Associação de Apoio à Criança em Risco (ACER) – building community leaders for the future
ACER works in the Eldorado favela, on the outskirts of São Paulo, an area with high levels of poverty, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, child abuse and illiteracy. Through education and individual support, the project aims to 'affirm the dignity of children and young people, transforming social perceptions and attitudes'.
ABC funded ACER's skilled team of educators, who are integral to ensuring children get specialist care. The project is also noted for its extensive community involvement, and its role in influencing local policy.
| Region: |
São Paolo |
| Type of Work: |
Youth community action; art and education; social support |
| No of children: |
430 |
| Other beneficiaries: |
Wider community |
| Age range: |
5-19 years, boys and girls |
| Founded: |
1994 |
encouraging youth action for 15-18 year olds
- Young Community Agent Programme – young people organise events, including popular public showings of films and discussions; a fortnightly disco providing young people with a safe environment for Saturday nights; co-operative games and special events for children
- Young Monitors – young people taught leadership skills, to supervise and co-ordinate Youth Community Agents, and assist other areas of ACER’s work, including running the library
arts and education
- ACER Library, open to the whole community plus free Internet access
- Capoeira classes – promotes co-operation and self-discipline
- Roots of Brazil Programme – teaches Afro-Brazilian culture through percussion, story-telling and traditional games
- Theatre Games – explores identity and social interaction
social support for children and their families
- Individual counselling
- School and family visits
- Assist access to health and social services
- Programme to Eradicate Child Labour (PETI)
- Support groups, tailored to the needs of vulnerable girls and boys
pressure for change
- ACER takes an active role at a policy level. In the past few months, the project has hosted the Southern Members of RECAD (Diadema’s Children and Adolescents Attention Network) and participated in the Municipal Children and Adolescent Rights Conference
- Young people in the Community Agent Programme are encouraged to sit on committees and attend conferences
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