In 2020, the Father Atanasio Gonelli Foundation partnered with Rete Italia for a radio marathon which raised over $100,000 for young Italians in crisis.
Months later, with the second major lockdown in full swing, New South Wales is suffering.
Businesses have closed, employees have been laid off and many young people cannot access the financial support they require.
The hospitality sector, which employs many young Italians, has been hit the hardest by the mandated closures.
These migrants, who have come to Australia to live and work abroad, do not have a steady visa and are suffering.
For this reason, the Father Atanasio Gonelli Foundation has decided to step in once more.
A letter signed by the president of the foundation, Felice Montrone, announced that the foundation would be supporting young Italians in 2021.
“The prolonged COVID-19 lockdown in New South Wales has shut down the main sources of employment for young Italians with temporary visas in Sydney,” Montrone wrote.
“This has left them without work, without income and without family support.
“Our charity’s initial donation of $10,000 will be managed by the Giovani Italiani Australiani (GIA) Network.
“The crisis assistance program will help this vulnerable group of Italians by providing shopping vouchers and other emergency financial support, but we need your help to do more.”
The new fundraising campaign has been launched on the foundation’s website and on its social channels.
The GIA Network, which is responsible for managing the emergency fund, has also promoted the fundraising campaign on all its platforms.
