CMPC volunteers join the new support program for homeless people
A native of Santiago, Miguel Ángel Bravo moved to southern Chile for work, but became unemployed after a while. Without a family network to take him in, he ended up living on the streets.
Miguel Ángel is one of the beneficiaries of the Street Program, an initiative of the Ministry of Social Development of the Government of Chile lead by the Municipality of Los Angeles that seeks to help with the social reintegration of homeless people by providing psycho-social and socio-labor support. “I had been working in an agro-processing plant and then started selling band-aids on the street. This program is very good because it supports us and provides us opportunities to get ahead,” said Miguel Ángel, who is ready to change his living conditions thanks to the assistance he’s received.
A total of about 60 people meet each month under the auspices of this program in different locations in the district of Los Angeles, a town located in the Biobío Region in south-central Chile. The participants met for a final meeting at the municipality’s cafeteria. There they got to spend time with CMPC volunteers who gave them donated parkas and served breakfast.
The director of Social Development of the Municipality of Los Angeles, María Jesús Sandoval explained the initiative’s goals. “We provide comprehensive care to homeless people. We deliver psychological services and link them with the healthcare network and various Cesfam health offices in addition to meeting their different needs.” The director also pointed out that for the program to work, the collaboration of a number of institutions and companies is key. “CMPC has always been open to collaborating with the different divisions of the municipality, which also lets us spotlight the work that we do with people,” she stressed.
For his part, CMPC Community Relations Department Director Alfonso Muñoz expressed his satisfaction with the initiative. “We are happy to spend time with the local homeless residents. I’m feeling quite happy on this beautiful day because we were able to bring together a group of volunteers from the company. This gives everyone an opportunity to discuss their experience here and motivate others to also participate in activities of this nature.”
Like Michelangelo, Marisol Vergara is also part of the program. Known as “la Flaca”, she’d been living in a situation with her family that ended up turning her life upside down, forcing her to live on the street. Despite this, the whole group is filled with joy and empathy at these monthly meetings as they gather to celebrate birthdays and share their experiences. “I want to get my life back on track. Those of us who live on the street are discriminated against. There are people I know who won’t say hi to me, but I feel proud of myself. None of us own the world. Anyone can experienc a hard turn in life like I did, but I’ve never lost the essence of who I am,” she said.
