Foundation Spotlight: American Foundation of Savoy Orders

A Chance In Life was honored to be a beneficiary of the 26th Annual Ballo di Savoia. Our heartfelt gratitude extends to the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, whose unwavering commitment to children’s causes has made a lasting impact on the lives of countless children and youth in need.

In a special interview, we had the privilege to connect with Joseph Sciame, who serves as Delegate to the American Delegation of Savoy Orders and Co-President of the American Foundation of Savoy Orders. Joseph’s commitment to education and community extends to his role as the Vice President for Community Relations at St. John’s University.

A Chance In Life is exceptionally grateful to Joseph for his longstanding friendship and dedication to giving each and every child a chance in life.

As an esteemed leader in higher education and community initiatives, what inspired you to become involved with A Chance In Life?

I met Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing sometime in 1975 or so as he would attend the State Conventions of the New York Order Sons and Daughters of Italy at that time. His words were always moving especially his quote, “When you wipe a tear from the face of a child, a star lights up in the sky.” Then on my trips to Italy and tours on several occasions by the late Brother Anthony D’Adamo, CFC, and Brother Sean Moffett, CFC, seeing the building that we of the national Sons of Italy Foundation had donated, of which I am now many years later its President, I became steeped in its merits for young men and women who needed a home. All these years as Vice-President at St. John’s University, I have pushed for collaboration with the then Boys and Girls Towns of Italy and now applaud the work of the current A Chance In Life leaders. We are about young people!

Why does A Chance In Life’s mission resonate with you and the American Foundation of Savoy Orders?

The current Mission of the American Foundation of Savoy Orders evolves about the Chivalry Causes for Children and what better way than to assist the A Chance In Life efforts to do so by raising needed dollars. You are making it happen in parts of the world that the now 1000 year+ Savoy Orders have been about. Our American Delegation was established in America to continue the good causes that prevailed over the many centuries with assisting the marginalized, the veterans returning from early crusades and beyond through this day, children, as well as to many other worthy worldwide causes. For all those reasons, we support A Chance In Life.

What message would you like to convey to individuals or companies looking to become involved with charitable causes?

My message to other organizations, companies and enterprises that wish to be involved with a charity that is needed and vibrant in its worldwide scope, would be to “get on the bandwagon” and help raise needed funds. We know the product and the outcome; we know that the young people who join at the various sites in many countries now are leading themselves, running their programs and developing skills and talents that will improve the human condition. For those reasons, any charity giving will be used in a good way as an investment. We are all making for a better world for tomorrow. My hat is off to the A Chance In Life leadership in Gabriele Delmonaco for its forward-looking approach and as we all feel “making a difference.”

Foundation Spotlight: American Foundation of Savoy Orders

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