Entrepreneurship and human development are part of the learning experience at Vila Cuore.

At Vila Cuore, a social project of the Alliance of Mercy, vocational training, community living, and mutual support help build new opportunities and strengthen the autonomy of families.

For Cássia Aparecida da Silva, 39, the journey to Vila Cuore began with the search for an opportunity for her daughter. A resident of the Taipas region in the northern part of São Paulo, she discovered the Aliança de Misericórdia space and learned that a new cooking class was starting. She decided to participate and found much more than she expected: her daughter secured a place at the Center for Children and Adolescents (CCA), and she herself gained a job opportunity.

“"It's a wonderful experience, both in terms of friendship and knowledge."”, "Through the course, she began to see new possibilities for her family and to experience, in practice, how training can open paths to a life with more autonomy," says Cássia.

Learning to cook, plan, and undertake.

Gastronomy was already part of Cássia's life. She owned a business where she prepared savory snacks and appetizers, but she had to close it after facing management difficulties. Now, with the course, she realizes she is developing skills that go beyond food preparation. “Now I can measure things, I can control things. […] Gastronomy requires a lot of discipline,”, explains.

The training offered at Vila Cuore also covers entrepreneurship and personal development. Students learn about cost calculation, pricing, menu planning, and sales strategies. This knowledge is important both for those seeking employment and for those aiming to start and maintain their own business.

For Cássia, this part makes all the difference. She understands that cooking well is only one step: it's also necessary to know how to calculate costs, understand the audience, and organize production so that the work becomes a sustainable source of income.

An educational village that welcomes stories.

Vila Cuore is the Education and Vocational Training Center of the Alliance of Mercy, located in the Taipas region, in the northern zone of São Paulo. Its mission is to promote the integral development of people through education, vocational training, culture, and community living. In addition to gastronomy courses, the space offers educational activities for children and adolescents, including the Center for Children and Adolescents (CCA).

The Basic Course in Gastronomic Techniques is conducted in partnership with... Bia Rabinovich Institute, which supports training and professional development initiatives in the field of gastronomy. The partnership expands access to training and helps people in socially vulnerable contexts find new job opportunities and income generation.

But, as Cássia's experience shows, the benefits of this training are not limited to professional life. During classes, participants share difficulties, create bonds, and encourage each other to persevere, even in the face of daily obstacles. “There are many people here whose stories we end up getting involved with. So, it's like this: one giving strength to the other, one not letting the other fall short, one not letting the other give up because of the difficulties we face,”, he reports.

She explains that when someone faces difficulties getting to class, their classmates look for a solution together. This support network makes the course also a place of acceptance, friendship, and personal growth. It is in this environment that professional training takes on an even broader meaning. By learning a technique, developing confidence, and discovering that they can rely on others, each participant also finds the conditions to move forward and build new life projects.

Cassia's story illustrates this transformation: an opportunity that began with seeking care for her daughter unfolded into learning, connections, and a new job opportunity. This is how the mission of the Alliance of Mercy is also realized in education: offering conditions for each person to develop their talents, strengthen their autonomy, and recognize new possibilities for the future.

You can be a part of it!

Your donation helps maintain the social projects of the Alliance of Mercy and expand opportunities like those that are transforming the lives of Cássia and her family.

Donate via Pix: doe@misericordia.com.br

Discover other ways to help, such as donations, volunteering, and partnerships, at [link/website address]. aliancasocial.org/como-ajudar.