Providing daily assistance to hundreds of homeless people, the Alliance of Mercy's space combines care, professional training, and human support.

Being welcomed, finding someone willing to listen, and realizing that there are still possible paths are experiences that can mark the beginning of a new stage in life. At Casa Restaura-me, a community center run by the Alliance of Mercy in São Paulo, this care is part of the daily routine for hundreds of people experiencing homelessness.

Daily, the unit serves between 500 and 600 people, offering food, showers, personal hygiene, laundry, assistance in obtaining documents, guidance on social benefits, and other forms of assistance. However, the work goes beyond immediate needs. The House also promotes socio-educational activities, vocational training, community living, and spirituality, seeking to contribute to the recovery of dignity and the rebuilding of social bonds.

This proposal is revealed in the different initiatives developed throughout the year and, above all, in the stories of those who find support there to start over.

Welcoming also means opening paths.

The daily routine at Casa Restaura-me includes groups focused on citizenship, employability, self-esteem building, health, substance abuse, spirituality, and social reintegration. Recreational activities, such as movie screenings, karaoke, and celebrations for those with birthdays each month, also help strengthen community spirit and a sense of belonging.

The spiritual dimension is integral to this care. Before the service begins, the staff gather for meditation on the Gospel. Those living there also participate in spirituality groups, moments of prayer, and celebrations led by the missionaries.

The work demands consistency, especially when faced with stories marked by family abandonment, substance abuse, and broken bonds. Rebuilding a life doesn't always happen quickly, and each person needs to be supported within their own context and at their own pace.

One of these stories is that of Genival, who faced homelessness and today is part of the staff at Casa Restaura-me. Recalling the time he arrived at the Alliance of Mercy, he highlighted a basic need that, at that moment, represented much more than just a place to rest: “"A bed. A bed, because it had been three months since I'd slept in a bed."”

The welcoming atmosphere he experienced shaped his life. Years later, while working at the shelter, Genival began to support people facing similar difficulties to those he had lived through. The experience also changed the way he views each person living there.“"Whenever I see a brother here at Casa Restaura-me, I see my own story, yes..."”, he reports.

His words reveal an important dimension of the mission: those who once needed support can also become part of the network that supports others. Genival's own journey is a testament to the fact that rebuilding connections and accessing new opportunities can open different paths to the future.

Professional training to expand opportunities.

Professional training is another important aspect of this work. Through courses and workshops, the House seeks to offer knowledge that can promote income generation, entry into the job market, and the development of new life projects.

In 2025, training sessions were held in partnership with... Senai and the Prada Foundation, ...including a course for building electricians. These initiatives continued in 2026, maintaining collaboration with partners and offering learning opportunities. In August, Casa Restaura-me also completed a professional training program conducted in partnership with... Social Fund, One dedicated to the production of aromatic and decorative candles, and another to the preparation of homemade cakes and jar cakes.

At the end, participants received certificates for completing the courses. The experience provided exposure to new techniques and knowledge that can be applied in future professional activities or income-generating initiatives.

More than just teaching a skill, these training programs aim to strengthen autonomy and broaden the perspectives of each participant. Learning can represent a job opportunity, but also a chance to recognize talents, regain confidence, and plan new steps.

Autonomy is also learned in everyday life.

Another initiative of the House is the financial education program that uses the Águia social currency. Through it, residents receive credits that can be used in spaces and activities of the unit, such as the grocery store, cafeteria, bazaar, social laundry, and Cine Restaura-me. The exchange of recyclable cans for additional credits also encourages sustainability practices.

The goal is to promote learning about financial planning, responsibility, and the conscious use of resources. In this way, autonomy is fostered not only through courses but also through everyday experiences.

In April 2026, the House fully resumed its activities after the fire that occurred in October 2025. For approximately seven months, the team had to adapt its services and maintain virtually all activities, even in the face of space limitations.

The reorganization and modernization of the facilities represented an important step towards the continuity of the service. According to the coordination team, the changes contributed to making the place more welcoming, improving coexistence, and reducing the stress experienced during the reconstruction period.

Despite the progress, challenges remain, such as the need to expand the network of volunteers and strengthen specialized support for people facing chemical dependency. Food donations, especially protein, are also important to supplement the meals offered daily.

Today, by recognizing his own history in the lives of others around him, Genival also expresses his confidence in the possibility of change: “"I believe in God, that we can help all those who want to get off the streets... I believe in the transformation of human beings.".

In the mission of the Alliance of Mercy, restoring lives means offering care in the present and creating conditions so that each person can envision new possibilities for the future. Often, this path begins with something simple and essential: being welcomed, being heard, and realizing once again that one's own life has value.

You can be a part of it!

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To learn about other ways to contribute to the projects of the Alliance of Mercy, visit the website. Social Alliance website.