
Homeless Ministry (Rede Rua)
Region:
Brazil
Missioner Responsible:
Fr. Dae W. Kim, M.M.
Fr. Dae Kim’s project focuses on feeding, as well as, providing various services for the homeless. In collaboration with the São Paulo municipal government, Rede Rua currently offers nearly 1,000 meals per day to the homeless. With the financial downturn due to COVID-19, the municipal government has diminished its benefits program for the homeless, especially its budget to feed the homeless, which is vital to their survival. There is also a center that first began providing locker spaces for the homeless to keep their belongings. Since then, the services it provides have grown where homeless can now come and receive the following services during the day: Permanent lockers for their belonging; coffee and snacks; meals (limited amount); shower; laundry; health services (checkups, vaccination, psychological counseling); administrative services applying for various social benefits, applying for job listings; legal services with a lawyer that can provide information for various legal issues); skills workshop (i.e. haircut, cooking, arts & crafts, etc.); and information seminars on various topics.
“Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Luke 3:11