Press Center
Resources for Journalists
Salesian Missions is headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, and is part of the Don Bosco Network—a worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. The mission of the U.S.-based nonprofit Catholic organization is to raise funds for international programs that serve youth and families in poor communities around the globe. The Salesian missionaries are made up of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as laypeople—all dedicated to caring for poor children throughout the world in more than 130 countries and helping young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. To date, more than 3 million youth have received services funded by Salesian Missions. These services and programs are provided to children regardless of race or religion. Our Press Center is a key source of information for journalists, donors, organizational partners, funders and the public. In addition to the releases below, photographs and video from the field can be made available to journalists and partners upon request.
Salesian Missions also operates MissionNewswire.org, as a service to the public and the news media. The purpose is to provide information and insight about Salesian programs around the globe and news related to global humanitarian issues. News from and about Salesian Missions can also be found on ReliefWeb, the leading humanitarian information source on global crises and disasters operated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
U.S. Media Representative:
Laura Perillo
908-406-3413
[email protected]
Twitter: @SM_Newsdesk
To request interviews or ask to be included on our media distribution list, please contact Laura Perillo. Photos and b-roll are also available upon request. We may also able to assist journalists working for U.S. media outlets who are working abroad or planning trips to cover humanitarian-related news stories.
In addition to the press releases provided here, country-specific information is available in the Where We Work section of this website. Additional information is available to the media upon request.
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (March 13, 2010) – In the two months since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, funds have been used to provide direct assist to those in need in the Port-au-Prince area. In the days following the unexpected tragedy, the Sandals Foundation announced its establishment of a Haiti Relief Fund to support disaster relief…
Salesian Missions Releases Statement In Response To Negative Media Coverage At The Six-Month Mark After The Devastating Haiti Earthquake
January 23, 2012
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (July 16, 2010) – As the six-month mark came and went, the focus in the media was the lack of progress. It is true that so much still needs to be done. There was suffering and serious need before the earthquake and it was only compounded by this tragedy. The situation remains…
INDIA: Dropouts Turned Cultural Preservationists, Youth Leaders
January 19, 2012
GUWAHATI, India (November 1, 2011) – Former school dropouts are taking center stage to promote youth leadership in the Mising tribe in northern India. Throughout October, 2011, the 14 Mising youth performed traditional Mising dance at cultural exchanges throughout northeastern India. At the same time, they were completing the first phase of an extensive vocational…
Salesian University Recognized for Leadership in Providing Children with Prosthetics
January 18, 2012
SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR (Dec. 22, 2011) – The first-ever World Report on Disabilitieshas recognized the University Don Bosco in San Salvador, El Salvador, for its leadership in prosthetic and orthotics education in Latin America and for providing opportunities for adults and children with disabilities. The 2011 report was produced jointly by the World…
Salesian Missions Responds to UN Report on Signs of Progress in Haiti Nearly Two Years After Earthquake
January 18, 2012
PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (December 1, 30, 2011) – Reconstruction efforts are having an impact on education, health and job creation in Haiti, reports Nigel Fisher, deputy special representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, in a United Nations update released Nov. 29, 2011. According to Fisher, 88 percent out of the $4.6 billion in aid pledged…
Salesian Program Helps Economically Disadvantaged Youth Find Careers in Hospitality Industry
January 18, 2012
TRASI, INDIA (December 9, 2011) – A Salesian technical skills training program in India is giving poor youth job opportunities in the service industry. Don Bosco Technical Institute in Trasi, in collaboration with Taj Group of Hotels and India’s ministry of Rural Development has created a new program in Hospitality Management. This program aims to train…
Retraction: Salesian Missions Oct. 21, 2011, Press Release on Situation at Kakuma Camp in Kenya Contained Inaccurate Information
January 6, 2012
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (November 03, 2011) – An Oct. 21, 2011 press release entitled "Salesian Missions Responds to Transfer of More than 60,000 Somali Refugees in Kenya from Dadaab Camp to Kakuma Camp, Calls on Public for Donations" contained inaccurate information about the transfer of refugees. The reporting of the transfer of refugees from Dadaab…
Salesian Missions Receives Grant to Expand “New Beginnings” Program to Assist Colombian Refugees in Central, South America
January 6, 2012
NEW ROCHELLE , N.Y. (November 8, 2011) – More than 5,000 Colombian refugees in four countries in Central and South America will receive vocational and human development training as well as job placement services through a Salesian Missions "New Beginnings" program, thanks to external grant funding. The three-year program will focus on Colombian refugees living…
Salesian Missions Commissions 14 Volunteers for Mission Work in Countries Around the Globe
January 5, 2012
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (October 11, 2011) – Salesian Missions has announced that fourteen volunteers have been commissioned for mission work as part of their Salesian Lay Missioners program. Thirteen of the volunteers will serve in missions overseas while one will serve as a Salesian Domestic Volunteer at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School in Takoma…
Fiat-Salesian Partnership in India Provides Job Training to At-Risk Youth, Skilled Workers to Auto Industry
January 5, 2012
RANJANGAON, India (September 27, 2011) – A new partnership between Fiat and the Salesian Don Bosco Technical Institute in India will fulfill two essential needs for the South Asian economy—job training for at-risk youth and skilled workers for the auto industry. The program launched a few weeks before the World Bank reported one million additional…