Abstract

Given the increasing attention to religiously inspired organizations in the social field, this article presents the results of an exploratory survey on the characteristics and action logics of different organizations variously connected to the Catholic Church in the Milan area. The nine selected cases– seven chosen for their notable relevance and two as examples of grassroots initiatives– are highly diverse in origin and the impact of their initial imprinting on organizational strategies and modes of action. These organizations are described as having a significantly growing social commitment, offering a multitude of services to people in various poverty situations, supplementing and sometimes replacing public services. The study highlights a tendency to shift from a welfare-based approach to one of activation, based on personalized relationships that provide comprehensive and unhurried attention. These traits contrast with the sectorization of interventions and the reduction of time typical of service rationalization processes, but they can foster trust relationships that help individuals overcome need, even in very difficult cases. These are interesting findings. However, given the exploratory nature of the survey, they should be considered with caution. It is hoped that they will form the basis for more systematic investigations.