We are proud to continue our “Spotlight On Impact” series, which highlights incredible NGOs doing vital work to change the world. This week, we are focusing on the Centro de Apoio ao Sem Abrigo (CASA), an organization dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable members of society — people experiencing homelessness.
If you haven’t already joined our Twitter and Telegram, click here to join the conversation! Please, also read this article to read about our third featured NGO, Associação Vila Com Vida, and learn more about their amazing work.
Founded in 2002, CASA was established to tackle the increasing challenges of poverty and social inequality in Portugal. Inspired by the vision of Pema Wangyal Rinpoche, the organization quickly became a key player in providing direct support to individuals experiencing homelessness.
CASA’s Mission and Vision
CASA is dedicated to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness and families in need by providing essential services such as food, clothing, shelter, and support for social reintegration. Their goal is to break the cycle of homelessness and create pathways to a better quality of life for some of the most vulnerable members of Portuguese society.
CASA envisions a world where no one suffers from homelessness and everyone can access their basic human needs, including food and clothing, without any form of discrimination — whether based on social class, ethnicity, religion, or gender.
Core Areas of Action
CASA’s dedication to improving lives is reflected in their diverse and comprehensive services. They focus on:
- Primary Support for the Homeless: Ensuring individuals who are homeless receive the immediate assistance they need.
- Support for Families at Risk: Offering critical resources to families facing dire situations.
- Support for Disadvantaged Families: Providing long-term solutions for those in precarious situations.
Their Impactful Activities in Portugal
CASA works tirelessly to help those in need through:
- Hot Meal Distribution: Serving warm meals to homeless individuals, ensuring no one goes hungry.
- Food Basket Distribution: Delivering essential food items to families at risk or facing economic hardship.
- Clothing and Bedding: Providing clothes, blankets, and sleeping bags to those without basic necessities.
- Hygiene Products and Primary Health Support: Ensuring access to hygiene products and connecting people with primary healthcare.
- Psychological Support: Offering counseling and emotional support to help individuals cope with the psychological impact of homelessness.
- Social Reintegration Support: Helping individuals regain independence and reintegrate into society by offering guidance and resources.
- Shelter Assistance: Providing safe and supportive housing options to those who need them the most.
Ongoing Volunteer Needs
CASA’s incredible work is only possible thanks to the help of dedicated volunteers. And, by the way, they are currently seeking volunteers to assist in several key areas:
- Legal Support: Offering assistance with specific legal issues faced by their clients.
- Communication Strategy Development: Helping develop communication strategies for both the team and the individuals they assist.
- Financial Management and Fundraising: Supporting CASA in drafting applications for awards, grants, and donations from companies or foundations. Fundraising training is a crucial area to ensure the long-term sustainability of CASA’s projects.
- Personal and Family Management Training: Offering training for disadvantaged families on personal finance management and conflict resolution. This practical training can significantly improve family life by promoting better financial and personal organization.
- Proposal Development for Partnerships: Providing consultancy and technical support to improve proposal writing and reporting, ensuring CASA attracts new partners and sustained support from companies.
- Waste Management and Sustainability: Offering training in ecological waste management, both for CASA volunteers and the families they assist, promoting sustainable practices that can be implemented in their daily lives.
How You Can Get Involved
CASA’s work depends on the commitment of volunteers and supporters like you. If you want to make a real difference, consider donating, volunteering your time, or helping to raise awareness about their cause. Every small effort contributes to a larger, more lasting impact. At Coompass, we are proud to highlight CASA’s work and the inspiring individuals behind it.
Stay tuned for more stories from our Spotlight On Impact series, where we continue to showcase NGOs like CASA that are creating positive change in the world.
About Centro de Apoio ao Sem Abrigo (CASA)
Centro de Apoio ao Sem Abrigo (CASA) is a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to providing support, shelter, and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness. CASA offers a safe environment where people can access essential services, including meals, healthcare, job training, and mental health support.
About Coompass
Coompass is a blockchain-powered platform specifically designed to engage companies in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives through active employee participation.
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