City of Recife
When a left wing mayor was elected in 2000, the city of Recife resolved to change its policies on youth homelessness. Previously, these policies had mixed naive charity with police repression, but the new mayor wanted to create a more just -- and more successful! -- policy.
The mayor convened a commission of three of the most important programs for street children: Ruas e Praças, Pé no Chão, and the Centro Hélder Câmara. The commission proposed a new project that considered street kids to be conscious actors in their own lives, needing education and respect, but not charity or repression.
When Shine a light met with the program in late 2002, it was only in its first stages, but it appears to be an important change for the city of Recife.
Secretaria da Política da Asistência Social
Cais do Apolo 925, 6 andar
Bairro de Recife, Recife, PE
3425 8136
fax 3245 8282
