Successo! Lions-Quest Expands in Italy
Parents in Italy who attended Lions-Quest informational meetings at their children's schools left feeling reassured their children were in good hands. "The situations described by the teacher are precisely those I face with my son," a parent told a local newspaper. Another parent added, "Now I have more confidence in the decisions I have to make for my own daughter."
Lions-Quest, a life skills program for schoolchildren, has been successfully expanded in Italy. More than 3,400 teachers have been trained in less than three years. Tens of thousands of youths in Italy have learned how to set goals, communicate more effectively, accept responsibility and resist pressure to use illegal substances.
LCIF gave a US$200,000 grant to MD-108 in 2000 to expand Lions-Quest in Italy. Lions-Quest was introduced in Italy in 1993 when LCIF awarded MD-108 a US$49,740 grant.
Both grants came when Lions were only a partner with Quest International in serving youth. But in September 2002 LCIF purchased Lions-Quest. LCIF ownership is boosting the visibility, accessibility and popularity of the program among Lions.
The ownership of the program is new, but Lions have supported Lion-Quest since 1984 and have helped extend its reach. The program is currently active in 33 countries and has reached more than 6 million youths.
Lions-Quest's mission is to guide youths faced with the challenges and temptations of modern life. In Italy, as elsewhere, youths grow up in a fast-paced, confusing world. "Today's society is built for adults and it's difficult for young people to find the equilibrium they need to withstand negative influences," said Ettore Cantu, president of the Stradella-Broni Host Lions Club. "Teen-agers today are more fragile and lost even if they pretend to have a certain swagger."
Lions in Italy coordinated more than 75 Lions-Quest workshops for teachers. Each workshop trained an average of 30 teachers.
Schools in rural and low-income communities were the primary beneficiaries of Lions-Quest. The expansion of the life-skills program went smoothly. The implementation was "proof of the Lions' service abilities," said Carla Rastellino, the district's representative for the program.
Districts interested in requesting a Lions-Quest grant should contact the LCIF grants department at 630-571-5466, ext. 580 or 292 or e-mail mbularzi@lionsclubs.org.
