Casa Roger Turner, a day centre and overnight shelter, for boys aged 12-17, that offered a social and educational service to vulnerable youngsters as an alternative to life on the streets.

Casa Roger Turner is located in the centre of Rio and provided a secure environment 7 days a week for up to 40 boys, most of whom have previously attended the Street Approach project, Task Brasil’s outreach project that operated on the streets of Rio from 1998.

We estimate that 500 boys per year benefited from the project on a regular basis. Casa Roger Turner was the only overnight centre for teenage boys in Rio in 2006 when it started operating. The centre's capacity was for up to 20 boys on a daily basis and an overnight shelter with 20 beds.

The centre which was the only one of its kind in Rio, servesdas an important stepping stone, acting as a half way house, between life on the streets and reintegration into mainstream society. It also offered an emergency service and a place where the children knew they could go and be welcomed when they arrived; they could begin to experience what it feels like to be treated with respect, dignity and kindness and in this way become more interested in the work of the project and in participating in the activities offered. This helped to improve their self-esteem and sense of autonomy, empowering them to make appropriate decisions for themselves about their life. On arrival each teenager put together an initial life plan that is periodically reviewed with Casa Roger Turner professionals. The centre also provided a place for the youngsters to socialise and develop social skills as well as experience cultural, sports and leisure activities.

In order to enter the centre the street children had to agree to respect and comply with the house rules which hade been established with the boys. They had to agree not to use drugs during their stay, and to go through a detox programme if necessary. They were not allowed to take drugs, weapons or alcohol into the centre and participated in the community life. In return, as well as basic education, they also learned about personal hygiene, sexually transmitted diseases and nutrition, as well as advocacy, citizen’s rights and how to manage their finances. The goal of this formal and informal education is to give these children a sense of worth and responsibility for themselves and those around them. Workshops run at Casa Roger Turner teach income generating skills, and provide an alternative forum to develop friendships away from the street.

The young people involved in the activities at the day centre also received financial incentives. The level of this remuneration was set in accordance with their skill level and the commitment that they demonstrate to the workshops by production.

Since it opened on April 4th 2006 Casa Roger Turner wen a long way; the centre was used regularly by the Street Approach Project as a means of introducing teenagers to the alternatives to life on the street; the music workshops (drumming) were particularly popular with the boys. Task Brasil's Youth workers are working to win the confidence of these boys and support them in resolving the issues which prevent them leaving the streets.

The centre is already a regular home for 7 boys who have chosen not to return to the streets and are now participating in the organised educational and social activities and are benefiting from the mental and health care offered in the local community and organized by Task Brasil. The boys have recently started attending school and some of them have initiated contact with their family members and are gradually re-establishing relationships. Some of them are still in the process of having their Birth Certificates issued.

Thanks to Moneygram's funding of two Workshop Instructors until April 2007, the jewelry making workshop is operational alongside a ‘business management’ workshop where the boys are learning to evaluate things like the cost of the materials needed, the cost of their work, profiting making, quality control and the price of sale. The intention is to make the boys more involved with the whole process and for them to realise that if they make good business decisions they will earn more and are then able to meet their financial needs. Via our partnership with UFRJ (university of Rio de Janeiro) we are looking into creating a 'proper jewelry' workshop, which would enable the boys to produce more specialized items, however the cost of the tools may be a restriction. Plans are also in place to set up an IT workshop.

Task Brasil has established a partnership with the Brazilian Air Force to give some of these boys the opportunity to learn new skills and vocational training. This would also introduce them to a disciplined lifestyle. It is hoped that this relationship will help the boys to be accepted when they enlist for the military service (compulsory in Brazil for boys aged 17/18 – however, in most cases boys from the streets are not called up), this would give them better working opportunities when they leave after 1 year's service.

Long-term funding for the project is key to ensuring a secure future the children in our care; Emerging Markets Benefits Ltd have funded most of the running costs and discussions are in progress with Rio's Social Services which will hopefully lead to some government funding (however this can never be relied upon as sudden changes in policy can result in sudden loss of income!).