In the last week of May, L., as she will be called to protect her identity, a 6-year-old child, left the Casa Lar Maria Paola, in São Paulo, to start a new stage of his life in a welcoming family. The move represents more than a change of address: it is the result of a careful process that respects the child's time and guarantees the continuity of their protection, development and construction of safe emotional bonds.

Casa Lar Maria Paola is part of the projects and social actions of Aliança de Misericórdia, which has been working on several fronts to care for people in vulnerable situations since 2000. In partnership with the City Hall of São Paulo, the institution maintains four houses in the capital, intended for institutional reception of children and adolescents in situations of personal risk, social or abandonment. The model seeks to offer a safe, familiar and affectionate environment, close to the experience of a home.

L. was welcomed by the Alliance of Mercy in 2023, after experiencing situations of family neglect. Since then, she has been living at Casa Lar Maria Paola, where she received full care from the unit's staff. Had his right to education guaranteed, being enrolled in the public school system, where she adapted well and developed positive bonds with colleagues and teachers. She was also accompanied by the health network and participated in leisure and cultural activities, such as trips to parks, movies and theater, which are fundamental for emotional strengthening and experiencing a healthy childhood.

Despite the difficulties faced before being taken in, L. proved to be a curious, communicative and resilient child. At Casa Lar, he created bonds with the educators and other children in the home, finding a space for listening, affection and safety. According to the unit's technical team, this coexistence was essential for the redefinition of its history and for the preparation of a new chapter.

+ Casa Lar: An environment that transforms lives

The transition to the foster family was conducted with the care that characterizes the work of Casas Lares da Aliança. The team carried out the process of approaching the child with attention and listening, promoting progressive meetings until L. was ready to live in a new environment. The goal is to ensure that this change occurs in a stable, respectful and protective way, strengthening bonds and avoiding new ruptures.

A model that prioritizes connections and autonomy

Unlike collective care institutions, the Casa Lar model is designed to offer children and adolescents a structure close to that of a family. Each house houses up to 10 welcomed and has educators who live on site, ensuring constant presence and emotional bonds with those welcomed. In addition, the units are monitored by professionals from social assistance and psychology, who work in an integrated manner with the protection network and with the children’s families of origin or reference.

Casa Lar also strives to prepare its residents for adult life. Through actions that develop autonomy, participation in decisions and encourage personal and professional development, the project seeks to ensure that each child and adolescent has the conditions to build their own path with dignity.

Another important aspect is the emotional sponsorship, which allows children and adolescents, especially those with few chances of adoption, to create lasting bonds with volunteer adults who take on the role of emotional reference. This support can make a significant difference in the process of development and social inclusion of those being cared for.

The mission of the Alliance of Mercy, through Casas Lares, is to offer more than shelter: it is to build paths of hope for those who have been deprived of protection, connections and opportunities. By providing an environment of comprehensive care, affection and development, the institution works to transform stories marked by vulnerability, promoting dignity and new beginnings.

L.'s story is one of many that reflect the Alliance's commitment to protecting children and adolescents at risk. The beginning of his life with his new family represents an important step towards the continuation of his development, now in a new home.

To help and learn more about Emotional Sponsorship click here.