On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we highlight the inspiring story of two volunteers, Lara Rodrigues and Marcela França, who collaborate as volunteers with CASA - the Homeless Support Center. Both are part of the 2023/2024 edition of Projeto VIDA - Voluntariado na Católica and are committed to their mission of adding value to the community.  

CASA supports Lisbon's neediest population through a network of 400 volunteers, various patrons, and partner companies. In Lisbon, 700 hot meals are prepared and distributed daily to the homeless population, and around 120 hampers are distributed every two weeks to families who are proven to be very needy. We also have a technical team providing social and psychological support, and we have built up a network to provide other services such as general and dental medicine and legal support.

Lara Rodrigues, a student at the Institute of Political Studies, collaborated in the Food Collection Campaign on October 14 and 15 and said that "it was an incredible experience, where we were able to collect a significant amount of goods and food for the homeless population in several Pingo Doce supermarkets in Lisbon".

Marcela França, a professor at FCH and a PhD student in Communication Sciences, accepted the challenge of collaborating on a regular basis in the preparation and distribution of meals to homeless people in the city of Lisbon. For Marcela França, "In a world full of conflicts and inequalities, we cannot be indifferent. Although we can't save the world, we can reach out to those nearby. This is the opportunity my family and I have found by taking part in the Projeto VIDA. It's also a way of educating my children through values of inclusion and showing them the need for everyone to contribute to the common good”.

If you want to volunteer, sign up for the Projeto VIDA – Voluntariado na Católica here.

More information: voluntariado.sede@ucp.pt