Sailors from the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), visited Coronata Campus on Tuesday, October 6th to help with the institution’s fall cleanup.
Based in Genoa, Coronata Campus is dedicated to helping refugees seeking asylum in Italy by providing vocational classes and a place to live.
Mount Whitney Sailors donated nine bags of clothing from their clothing donation program and cleaned up the courtyard in front of the main building.
“It is great that we can reach out and connect with an institution in Genoa that is trying to help those in need,” said Information Systems Technician Second Class, Imani McMichael. ”
Situated in the mountainous area of Coronata, and with views of the Mediterranean Sea, Coronata Campus opened its doors in 2016 in the former San Raffaele Hospital. Coronata Campus provides a place for those seeking political and religious refuge. The institution also allows them to adjust to Italian society by learning the Italian language and basic skills that will lead to employment. The goal of Coronata Campus is to pave a path to full integration into the Italian society for those who have gained asylum privileges.“Coronata Campus is large place and it was great to be outside and help with cleaning up their courtyard,’’ stated Operations Specialist Second Class Ashely Vescera, “they are providing such a valuable service to those staying there.”
Mount Whitney is working through its Consulate to engage in more Community Relations Projects to benefit the city of Genoa and provide an opportunity for the crew to learn from the host community during this period of social distancing and Covid-19 prevention.
Mount Whitney, forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests, and promote security and stability in Europe and Africa.