L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2026 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 F o r t h o s e w h o l i v e f a r f r o m t h e i r homeland, commu- nity is more than a g r o u p o f p e o p l e who share the same nationali- ty. It provides emotional, cul- tural, and social support, a s e n s e o f b e l o n g i n g t h a t remains important even today, when frequent, often low-cost flights make traveling home easier and smartphones keep us constantly connected with family and friends. Technology shortened distances and eased the pain of separation and homesickness that always accompanied migration. Yet, the need for community remains strong. Indeed, in today's increasingly fragmented world, where isolation and alienation may be greater than ever, it remains essential. Being integrated into the workforce of a new country does not automatically mean feeling part of its society. This is where the Italian community abroad becomes particularly valuable. It is not about recreating Little Italy, retreating into cultural enclaves, or refusing to assimilate. It is about remaining connected to one's language, food, traditions, and even those unspoken gestures and habits that Italians instinctively understand. The community offers a place to unwind, where cultural references and subtle jokes need no Italians abroad: keeping a precious sense of community alive From the Editor explanation because everyone shares a familiar background. Those who have never left their homeland often fail to realize how reassuring it can be to live surrounded by a familiar culture. For those who emigrate, however, that cul- ture becomes a conscious choice, something to seek out, pre- serve, and rebuild every day. When millions of Italians crossed the Atlantic during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, they encountered com- munities often hostile to newcomers. Language barriers and prejudice made earning a living difficult, and immigrants quickly understood that their best chance lay in supporting one another. This gave rise to mutual aid societies, regional clubs, and religious associations, which provided financial assistance and medical care, but also something equally valuable: psychological reassurance. They created spaces where Italian workers could recover their dignity, speak their dialects, and celebrate their traditions. From North Beach in San Francisco to the Little Italy neighborhoods of Los Angeles and San Diego, these communities became the first real social safety net for generations of immigrants. Some of those historic organizations still exist today. On our front page, we celebrate the 110th anniversary of Italian Community Services, and we could, of course, also men- tion our own L'Italo Americano. Their longevity demon- strates that they continue to fulfill a genuine need, offering belonging, recognition, and a means of passing shared values from one generation to the next. One of the most valuable roles of Italian communities abroad is precisely their ability to preserve identity across generations. For the children and grandchildren of immi- grants, the community is often their only living connection to their family's origins. Through gatherings, patron saint celebrations, language schools, film festivals, and events marking Italian Heritage Month, which is once again draw- ing to a close, individual memories become a source of col- lective pride. Community allows younger generations to develop an identity in which being Italian does not replace their attachment to the country where they were born, but enriches it. Older generations bring memories and tradi- tions, while younger ones contribute new ideas, ensuring that their shared heritage remains a living source of values, history, and belonging. This exchange is essential, and we must continue to encourage it. For those who experience migration firsthand, community also provides relief from the stress of adapting to another culture, the feeling of being uprooted, the loss of familiar ref- erence points, and the difficulties of starting again. It creates a space where personal struggles can be acknowledged and transformed into shared strengths. Psychologically, this can encourage personal growth and a renewed sense of control over one's life. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by change, individuals recognize their ability to rebuild their lives while preserving their dignity and cultural roots. As the experience of Italian Community Services demon- strates, however, another essential part of belonging is giv- ing back. A community cannot survive on what its members receive alone; it depends on people who participate, con- tribute their time and energy, and offer support as readily as they accept it. Through this exchange, we become part of something larger than our individual experiences. We are a community, and being one is good for us. We are social beings, after all. And in an age increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence, community remains an indispensable source of emotional and social support. We must remember to nurture the relationships that sustain it, because they are what make us so wonderfully human. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2025 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano P.O. 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