In Milan, Fondazione Progetto Arca is changing lives by providing a safe space for migrant women, children, and families escaping violence, discrimination, and poverty. Established in 1994 to help marginalized communities, the organization expanded in 2011 to support migrants and refugees, offering them safety, dignity, and a new beginning.
One of the women who found sanctuary at Progetto Arca is Maryam from Guinea. Her journey took her across Africa—through Mali, Algeria, and Tunisia—before she finally crossed the Mediterranean to Italy in 2024. After arriving on the island of Lampedusa, she was transferred to Milan within 48 hours and found a new home at one of Progetto Arca’s community centers.
These centers are part of Italy’s Centri d’Accoglienza Straordinaria (CAS) system, designed to shelter asylum seekers during their legal process. The Milan center, managed by Silvia Scotti, currently hosts over 200 people, including more than 80 children. Staffed around the clock, it offers food, medical care, legal assistance, and psychological support to help residents rebuild their lives.
Scotti explains that many women arriving at the center are deeply traumatized by their journeys. “Most have faced violence or exploitation,” she says. “We start by earning their trust and offering psychological support so they can begin to heal.” Some women fled forced marriages, sexual abuse, or female genital mutilation, while others escaped war, debt, or persecution in countries such as Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Afghanistan.
At the heart of Progetto Arca’s work is compassion and empowerment. Residents receive medical care, legal guidance for their asylum applications, and help enrolling their children in school. They also join activities such as baking, art, and language classes that promote emotional healing and social integration. For women like Maryam, these programs are more than just services—they represent a path toward independence and hope.
“I feel good here,” Maryam says softly, smiling at her baby boy. “The project helped me with everything—from my documents to maternity care. I’m now studying to work in logistics. My dream is to live a peaceful life here.”
Costantina Regazzo, the foundation’s spokesperson and Director of Services, says Progetto Arca places individuals at the center of its mission. “We don’t just give shelter—we build community,” she explains. The foundation currently supports around 900 people across different programs, offering education, training, and self-care services that help residents feel human and valued again.
Regazzo believes that integration is essential for Italy’s future. “Migration has always been part of human history,” she says. “Instead of fighting it, we should work together to make migrants a resource for society.”
For thousands of migrant women and families, Progetto Arca is not just a shelter—it’s a place where dignity is restored, and hope begins again.