History
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Villa Madonna SchoolVilla Madonna School was founded in 1936. Through the charity and goodness of the late Mrs. Alicia Gonzalez Neve who gave her home and property to the Salesian Sisters for the education of youth, the school was started. The school was established to serve the needs of children from pre-kindergarten (3 years old) through eighth grade. Although the school does not receive funding from the Diocese of St. Petersburg, it does follow the diocesan guidelines and curriculum and is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This innovative approach to education is carried out in a family atmosphere, using the Salesian principles of reason, religion, and loving kindness. Currently there are over 360 students enrolled at VMS from many different zip codes. Villa Madonna’s small class sizes allow teachers the opportunity to get to know each student and his or her needs personally as they work hard to help them succeed.
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Salesian Youth CenterThe Salesian Youth Center (SYC) was founded in 1995 by the Salesian Sisters and is dedicated to serving all children, ages 5 to 18, regardless of ethnic, religious, or economic background.
In the early 1990’s, the Sisters started a "Saturday Club", a weekly program that offered needy kids a safe place to play, a hot meal, and tutoring to get them off the streets. Originally located in the cafeteria of Villa Madonna School, this activity grew so popular that the Sisters reached out to the Tampa community for help with a capital campaign that enabled them to take over and renovate the old Jefferson High School Gym. The Sisters were able to expand their services and partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, thus forming the Salesian Youth Center/Boys & Girls Club.
Boys & Girls Clubs provides the staffing, while the Salesian Sisters provide everything else. As Joe Garcia, a prominent real estate lawyer in Tampa, helped bring together the community to support the project, the center was named The Joe & Anne Garcia Salesian Youth Center. For more information, visit syctampa.org.
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Salesian sistersThe Salesian Sisters are the largest congregation of religious women with over 11,000 Sisters serving in 97 countries. Founded in 1872 by St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello, the Salesian Sisters are dedicated to reaching the youth for Christ.
On July 16, 1908, the first four missionary Salesian Sisters arrived in New York City. They settled in Paterson, NJ, to begin their ministry with the children of Italian immigrants. The beginnings were challenging. Their new home consisted of three bare rooms, no furniture, and a partial roof. They had no food of their own, nor a stove, but depended on the rectory for meals. Their diet was spartan but the dire situation surprised none of them. Work, privation, and sacrifice had been foreseen as part of their offering to the Lord for the fruitfulness of the mission. For many years there would even be sisterly rivalry to see who could get along with the least for herself so the others could have a bit of rest. With courage, self-forgetfulness, and creativity they were able to overcome the many challenges that come with the total giving of one's life to the Lord. God blessed their sacrifices and the Sisters were able to establish schools and youth centers for the Christian education of the young, not only in Paterson but in many places throughout the United Stated. Including Florida.
July 2008 commemorated 100 years since the arrival of the first four Salesian Sisters in the United States. The Salesian Sisters continue to be actively engaged in ministering to youth and with youth, especially the poor and marginalized. Our centennial theme was "Celebrating Youth... Building the Future!" and as they celebrate their presence here in the United States, they prepare for a long and fruitful future.
© 2024 · Salesian Sisters, https://salesiansisters.org/100-years-in-the-us/
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