BOYS' AND GIRLS' TOWNS OF ITALY

GIVING YOUTH A CHANCE IN LIFE SINCE 1945
Boys' and Girls' Towns of Italy is composed of two communities of self-governed young people. Both La Citta dei Ragazzi (Rome) and La Repubblica dei Ragazzi (Civitavecchia) were founded by Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing in the 1940s. The youth of the Towns have come from over 20 different countries escaping violence, poverty and injustice. The Towns' success lies in the innovative model of self-government where the children take responsibility for running their own communities.
 
Our founder’s human development philosophy was this: relate to the young people as citizens, empower them to take responsibility for their community, and they will grow into caring adults, building stable lives and families.
 
The young people attend local schools, study in a European Union recognized vocational training program and are exposed to a variety of cultural and educational experiences. Boys’ and Girls’ Towns of Italy has given a chance in life to over 30,000 girls and boys.

SELF-GOVERNMENT

TOWNS RUN BY CHILDREN
The Towns are fully functioning communities with their own currency, constitutions, schools, vocational training facilities and recreational centers. The boys and girls refer to one another as citizens and vote in bi-monthly elections for a council of peers who are responsible for resolving community issues.
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Through self-government, the citizens experience themselves as respected and valued participants in their community. The demand of running their own Town allows the young people to gain the skills and confidence needed to become self-sufficient contributors to the broader society.

THE MIGRANT YOUTH AND REFUGEE CRISIS

BOYS AND GIRLS HAVE COME TO OUR TOWNS IN ITALY FROM OVER 20 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
Children are often the worst victims of the increasing economic and political instability throughout the world, having few means to express their needs or fend for themselves. Hostile governments, civil unrest, famine, human trafficking and extreme poverty have contributed to the swift rise of the refugee and migrant population.
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At our Towns in Italy today, A Chance In Life addresses the needs of unaccompanied minors by providing them with the opportunity to live in a democratic community of self-governed youth. In this environment, at-risk youth receive the emotional and social support needed to develop as citizens capable of giving back to the world.


​The History of Boys' and Girls' Towns of Italy
A Chance In Life  |  250 East 63rd Street, Suite 204, New York, NY 10065  |  ​© 2016 A Chance In Life  | We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit formerly known as ​Boys' Towns of Italy, Inc.