Rooted in a mission of transforming the lives of individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, the communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence offer programs worldwide to provide care to those who were lovingly called “good children” by founder St. Luigi Guanella.

Luigi Guanella was born in Fraciscio, Italy, on Dec. 19, 1842. He entered the seminary in 1866 and 11 years later he began assisting St. John Bosco in his care of homeless children. The populace and other priests often misunderstood his own personal journey and mission. He spent three years collaborating with Father Bosco to help rehabilitate children abandoned and rejected by society because of their physical and mental disabilities.