Salesian Missions (SM) opened its New Rochelle, NY office in 1947 to provide financial, technical, and commodity support for Salesian activities in 135 developing countries. The Salesian Society provides education and human development to poor, disadvantaged, and abandoned children and youth so that they can earn a decent living and become responsible citizens. They run more than 3,100 schools, of which 287 are vocational technical schools and 90 are agriculture schools. In addition, they run 860 nurseries, 220 clinics and hospitals, 1,670 social assistance centers, and 90 programs for orphans and street children. They are best known for their street children programs and technical schools, among which are the best in the world. Salesian Missions Office for International Programs plans, evaluates, administers, and manages projects for which it has obtained funding from the US Government and foundations. In addition the Excess Property/Gift-In-Kind Program addresses critical needs of technical and educational projects in 36 developing countries through property donations. Since the program's beginnings over $60 million in educational, agricultural, technical, and relief support has been shipped.
HISTORY
Their long and proud history began on August 16, 1815, upon the birth of their founder, St. John "Don" Bosco. At only nine years old, John had a dream which called him to dedicate his life to the education of poor and disadvantaged young people.
John followed his calling by entertaining and influencing his peers, even as a child. In 1841, he was ordained a priest and in 1859 established the Society of St. Francis of Sales – popularly known as the Salesians. It was the beginning of a movement grounded in John's educational style based on reason, religion and loving kindness. Or, to put it more simply, "work and temperance."
Since its humble beginnings, the Salesians have inspired many others to follow the path of St. John Bosco, including St. Dominic Savio. Growth over the decades has enabled the Salesians to expand into regions of the world where the need is greatest. Today, they are located in more than 130 countries and touch the lives of millions of children and families.
