The Monsenhor jessé Social CEnter:-Value, welcome, and protect.

August 19 — Day of struggle for the homeless population

The day of struggle for the homeless population emerged as an initiative of social movements, non-governmental organizations, and entities in Brazil that work to defend the human rights of this segment of the population.

The goal is to combat the prejudice, invisibility, marginalization, and violence that people living on the streets face on a daily basis.

By establishing a specific day for this fight, the aim is to strengthen social mobilization, encourage more effective public policies, and promote greater awareness of the importance of guaranteeing housing, health, education, and dignity for all.

For 15 years, the Monsenhor Jessé Social Center has played a fundamental role in promoting dignity, respect, and care for homeless people in Feira de Santana, Bahia.

Offering training to volunteers who dedicate themselves to this project, the CSMJ has a humanized and welcoming approach, and its teams work daily to offer support, guidance, and opportunities for social inclusion to those who face such difficult circumstances.

Among the actions carried out by the Monsenhor Jessé Social Center, the distribution of meals, clothing, hygiene kits, and blankets stands out, in addition to offering health services, social assistance, and referrals for housing and employment.

But the work goes far beyond immediate assistance: - The center seeks to create a space for listening, understanding, and hope, helping each person to regain their self-esteem and build a path of transformation.

Despite the careful work of the CSMJ, the reality in Feira de Santana shows recurring situations of violence and prejudice against this segment of society, which must be combated.

There are countless cases of murders of homeless people in the city. In 2024, four homeless people were murdered, and a few days ago, another man died after a fight in a soup kitchen line. Some of these victims were regulars at the CSMJ.

Children, as the beneficiaries of CSMJ are called, who lost their lives to street violence.

The continuity of the work of the Monsenhor Jessé Social Center reflects the commitment of the volunteers of this project to value the life of each individual, regardless of their social condition. Rosimeire Lima once lived on the streets of Feira de Santana, but everything changed with the help of the Monsenhor Jessé Social Center.

Although the date is officially recognized in some states, many social movements continue to demand greater attention and concrete actions to improve the lives of homeless people, since in all Brazilian cities, the numbers of violence against these people have only increased.

Stories like Rosemeire's show that it is possible to change this reality, and once again we realize that alone we can do nothing, but together we can strengthen this network of solidarity and promote a more just, inclusive, and humane society for all.