"Housing, work and human relationships are key to combating social exclusion"

How did you come to lead Cáritas Menorca?

It was the Diocese’s decision, almost 11 years ago. It was an emergency to replace someone who was ill, and I accepted because of my links with the Menorcan Church and the Cáritas project. Also, Cáritas Diocesana in Menorca already had a solid track record, with a firm social commitment and clear dedication to the social economy, which also supported my decision.

What are the main social problems on the island today?

Above all, I’d say housing and decent work. These are the two main areas that we focus on as a non-profit organisation and in terms of our work towards a social economy. We train people in situations of social exclusion or at risk of this, whether they’re from here, from other parts of Spain or migrants. But it’s not just about having a roof over your head, it's about being able to set down roots. I always say that the three key things to getting out of social exclusion are housing, work and human relationships. And while we may be able to offer support in terms of relationships, without a house and a decent job, everything else fails. That’s why we’re working to give them training and real tools, so they can get ahead.

Which groups are currently in the most vulnerable situation?

Particularly migrants and single-parent families, especially single women with children. Often, the two factors coincide. We also help people with addictions, homelessness or that have little support around them, which leaves them outside the system. These people often don’t have the tools needed to cope in this 21st century that we’ve built.

Are there any current projects that are having a particular impact?

Yes, I’d say the restaurant school in Es Mercadal. Together with the employers’ associations CAEB and PIME, it was founded after a huge demand for training arose in the hotel and catering industry after the pandemic. We took over a traditional Menorcan restaurant that was closed and converted it into a training space with basic cooking and waiting courses for 24 people a year. Also, thanks to our recruitment company Mestral, we open the restaurant to the public one day a week and we also prepare menus for schools. It’s an initiative with a real impact, offering recruitment and personal transformation.

You also run the Paidós programme, what can you tell us about that?

Paidós is like a home, although nobody truly lives there. It was launched by Cáritas Barcelona and we brought it to Ciutadella, with the intention of opening another one soon in Maó. We serve 20–25 families with children up to 12 years old, in situations of social exclusion. There, they work on everyday tasks: cooking, laundry, hygiene, sitting at the dinner table, etc. It’s about restoring the basics of family life and providing support from there, with educators and psychologists, helping to create networks between families and strengthen the sense of community.

And what about the Arbres d'Algendar project?

This is one of our most cherished projects, although it has little institutional support. It’s located in Barranc d'Algendar, a major green lung. For years, we’ve been recovering more than 80 native fruit tree varieties. It’s a non-profit, highly symbolic space, where we combine environmental restoration with social inclusion. We welcome people who need a little time, a workshop, a place with no internet where they can reconnect with the earth... and with themselves.

What’s the role of volunteers at Cáritas Menorca?

They’re our heart and soul. We currently have about 250 volunteers, 78% being women, most of whom are close to retiring. They work in churches, second-hand clothing and furniture shops, hand out food cards, offer legal/social support, etc. They also work on projects with children and the elderly. Every year 50 to 60 new volunteers join us, and their involvement is key to keeping us going.

Do you also work in international cooperation?

Yes, we run operations in Lebanon and Palestine. In Lebanon, we’ve been working with refugee camps for years. In Palestine, especially in Ramallah and Bethlehem, we support refugee women who run small businesses. We do it in connection with other Cáritas organisations and with the Fons Menorquí de Cooperació. We’ve lost contact with Gaza because of the conflict, but we hope to be able to resume projects when this tragedy is over as soon as possible.

What is the ‘Empreses amb cor’ network?

It’s an initiative to channel charity activities from the business world. We want companies to see that Cáritas is about much more than just clothes or food. Our aim is to give second, third, or however many chances are needed to marginalised people. An example is ARTIEM, which has specific charity rooms in its hotels, where all fees charged go entirely towards Cáritas projects. Or the ‘Table with a heart’ project, in which 15 restaurants collaborate by donating the proceeds from a specific table. In this way, customers can also contribute.

How do you see Cáritas Menorca in the future?

As a reflection of the social reality in which we live. Cáritas can’t simply look the other way: we have to respond to the needs of our land. I see a future focused on access to housing, training and employment, as well as caring for Mother Earth. Sustainability and the environment must also be a priority. Because if we don’t take care of Menorca, it’ll stop being attractive to outsiders and even Menorcans themselves.