L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano 2 9,480 com- m u n i t y m e m b e r s s e r v e d . 9,888 social activities. 3,840 volunteers' hours. And counting. These are just a few of the num- bers that best represent the Italian Community Service, the organization based in the Bay Area and serving the Italian-American Com- munity since 1916. In its 100 year history, ICS has been providing community members with information and contacts pertaining to varied programs that apply to Italian relocating to the United States. These resour- ces might include informa- tion about schools, general regulations about health and vehicle insurance, the requirements for citizenship and the demographics of geographic areas. While the original focus of this organi- zation was to help Italian immigrants and their fami- lies so they could adjust to changes in language, cultu- r e , h e a l t h a n d e c o n o m i c c o n d i t i o n s , t h e l a s t f e w months have represented b o t h a c h a l l e n g e a n d a n opportunity. As mentioned by Presi- dent Donald G. Parachi- ni and highlighted by Exe- cutive Director Pietro B o n a n n o , i n s t e a d o f hosting weekly socializing activities, presentations, concerts, cultural events and catered meals, ICS had t o c h a n g e i t s m a i n f o c a l p o i n t , a n d s t a r t e d w i t h telephonic wellness checks to hundreds of community m e m b e r s , h e l p i n g w i t h errands, providing updated information to elders, and supporting everyone who needed company during this time of physical isolation. The ICS has always put its energy into the so-called " H o m e V i s i t s , " t h r o u g h w h i c h t h e A g e n c y S t a f f assesses the home situation of San Francisco commu- nity members to determine specific needs and appro- priate services. In addition to this, the agency also inve- sts in the future, by promo- ting the Italian language and culture through grants t h a t m a y b e a v a i l a b l e t o schools offering Italian lan- g u a g e a n d c u l t u r e p r o - grams. W e t a l k e d t o P i e t r o Bonanno to cover another crucial aspect of our "Resi- lience, teamwork, creativity" series: the Community. We started a few weeks ago talking about culture and food and we are now aiming to understand why keeping the community together is essential and vital, especial- ly at a time when sheltering- in-place keeps us apart. Pietro, can you tell us a bit about the ICS you'- ve been leading for the last few years? ICS is the oldest Italian non-profit in North Ameri- ca. Founded in 1916, our "agency" started by helping Italians find a new way of living in the Bay Area. The services ranged from inte- gration services to finding employment and housing as well as providing financial assistance when necessary. I b e c a m e I C S E x e c u t i v e Director in 2019 with the ultimate goal of bringing innovation to the organiza- tion and expanding the ser- vices we offer. What is the organiza- tion's mission and how it has become extremely relevant lately? The mission is "Preser- ving Our Culture, Serving Our Community." Covid has become the perfect opportu- nity to show our relevance within the Italian-American community. In just a few weeks, we had to shut down "Club Fugazi," where we usually host events, and we brought our services direc- tly to the home of our mem- bers. We began with some wellness checks, running errands (pharmacy, gro- c e r y ) , a n d s e n d i n g c a r e packages. Since March, we have delivered more than 2,000 care packages inclu- ding fresh produce from a c o o p i n S o n o m a , I t a l i a n goodies, recipes from Viola SERENA PERFETTO A talk with Pietro Bonanno, Executive Director of the Italian Community Services (ICS) Pietro Bonanno, the executive director at ICS Continued to page 25 Selling Homes Throughout The Bay Area Adele Della Santina "The Right Realtor makes all the di昀erence." 650.400.4747 Adele.DellaSantina@compass.com www.AdeleDS.com DRE# 00911740 Expert in preparation, promotion, and negotiation! SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN COMMUNITY

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