Victim of financial fraud while trying to return to Venezuela, Antonio Ricardo Bonaparte, 53, his wife Yinberly Crisbel Gelbis Blanco and their four children found themselves in a vulnerable situation. Originally from the Caribbean and Caracas, the family found, in August 2024, in Vila Reencontro Cidade Tiradentes the opportunity for restructuring and social protection.
Just like them, between 2022 and August 2025, 809 immigrants were welcomed into the social program of São Paulo City Hall: Vilas Reencontro. The social assistance program was created to welcome and strengthen the bonds of individuals and families in vulnerable situations.
In space, there is a diversity of nationalities served. This reflects the multicultural character of the capital, with people welcomed from countries including Venezuela, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Bolivia, Guinea-Bissau and Argentina.
To serve this public, the units have specialized technical teams. Thus, they are responsible for social monitoring, support for the regularization of documents, access to public policies, orientation towards health and education, cohabitation activities and actions aimed at strengthening family autonomy.
The program is one of the main entry points for welcoming the migrant population in vulnerable situations in the city.
Reception
According to a survey by the Municipal Secretariat of Social Assistance and Development (SMADS), Vilas Reencontro Jabaquara 1 and Jabaquara 2 concentrated more than 320 receptions during the period, followed by the units of Sapopemba, Canindé, Pari and Santo Amaro, which also recorded significant rates.
Among these guests, housekeeper Fatima Sahissah, 30, her husband, Mohamed El Faiz, and their two children left Morocco due to situations of family persecution and conflicts linked to inheritance, factors which motivated direct migration to Brazil in search of security and stability.
Fatima Sahissah, from Morocco
The Vila Reencontro program has established itself as one of the main municipal public policies aimed at the homeless population. It was created to expand the offer of humanized reception solutions and decent housing.
The units have independent housing modules, living spaces, social support services, specialized technical assistance and actions promoting autonomy and social reintegration.
Since 2022, units have been delivered to strategic regions of the city of São Paulo, such as Santana, Mooca, Vila Maria, São Mateus, Ipiranga, Penha, Ermelino Matarazzo and Campo Limpo.
In total, 11 villages are operational, in addition to new complexes in the implementation phase.
With the arrival of Vila Reencontro Cidade Tiradentes, the program expands its reach and strengthens the social protection network in territories with high demand for reception policies.
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