourth was responsible for preparing a snack for the children. Afterwards, they participated in talks between the women guests and the educators, in the preparation of posters on the sociopolitical situation in the guests' home countries, and in the snack moment with the children guests. 
• FATTORIA DELLA CARITÀ - The Group had a unique experience at the Charity Farm, where participants experienced an exploratory photographic treasure hunt around the farm, at the end of which they were divided into two subgroups to share and discuss the captured photos. The day proceeded with a shared lunch with the center's youth, followed by a time of sharing on the theme of travel. Finally, a working group explored the values and skills of unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers, inspired by the University of Zurich's "Core" project. 
• ISLA DE BURRO - The Group spent the day at Isla de Burro, involving themselves in animal interaction activities and reflections on the value of nature and the importance of communication. Participants were introduced to the structure and participated in various activities, including a "compassionate" lunch with dishes made from raw materials that did not cause suffering to the animals. In the afternoon, activities continued, providing further opportunities for interaction and reflection on the importance of nature and communication. 
   

At the end of the experiences, in the presence of the Director General of the University, Dr. Paolo Nusiner, and the Director of Human Resources, Dr. Marzia Benelli, each group had the opportunity to share their experiences in a moment of restitution led by Askesis trainers, also involving the Caritas referents of the different structures. 

"Although it was a big organizational commitment for the facilities and operators involved, this initiative was an important development for our reality. It is nice that the world of work can approach the theme of solidarity, and we really thank the Università Cattolica for having identified our Caritas as a place to gain experience on the themes of gift and fragility also to consolidate and recover professional motivation. With a focus that we strongly wanted and shared, of not being invasive in the different structures and towards the people encountered: as guests we were welcomed. I would like to emphasize another very beautiful thing that this day testifies to: it is possible to find sharing even in diversity, of histories, studies, professions and lives. Thanks to the Caritas workers who put themselves on the line to facilitate this meaningful experience of "togetherness."" 

-don Pierluigi Codazzi, director of Caritas Cremonese