The Madrid City Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection and well-being of vulnerable minors by guaranteeing the provision of school meals for the 55 children residing at the historic San Ildefonso Boarding School. This institution, which dates back to the 15th century, is managed by the city council itself and has the mission of providing a safe environment and holistic development for minors whose family situation is highly precarious.
According to the deputy mayor and municipal spokesperson, Inma Sanz, the City Council's Governing Board has approved awarding a direct grant worth €22,048 to fund the school meal service during the first trimester of the 2024-2025 school year. This financial assistance responds to an exceptional situation of social interest, since the beneficiaries are children from families at risk of social exclusion who, due to various circumstances, require assistance in the upbringing and education of their children.
The payment of this aid will be made directly to the educational center that provides the dining service, ensuring that the rights and needs of minors are covered with the consent of their parents or legal guardians. This support is part of a set of resources that the San Ildefonso Boarding School provides, which also includes maintenance, meals, uniforms, books, and tutoring classes, thereby ensuring a well-rounded education for the minors.
With more than 480 years of history, the San Ildefonso Boarding Residence operates under the Area of Social Policies, Family and Equality, and has been a pillar in preventing social exclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for children aged 6 to 14 whose families cannot care for them temporarily due to economic, social, or work-related difficulties. The main objective of the center is to provide a supportive environment without replacing the role of families, who continue to be responsible for their children.
During the school year, the children reside on the premises from Monday to Friday, attending local schools and returning to their homes on weekends and during non-teaching periods. In addition to housing and maintenance, the City Council ensures residents' comprehensive socio-educational care through a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including educators, psychologists, and social workers.
In terms of funding, the San Ildefonso Boarding Residence receives an annual budget of 1,150,000 euros from the Madrid City Council. A historically significant collaboration is the one it maintains with the State Lottery and Betting Company (SELAE), facilitating children's participation in draws as emblematic as the Christmas Lottery. Currently, SELAE collaborates through a renewed agreement with the City Council, increasing its contribution from €350,000 to €400,000, primarily intended to promote education and the personal development of the minors housed there.
In this way, the Madrid City Council continues to reaffirm its commitment to at-risk children, ensuring that the children at San Ildefonso receive the necessary attention and care for their personal and academic development.
