Since the official inception of the Salesian Society by St. John Bosco in 1859, the Salesians have focused their time and effort in working with poor and abandoned youth – and not simply taking care of them but teaching them to take care of themselves.

Don Bosco knew from the beginning that the laity would play a vital role in the Salesian ministry and even said, “Let it be a lay institution.” His mission was clear and simple: to be a friend – a friend to kids who were poor, kids abandoned, kids at risk – and, in so doing, to be a friend to Christ.

And so this mission continues with the SLM program. Each and every volunteer brings this missionary spirit to each community they serve – caring for the youth and being a friend to them.

SLMs share in the tradition, prayer, work, family spirit, community life and educational method of the Salesians of Don Bosco, while living in community with Salesians and other missioners. SLMs work in various projects to provide an educational experience for young people and are committed to be, above all, Christian witnesses.