2024 ended with another anniversary for Adventist institutions in Italy. On December 9, CasAurora celebrated its first ten years of activity with a conference entitled “Listening is welcoming. CasAurora: support for the families of patients”. It was an opportunity to reflect on the fundamental role that this accommodation facility—established by the Adventist Institute of Biblical Culture (IACB) of Florence—has played over the years.
Historical notes
In 2011, the Institute opened the doors of the “La Colonica” building, a holiday home located in the heart of the university hospital zone in Florence, on the street Via Ellen Gould White. Created to offer hospitality to the relatives of hospitalized patients, “La Colonica” has stood out for its warm welcome and the comfort offered to guests. The success of this initiative led to the creation of CasAurora, in 2014, which expanded the service to better meet the needs of those experiencing difficult times far from home, offering controlled prices.
The initiative was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Inter-European Division (EUD), the Adventist Diaconia through ADRA Italia, and the 8xmille (religious tax) destined for the Adventist Church. CasAurora has become a point of reference for many families.
Event program
The anniversary conference, introduced by the administrator of the IACB, Gioele Murittu, was attended by experts and key figures in the medical and social landscape. These key guests included Deborah Giombarresi, psychotherapist for CasAurora, who underlined the importance of psychological support for family members. A key guest himself, Nicola Paulesu, councilor of the Municipality of Florence—with responsibilities centered on welfare, reception, and integration—brought his greetings from the mayor. In his speech, he thanked the Institute for the work carried out in these ten years and reiterated the importance of collaborations like this to promote an inclusive and humane model of reception.
Message of hope and solidarity
CasAurora represents a concrete example of how reception can be transformed into an act of care towards those facing difficult situations. This conference reiterated the importance of structures like this, capable of combining professionalism, empathy, and faith in a service dedicated to others.
The celebration of ten years of activity is not only a moment of assessment, but also a stimulus to look to the future, to continue networking and responding effectively to the needs of families.
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