CasAurora’s 10th anniversary was celebrated with a conference entitled “Listening is Welcoming. CasAurora as a Support for Patients’ Families,” an opportunity to reflect on the fundamental role this Adventist Institute of Biblical Culture (IACB) hospitality facility has played over the years.

In 2011, the Institute opened “La Colonica,” a vacation home located in the heart of Florence’s university hospital complex, at Viuzzo del Pergolino 2. Created to offer hospitality to the relatives of hospitalized patients, the facility has distinguished itself for its warm welcome and the comfort offered to guests. The success of this initiative led to the creation of CasAurora, which expanded the service to even better meet the needs of those experiencing difficult times away from home.

Funded thanks to the support of the Inter-European Division of the Adventist Church (EUD), the Adventist Diaconia through ADRA Italia, and the 8xmille allocated to the Adventist Church, CasAurora has become a point of reference for many families.

The conference program

The event, introduced by the Institute’s administrator, Gioele Murittu, saw the participation of experts and key figures in the medical and social landscape:

• Ester Murro, manager of CasAurora and “La Colonica,” explained the values ​​that guide the facility.
• Alberto Zanobini, Head of Investments for Inclusion and Accessibility for the Tuscany Region, gave a speech entitled “Being There, When Helping Means Being Present,” emphasizing the importance of empathetic and concrete assistance.
• Fabio Parenti, AIL treasurer, discussed “The importance of networking” to improve access to services.
• Flavio Facchini, a specialist in reconstructive plastic surgery at the Meyer Children’s Hospital, presented a talk on “Pediatric Plastic Surgery: On the Side of Children,” offering a look at the most delicate and complex treatments.
• Deborah Giambarresi, a psychotherapist at CasAurora, concluded with “Cure begins with listening,” a contribution on the importance of psychological support for family members.

The closing remarks were delivered by Davide Romano, director of the Adventist University Institute, who emphasized the value of CasAurora as an integral part of the IACB’s mission.

At the end of the event, Nicola Paulesu, Councilor for Welfare, Reception, Integration, and Housing, offered his greetings, thanking the Institute for its work over the past ten years and reiterating the importance of collaborations like this in promoting an inclusive and humane reception model.

A message of hope and solidarity

CasAurora represents a concrete example of how hospitality can transform into an act of care for those facing difficult situations. This conference reaffirmed the importance of facilities like this, capable of combining professionalism, empathy, and faith in a service dedicated to others.

Celebrating 10 years of activity is not just a time to take stock, but also a stimulus to look to the future, to continue networking and effectively respond to families’ needs.