Founded in 1740 as “Opera della Mendicità Istruita” (OMI), Fondazione OMI is a Turin institution with deep roots in the history of Piedmontese education. For nearly three centuries, the organization has dedicated itself to providing educational opportunities to all, without distinction, consistently demonstrating a keen focus on community needs.
Fondazione OMI’s origins date back to a time when education was a privilege reserved for a select few. A Royal Patent from March 1776, preserved in its historical archive, certifies its official recognition. The idea of offering a loaf of bread and catechism lessons to the city’s beggars soon transformed into an ambitious project: the creation of a free school, the “Scuola di Carità” (Charity School), inaugurated in 1789 with the patronage of King Vittorio Amedeo III.
Over the years, the institution has undergone various phases, adapting to societal changes and expanding its educational offerings. From its initial elementary school, it evolved into more complex institutes, with the introduction of classes for girls and evening technical schools for boys. In 1803, the organization came into possession of its current premises, comprising the Augustinian nuns’ convent and the church of Santa Pelagia. The Crispi Law of 1890 led to OMI’s transformation into an IPAB (Public Institution of Assistance and Charity), solidifying its role in the Italian welfare landscape.
Throughout the 20th century, the organization continued to play a fundamental role in Turin’s education, despite facing periods of profound transformation. Following the closure of the last two “Vittorio Amedeo III” charity schools, OMI’s educational purpose shifted to collaborations with entities such as Cooperativa Proges, leading to the inauguration of the “Nido della Musica” (Music Nest) in 2006 and the reading point located in the Santa Pelagia courtyard, a “Nati per Leggere” (Born to Read) outpost. Fondazione OMI has consistently managed to reinvent itself and adapt to new contexts, keeping its educational mission alive and initiating new areas of action closely connected to personal and community growth.
Today, the organization serves as a point of reference for the Turin community, offering a wide range of educational and cultural services, from projects for children to activities for adults, throughout the year. Addressing people’s needs, promoting inclusion, and valuing its historical heritage are the pillars upon which OMI’s actions are founded.
