In Brazil, a “13 Houses” Campaign project was launched in 2020 by the Daughters of Charity and other Vincentian collaborators. That project has already provided homes to numerous families, helping them to restore their dignity and stability. Building on this experience, a new phase of the project has been launched, in which four more families in Brazil are being supported as part of the 13 Houses Jubilee Project.

My name is Clever do Prado, I am 46 years old, and my greatest dream is to secure a house through the 13 Houses Jubilee Project. Currently, I live in a house that has been temporarily provided to me, but this project offers me the hope of a permanent home—a place where I can rebuild my life.

For ten years, I lived on the streets. My struggle with addiction led me down a difficult path, and finding stability seemed impossible. The biggest challenges I faced were accessing basic services such as shelters, medical care, food, and employment. On top of that, bureaucratic barriers, a lack of information, and discrimination made it even harder to find a way out.

Even during my toughest times, I never gave up hope. The São José Shelter House became a place of comfort for me. The Vincentian Sisters who ran it offered coffee, showers, laundry, help with social services, and legal support. Their kindness and care made me believe that things could get better.

The 13 Houses Jubilee Project has been a turning point in my life. It has not only given me the opportunity to have a home but it has also restored my dignity and confidence in the future. Now, I envision a life filled with possibilities—one where I can regain what I lost and do the things I love again.

For those facing similar struggles, my message is simple: never lose faith. Each person experiencing homelessness has a story, a battle, and wounds that are often unseen. But no matter the hardship, there is always a chance for transformation.

I am Sister Cleonice Regina Claudino, a Daughter of Charity for 32 years, with experience in healthcare, education, and social services. Throughout my journey, I’ve encountered homelessness, a pressing issue affecting society’s most vulnerable.

Our province began discussing concrete steps to support the homeless in response to our Superior General, Father Tomaž’s appeal. However, the pandemic in 2020 delayed these plans. Later that year, a fire destroyed a family’s home in Rio Branco do Sul, Brazil. The Daughters of Charity, Missionary Fathers, and a SSVP Conference came together to help rebuild their home. This success inspired us to officially launch the 13 Houses Campaign project.

The project initially focused on addressing the homelessness crisis. We formed a group of passionate volunteers, organized meetings, and started fundraising events. A women’s group also began creating and selling handicrafts, with the Sisters contributing their creations.

The project has faced challenges since the start, particularly with limited human resources for events, construction, and family support. Our biggest obstacle is the lack of financial resources, which limits the number of families we can help.

Despite these difficulties, our team remains optimistic, persistent, and united. What motivates us is our love for this cause, especially when we witness the joy of families receiving a dignified home. 

The societal impact of the project has been significant. It has raised awareness and inspired more people to support the cause of homelessness. The Church’s active stance on this issue, so urgent and needed in our society, has been vital in mobilizing action.

Among the many families we’ve encountered—each with their own stories of pain and exclusion—one story stands out: an elderly couple living alone in a shack under deplorable conditions. They had no bed, and they lacked a safe, clean, and comfortable space to age with dignity. 

At first, they refused to let us near their home and even drove us away, fearing our intentions. It took a long process of respectful approach, meeting them where they were, without imposing our own values or ways of life. This experience has taught our entire team that every human being is valuable and wants to be respected, understood, and embraced within their own story and reality. Today, the elderly couple is happy, and seeing their joy and trust in us was profoundly fulfilling.

This project restores dignity through homes that empower individuals to recognize their value and God’s love. 

Being invited to join the Jubilee Project has motivated our community, province, and Vincentian collaborators, strengthening our commitment to fundraising and supporting the four families we pledged to help. The growing involvement in this initiative inspires us to reach more people. Our main challenge remains financial, and while volunteer support is improving, we still need more to expand and assist a greater number of families. We remain hopeful, confident, and determined to expand the project, strengthen its impact, and increase support for those most vulnerable.