The Réconfort pour les ex-prisonniers (Comfort for former prisoners) project, carried out with the support of the association VO.RE.CO. (Volunteers of Regina Coeli – Rome’s jail) in Rome, provided crucial daily support to former prisoners and other marginalised individuals living in poverty, isolation, and instability. Many of the beneficiaries face deep social exclusion after their release from prison, with limited access to basic needs, including food, housing, and emotional support.
The project aimed to restore dignity, stability, and a sense of belonging through the provision of meals and community interaction. The activities of the project included the organisation of volunteer schedules, the stocking of wholesale food purchases (food packaging), maintaining regular contact with food donors, and the daily supply of breakfast and dinner to beneficiaries. All meals were distributed in the street, in the form of individual packed lunches, by VO.RE.CO’s premises. Volunteers played a key role in maintaining the smooth running of the program and in creating a welcoming, respectful atmosphere. The number of meals served increased by 20% compared to the previous year, demonstrating both the growing need for support and the effectiveness of the project’s organisation.
The daily meals provided not only helped to ensure food security but also offered structure and stability to beneficiaries’ lives. Having access to regular meals reduced their need to search for food, allowing them to focus on other aspects of social reintegration, such as job hunting, administrative procedures, or reconnecting with family. Beyond meeting basic nutritional needs, the initiative had psychological and social impacts. Beneficiaries expressed feeling respected, cared for, and seen.
The project fostered a spirit of solidarity and mutual support, creating an environment where trust could be rebuilt – both in themselves and in others. Many began to regain self-confidence and hope for their future. Through this simple but deeply humane gesture – handing out meals on the streets every day – VO.RE.CO. has created a network of solidarity that restores dignity, hope, and connection to those living on the margins of society.
People being served
People being served : People who are marginalised
Age group : Young people 18-25, Adults 26-60
Number of participants : 101-250
Schedule
Project status : Ongoing
Collaborations
Images
Packed breakfasts
Pasta in disposable packaging
Overview
Society presence : Italy
Focus of the project : Other
JPIC Imperative : Transforming and Being Transformed
UN Sustainable Development Goals :
