Belo Horizonte (Brazil). On 7 February 2025,134 members of the teams of the 14 Social Works of Mother Mazzarello Province (BMM) participated in an online training meeting on “Atypical Families”.
The event was attended by the psychologist Alysson Ramos, who has a Master’s Degree in education and teaching from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Belo Horizonte and specializes in strategic management of people, in addition to having behind him various training courses in the health sector.
The training is part of a wider initiative, which marks the beginning of the activities of the Integrated Training Plan for Social Works. This plan is the result of a joint effort that brings together proposals from the provincial areas of Social Action, Administration, Communication, and Pastoral Care, as well as integrating training and meetings promoted by the Salesian Network Brazil. This demonstrates a joint commitment to the professional development of teams.
The event was opened by Sister Dircione da Glória Amorim, Provincial Coordinator for Social Action, who welcomed the participants. In her intervention, she deepened the theme of Strenna 2025, “Anchored to hope, pilgrims with young people”, putting it in relation with the Jubilee of 2025. The Coordinator stressed that hope must be cultivated through the constant presence of God in daily activities, highlighting the fundamental role of social works in being a beacon of hope for children, adolescents, and young people at the service.
Subsequently, the psychologist Alysson Ramos reflected on personal and professional development in the context of working with atypical families. She stressed that true professional growth requires not just technical knowledge, but a genuine commitment to tackling the challenges. According to the presenter, it is essential to remain open to dialogue and continuous learning, using shared experiences as a source of knowledge.
“The essence of education, whatever it may be, is diversity itself. Recognizing the dynamic potential of each individual and valuing the multiplicity of paths to successful learning, autonomy and social relationships,” she explained during the presentation, underlining the importance of developing strategies aimed at meeting the particular needs of each family, while respecting their unique characteristics and challenges.
The training offered significant times of interaction between the participants, who were able to share practical experiences about the local mission. This exchange of experiences enriched the meeting, making it a synodal experience in which everyone could learn from the realities and challenges faced by each Social Work. The teams recognized that the theme strengthens the capacity of Social Works to be real interlocutors of assisted families, contributing to the creation of even more welcoming environments, renewing the commitment for a more human and inclusive care, in line with Salesian values and the current needs of families.
This successful training session is the first of the year, in which other meetings are planned by the Integrated Training Plan, as a demonstration of the constant commitment of the BMM Province in qualifying its teams and aiming for excellence in the work in favor of the Salesian Mission.
