FONDAZIONE MILAN AND FONDAZIONE AEM REGENERATE A SPORTS FIELD AT THE GATES OF MILAN | OneFootball

Fondazione Milan and Fondazione AEM have joined forces to regenerate the sports field of Associazione Kayros in Vimodrone, near Milan, for its approximately 50 young guests.

In 2023, over 21,000 minors and young adults in Italy were under the care of Social Service Offices for minors. Founded in 2000, Kayros provides shelter and support to young people involved in legal measures and individuals from challenging backgrounds, creating opportunities for social redemption through educational, school, and employment support activities, as well as a variety of workshops ranging from music to cooking, sports, and training to obtain a driver's license.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony of the renovated facility was held today at the Kayros headquarters, attended by the General Secretary of Fondazione Milan, Rocco Giorgianni; the General Secretary of Fondazione AEM, Laura Colombo; the founder of Associazione Kayros, Don Claudio Burgio; and the young guests of the Milanese organization, who immediately inaugurated the field with a series of penalty kicks. AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek also took part in the event.

"I am happy to have had the opportunity to visit the Kayros headquarters, meet the young people who benefit from the association's work, representing a Club and a great social institution like Milan, which has always been attentive to its community," said the English footballer. "Sport is about sharing unique moments as well as strong emotions, rules, cultures, values, and initiatives that can contribute concretely to a positive change in society as a whole."

The initiative is part Fondazione Milan's Assist – Mission Playground program, which, since the 2020/21 season, has already led to the redevelopment of six other sports facilities in the Milan area, providing thousands of young people with a safe, structured, and positive environment where they can learn values such as respect, inclusion, fairness, and collaboration. Social integration can also be facilitated by the freedom to move independently within one’s territory and by feeling part of a community, a "team". For this reason, Fondazione AEM stands alongside Kayros with two other important projects. Firstly, by providing assistance to 50 young people in obtaining their driver's license, which is also useful for job searching, with contributions for both the theoretical and practical exams. Secondly, by supporting the young members of "AC Kayros" in their participation in the CSI OPEN 7-a-side championship and the CSI TOP JUNIOR 11-a-side championship.

Rocco Giorgianni, General Secretary of Fondazione Milan, stated: "For over twenty years, we have promoted sports as a driving force for positive change, capable of making a tangible impact on the lives of our beneficiaries and addressing issues such as educational poverty, school dropout rates, and social exclusion, as well as contributing to building a better future. We are pleased to contribute to the renovation of this sports field, which will also host activities promoted as part of our Sport for Change program, which we have been running here at Kayros since the 2020/21 sports season. The program aims to offer all young people the opportunity to develop their talents, regardless of their social background."

Alberto Martinelli, President of Fondazione AEM, commented: "In addition to being committed to protecting and enhancing its historical heritage, Fondazione AEM has always been attentive to social integration and education issues. For this reason, we decided to support the restoration project of the synthetic field at the Kayros community area in Vimodrone, joining forces with Fondazione Milan to enhance the support provided. Returning to the community a space that can contribute to independent and responsible social reintegration, where quality relationships can be developed and strengthened through the inclusive and 'formative' experience of sports, is an important step in building a positive and inclusive environment."

Don Claudio Burgio, founder of Associazione Kayros, added: "Sports, along with other educational activities such as music and theatre, bring out the best in young people. Therefore, offering well-maintained and organised spaces, along with competent people who help them engage in activities, can assist our young people in their growth. Small goals like being punctual, keeping things clean and tidy, using the right shoes to avoid damaging the field, learning to interact and collaborate with peers, and respecting the rules on the field are both small and big educational objectives for our youngsters who have lived a disordered life. What they start experiencing on the field, they will soon wish to carry with them off the field as well! Many thanks to Fondazione AEM and Fondazione Milan for believing in our educational approach and supporting us for years. Thanks to them, we can better guide our young people, helping them develop their passions and talents!"