The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is pleased to announce it is donating $250,000 to the Società Habilis Cooperativa Sociale to assist in rebuilding a community center devastated by the 2016 earthquake. The Società Habilis Cooperativa Sociale is scheduled to be completed by August 2023.

"We are proud to support a project that will benefit the community of Ascoli Piceno," said NIAF Executive Vice Chairman John F. Calvelli. "NIAF is honored to help rebuild the community center that was damaged in a matter of minutes from the earthquake that struck in 2016. This is just one way our Foundation shows support to maintain strong ties between Italy and the Italian American community."

Once the community center is complete it will provide a space for children, the elderly, and families for social, educational, and recreational activities in Ascoli Piceno. In August 2016, a powerful 6.0 earthquake rocked central Italy followed by aftershocks resulting in lives lost and damaging homes.

When tragedies and natural disasters occur, NIAF is proud to work swiftly to fund relief efforts for those in need. Over the years, NIAF has collaborated with other Italian American organizations, the Embassy of Italy, and the U.S. State Department to fund relief projects after earthquakes that struck Puglia, Abruzzo, Emilia Romagna and Umbria.

In the wake of 9/11, NIAF raised money for the future education of 25 children of emergency personnel. In 2019, NIAF launched a campaign after the November flooding in Venice, the second-worst flooding in the city's recorded history. Most recently, in response to the pandemic, NIAF launched a Coronavirus Relief page that has helped to address the critical situation in Italy, provided medical and safety guidance for Americans, and helped to ensure that the day-to-day business of NIAF moved forward.