Safe Housing Brazil Project #43235

Crescimento Limpo, Supportive Housing for Homeless

by Associacao Crescimento Limpo

Crescimento Limpo, Supportive Housing for Homeless

Project Report | Jul 23, 2021
Guaranteeing a Way Out

By Mark Kaiser | Founder and Director of Crescimento Limpo

CL House, keeping the door open to recovery

CL housing serves a wide variety of public. We currently assist individuals coming from chemical addiction, long term homelessnes, international refugees, victims of domestic violence and of economic misfortune. There are endless factors that leave our friends unable to provide for their own housing and disoriented within the practice of daily survival.

I had a friend years ago who inspired our work. For confidentiality, I'll refer to him here as Adam. Adam had been living on the streets for years, and due to his addiction he burned all his bridges with family. When he came to us asking for help to get clean, we gladly helped him into a residential rehab program and accompanied him throughout his six month stay. When his time at rehab was complete Adam faced the question of where to go next. Without any other option in view, he decided to seek his father's blessing to come back home to "start over". I went to speak to Adam's dad, and softened the blow before picking Adam up from rehab. I was met with a lot of fear about what could go wrong, but also a dutiful willingness to try again. In my inexperienced pursuit of reconciliation, I took that as a "win" and did nothing more to help prepare Adam's family for the coming transition.

When I showed up with Adam the next week, the fear had overcome any sense of familial duty. Adam heard hurtful words of disbelief, and we left his father's house to prepare a makeshift space in my garage for his reception. Adam's self confidence took a major hit and he began his recovery with the feeling that there was no place off the streets where he belonged. As a Christian, I couldn't sleep with that. What is the Kingdom of God if those who look to overcome their personal demons, and who follow the guidance offered towards recovery, find only dead ends?

This was the story that gave rise to our organization.

I believe that anyone who would commit himself/herself to the hard work of recovery should have a viable option to live out their recovery. That is the purpose CL fulfills- to guarantee access to a way out of homelessness.

For ten years now CL has kept an open door to those in need. We have learned daily how to do that better, and our lives have been enriched through the process.

Thank you for partnering with us! And may we all find such grace to carry us through the darker days that we will face as well.

Peace to your home.

Learning new skills in construction

Continuing education while at CL

Links:

CL Website (English version)

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