We have defined the three-year training and employment program at Albergo Etico as the "Academy of Independence." The term "Academy of Independence" was chosen to emphasize how Albergo Etico is made up of individuals with different roles and responsibilities, where a hierarchy and respect for superior roles are essential. This structure not only facilitates a gradual path toward achieving personal autonomy but also helps prevent potentially harmful mistakes.
At the same time, the work environment fosters a strong sense of camaraderie, where, regardless of mistakes made or misunderstandings that may arise during the day, everyone comes together to share the ritual of a meal, which eases any tensions, and finds moments for a hug. Much like a military academy, participants share a uniform and represent a "unit." The sight of young people moving around the city in uniform sparks reflection and prompts questions within the community. This approach also broadens the conversation about the employment of individuals with special needs and encourages more entrepreneurs to consider including such individuals in their workforce.
The Academy is a gradual journey through which participants learn to perform all the tasks of the hotel and restaurant (artificial nest) and replicate them in their family context (their own nest). The program is designed to last three years, based on our experience, which has shown this to be the average time required to achieve true independence. Participants learn not to return home to sleep but instead to stay in the rooms designated for staff. This is another significant opportunity to cut the umbilical cord with their families and learn to live with peers. It is incredible to see how these opportunities for self-management foster responsibility and motivation.
In the guesthouse of Albergo Etico, there are no assistants or educators, only work colleagues. The more experienced and mature act as mentors for newcomers. Giacomo, who came for a three-week internship, stayed in a small apartment with Niccolò. After this experience, upon returning home, he told his mother that he felt ready to live on his own. Of course, that’s not entirely true, but it mirrors the mindset of almost every twenty-something today. His mother, who had to manage moments of fear and worry (imagine thinking about your son finishing a late shift at the restaurant in an unfamiliar city, going out for a drink with colleagues, and then returning with a colleague to an unsupervised apartment—without the typical adolescent courtesy of calling home), experienced emotional challenges, even though reassurances (like Niccolò calling to let her know they were home) helped alleviate her concerns. This mother could have chosen to retreat into worry or celebrate her son's newfound independence and encourage him to overcome further limits. She chose the latter.
Daria, Guglielmo's mother, described her son's three-week internship experience at Albergo Etico as similar to an Erasmus program (the university program that allows students to study abroad for a year). Living in Switzerland, they sought out, planned, and approached this experience as a step toward learning independence—much like an Erasmus. For three weeks, the mother relocated to Asti but stayed in independent accommodation. Guglielmo returned home stronger and more aware of his own abilities. Looking in the mirror, he said, "You can't see as much anymore that I have Down Syndrome!" They considered the experience highly positive and plan to replicate it in Switzerland. This is the contagious spirit that Albergo Etico aims to foster.
