Three projects associated with the Society of Jesus in Portugal won the first edition of the “BPI Solidário” prize. Developed by three different institutions – Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Musgueira Social Center, and Community Center São Cirilo – the projects have in common a commitment to professional formation of immigrant populations and their integration in the job market. The three institutions were awarded a total amount of approximately 122 thousand euros, in a ceremony that took place in Belém Cultural Center.

“Coração de Mãe” (Mother’s Heart) is the name of the project developed by the Jesuit Refugee Service: it aims at promoting the professional and parental skills of refugee and immigrant women. The goal is to offer training to 30 women who are raising young children and have low professional/financial resources and little family support, in order that they may be able to enter the job market, while also ensuring care for their children. Accordingly, besides offering both theoretical and practical formation, the project will create an informal support network among its beneficiaries and intends to offer financial support so they will be able to hire a nurse. The formation program will last three months and will include sessions on child care, personal and social skills, parenting, as well as mentoring sessions (conducted by Portuguese mothers) on housework and cooking. 

Another institution recognized for its support to immigrant communities is Saint Cyril Communitarian Center with its project "Bê-á-bá Doméstico" (housework primer). This program will help 32 immigrant women with low educational qualifications and/or without recognition of professional qualifications who are experiencing a situation of social exclusion caused by the condition of unemployment or precarious employment. The project aims at meeting a need in the city of O’Porto, where there are neither services that offer formation in this area nor local services that perform assessment, training and accompaniment in employment integration. The project consists in an integrated cycle of accompaniment, which includes the assessment of needs, the job application process, specialized training in domestic service, management and enhancement of employment pool, and employment integration. Saint Cyril Center is an insertion community created by Jesuits in O’Porto that receives and empowers persons and families, both national and foreign, undergoing a period of social vulnerability.       

“Dar Alta,” a project developed by Musgueira – P. José Manuel Rocha e Melo Social Center, was also awarded the BPI Solidário prize. It aims at offering certified and qualifying training programs in the area of geriatrics and community support to long-term unemployed adults with low qualifications. Aimed at 100 adults, the majority of whom are women who live in Alta de Lisboa neighborhood, its goal is to improve their employability profile, by improving their educational and/or professional qualifications and promoting their entry into the job market. The project offers workshops, monthly mentorship sessions and the effective professional integration of 50 unemployed persons. 

Musgueira Social Center is a charity organization founded by the Jesuit priest José Manuel Rocha e Melo. Its goal is to help the population of Musgueira Norte neighborhood, a poor area in the city of Lisbon. Although it is not owned by the Society of Jesus, has an affective link to it – besides belonging to the network of social institutions of the Society of Jesus in Portugal, its president has always been a Jesuit.           

“BPI Solidário” is an annual prize awarded by the Portuguese bank BPI. The prize intends to improve the living conditions of persons who find themselves in situations of poverty and social exclusion. Its first edition took place this year and awarded fifteen institutions a total amount of 500 thousand euros.