After tragic experience, state employee found NGO to help homeless people

With the aim to reinsert homeless people into society, the NGO Nova Chance was created in 2016, acting in neighborhoods in the South Zone and Downtown of Rio de Janeiro. Since then, the institution has benefited more than 194 thousand people, promoting a better life for them by providing access to food, support in regulazing documentation, treatment for chemical dependents, refuge, employment and fulfilling the wishes of those who want to return to their birthplaces.

The project also assists some municipal shelters promoting these assistance, as well as fighting for effective public policies for this population in a state of abandonment. 

Approach and initial work

The initial approach takes place through the distribution of meals and snacks. At this same moment,  it is also offered the reception and treatment for chemical dependents, in partnership with the city hall and therapeutic centers. The informations of these assistance are passed to the CREAS – Centros de Referências Especializados de Assistência Social (Specialized Reference Centers of Social Assistance) – of the territories where the institution acts, facilitating the regularization of documents and promoting legal orientation to those who need, in partnership with Public Defender’s Office. 

Beginning of the journey

Juliana Telles, creator of the NGO A Nova Chance, was a commissioned state employee, but asked for her resignation when decided to fully dedicate herself to rescuing the homeless population. According to her:

“In October 2016, I initiated this work distributing beans every Monday on the streets of Copacabana, South Zone of Rio. In November of the same year, my brother committed suicide and I didn’t noticed how sick he was, even being so close, so I started to have a different look toward these people”.

Since the initiative was registered and the other services created, were already offered 194.200 meals, 1.235 referrals for chemical dependency treatment, 6.720 document regularizations, 3.962 shelters, 86 bordings for hometowns, 109 reinsertions of people that, with follow-usps, achieved to get out of the streets or shelters.

Challenges and obstacles faced

The project A Nova Chance doesn’t yet have its own headquarters. “What affects us the most is the lack of financial support for maintaining the actions and for us to hire employees, including giving our users a chance of employment, because many have this capability, but they need an opportunity”, comments the NGO’s founder.

She yet adds that today, more than other times, no one is free of finding themselves in a homeless situation. “There are various reasons that bring a person to this place. It can be a family conflict, a mental disorder, chemical dependency, diverse types of violence, unemployment. Anyways, problems that we all can have or know someone that has. That way, I can’t understand the lack of sensibility towards this population”, explains.

How to support A Nova Chance

It is possible to donate through PIX, using the key 51 21 96714-8663. It is necessary to inform the email so the receipt is referred for deduction in the Income Tax. 

There is also the monthly subscription. Know more about it by clicking here.

For more information write to info@anovachance.org.br.

Follow the NGO A Nova Chance on Instagram, like and share!