The "Erwin" centre was set up in 2010 in the “Crocifisso di miracoli” (Cross of the miracles) Parish entrusted to the Jesuits in Catania. "In winter, a homeless boy froze to death. Erwin, in fact, was very well known in Catania," Fr. Narciso Sunda, of 47, parish priest of the community since May explains. "An event that has deeply challenged the parish reality".

As a result, the reception centre for the winter months of December to May was set up so that no other cases similar to Erwin’s will occur. Some buildings within the parish are being allocated for the project. These 12 young boys, arrive at the Centre at 19:30, take a shower and change. "During these days we have several Sicilians, a young man from Pakistan, an Indian, one from Burkina Faso, a Romanian, and a Pole" Fr. Narciso explains. They are recommended by the diocesan Caritas who sends them to the parish, where they find a large room with personal lockers where they can spend the night, as well as the possibility of taking a shower, a hot meal and, above all, someone to connect with.

There are 300 volunteers who take turns in preparing dinner. "The group or family who prepares dinner comes to the Centre to eat with the homeless," he points out. "Sharing a meal is different than just offering food and leave: it is an expression of dignity and possible friendship". At 10.30 pm the volunteer on duty sleeps over at the centre to be present in case of need. The youngest of them is 18 years old and the oldest 72. "When they find work or are allocated elsewhere, they make place for others who arrive."

This is a good challenge for all the parishioners: “getting to know the different stories, one immediately realizes that we could have been in that situation, a poverty that we manifest in other sectors and areas of our life. Many end up on the streets for migration, economic and financial reasons and also because of marriage separations," Fr. Narciso concludes. "Welcoming their poverty is an opportunity to welcome ours."