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The project “RAISE extra” Alternative Response for Social Integration and Entrepreneurship, which supported the most vulnerable families during the Covid19 crisis in Portugal, has concluded.
With the Pandemic, the crisis affecting families in Portugal has worsened, for this reason the RAISE extra project has focused on the needs emerging in this situation. With the “ Community Social Service ” we have tried to respond to the increase in economic and social fragility, to guarantee the most vulnerable subjects access to essential goods such as food, medicine, water, specific products for children and the elderly. In some cases, we have also intervened by supporting the payment of some urgent and essential expenses, such as rent, so that no one was forced to leave their home and we have provided students with the necessary material to continue their studies remotely. The support work has also been articulated in technical and bureaucratic support to help families in requesting subsidies or aid provided by the State. In a difficult situation, which has increased the distances between different social classes, we have worked constantly to create a bridge between those who were most in need and those who had the means to help. The solidarity bazaar was born from this very intent: access to clothes and necessary goods was guaranteed to families in situations of economic weakness thanks to donations of goods and money from those with greater economic capacity. This circle of solidarity was fundamental during this period.
With the Community Social Service we have
- Supported 99 families
- Accompanied 249 people
- 90 food baskets distributed, together with Cáritas de Abrigada
- Provided materials for access to education
- Supported the protagonists in paying for medicines, medical care and basic utilities
One of the aspects that characterized the action of RAISE extra was the support for the inclusion of 24 migrants. In addition to food and basic necessities, we accompanied those who needed to regularize their document status. In addition, in collaboration with Cáritas de Abrigada, we identified a house in Abrigada that, duly adapted, could become a response to the need for rent-controlled housing for refugees, promoting greater inclusion and autonomy. The situations we had to face were different, someone told us that: “ I was very embarrassed to ask for help, but the confidence they would have given me made me believe that I was not alone… and I am not. Thank you for everything” .
Altri ci hanno incontrato proprio quando avevano perso le speranze: “Grazie di tutto, grazie a voi non ho avuto fame, ho trovato una casa e un lavoro. Ora avrò condizioni migliori per avere il mio bambino”. Affrontare i bisogni che si moltiplicavano proprio durante la Pandemia non è stato semplice, ma ogni sforzo e tutto l’impegno profuso per cercare di non lasciare indietro nessuno è sempre stato ripagato con la gratitudine e con la consapevolezza di aver innescato un circolo di reciprocità che porterà le persone accompagnate oggi a essere riferimento e sostegno per chi vivrà nelle difficoltà domani: “I want to thank AMU for all the help they have given me during this time. With your support I have managed to pay the arrears of my house rent and I am already working. When I have the opportunity, I want to be a volunteer here and be able to help other people in need, like I was” . The RAISE extra project has been concluded and has been financed with contributions from EDC – Economy of Communion.
To support other AMU projects alongside the most vulnerable communities
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