(ANS – Santiago – October 9, 2026) – The Communications Department of the Multimedia Studio of the St. Gabriel the Archangel Province in Chile (CIL) visited four residential homes in Santiago to document the experiences of volunteers and the families they support.
Service, closeness, and support give meaning to Salesian volunteering. To showcase its impact on both those who give their time and those who receive their support, Caetera Tolle has produced a new audiovisual project highlighting the work of volunteers.
The initiative arose as an opportunity to bring the community closer to one of the concrete expressions of St. John Bosco’s charism: accompanying children and young people, supporting them on their journeys, and creating spaces where they feel welcomed, heard, and valued.
The Caetera Tolle team visited four Salesian centers in the Metropolitan Region: the Raúl Silva Henríquez Family Residence in La Florida; the Casa Pinardi Residence in Padre Hurtado; the Casa Valdocco Residence in Lo Espejo; and Patio Punitaqui in La Florida.
At each center, the team documented aspects of daily community life and gathered testimonies from volunteers and residents.
The production aimed to showcase the experience from the perspective of those directly involved. Their accounts offered insight into the activities they carry out and, in particular, the bonds formed through shared living and mutual support.
The video premiered at the National Meeting of MJS Advisors in September and inspired new people to join the mission.
Reflecting on the project, Felipe Valdés, director of the Multimedia Center, stated: “Joy, closeness, faith, and education are tools for social transformation, and volunteering is work that embodies all these elements. Turning this into an audiovisual production that reflects its impact and contribution is a way of showing that our community upholds Don Bosco’s charism.”
Volunteering continually invites us to transform reality through dedication, empathy, and fraternity. In this sense, having an audiovisual record that highlights this commitment significantly strengthens our mission and reinforces community ties.
Watch the video: Caetera Tolle – The Impact of Volunteer Work
Fuente: Salesian Bulletin of Chile