In a large city like Turin, it is often complicated for an asylum seeker or refugee to get in touch with individualized guidance and listening services. Quite often, in fact, the few existing services are overwhelmed by the need to “dispose” of a large number of requests, in part due to the insufficiency or fragmentation of institutional services, which the third sector tries to make up for. It is very easy for these people, who do not know the area or know it only partially, to become numbers even in services that attempt to listen to the unique experience of individuals.
Mosaico is present in the Turin area with a central information and cultural mediation point for asylum seekers and refugees at the Casa del Quartiere in San Salvario and with a detached and more fluid proposal at the Porta Nuova Station, a place of stop, start and arrival for so many people.
The information point is open twice a week, on Monday afternoons and Fridays by appointment, and over time about 30 workers have been involved in the counter activities among trainees, volunteers and project coordinators and operates with aholistic approach devoted toempowering people who receive support in the legal sphere (thanks also to the collaboration with ASGI), of finding work and housing solutions.
Goals
This activity, which currently relies solely on the work of a few Mosaico volunteers, aims to create a space for listening and guidance, careful to ensure that everyone has their own time and keeping in mind the specificity of each individual path.
Method
With no glass or desks dividing beneficiaries and mediators, the desk ensures individualized listening and the fruition of very important information, always accompanied by a more general explanation that gives awareness with respect to one’s choices and possibilities.
Services
The information that MOSAICO offers is about accessing the refugee status recognition pathway: from the asylum application, to the Territorial Commission’s examination, to a possible appeal in case of a first negative decision.
Support
It is also possible to have support and guidance with respect to any bureaucratic path an asylum seeker or refugee needs to take. These include renewing an international protection permit, applying for residency, family reunification, or registration with the SSN.
Education
It is also possible to inquire about steps to enroll in school, university or training courses. The network made up of Mosaico, the City of Turin’s Foreigners Office, the Franz Fanon Association and UniTo helps with job search, through CV compilation and orientation to the world of work.
Orientation
Information can also be obtained about various services in the area, particularly access to medical, psychological and social services, and legal services are also offered with the help of a lawyer specializing in immigration practices.
Advocacy
Mosaico association with its information and accompaniment activities for refugees has always had the support of a lawyer specialized in forced migration (member of ASGI) and the support of UNHCR in the figure of an integration expert over time.
Counter
Mosaico’s information desk represents a novel reality in the Turin scene also thanks to the characteristics given by being a place for sharing with other people who have previously experienced difficult situations due to their migration status and for the personalized services that are offered.