Página: Hogar de Cristo-usa

06/17/2026

Bill that could ban homelessness in Chile.

In the video below, Liliana Cortés, National Social Director at Hogar de Cristo in Chile, addresses this matter sharply and clearly, highlighting Hogar de Cristo's concern that over 40,000 people in Chile are experiencing homelessness and the misplaced focus on slotting it into legal standing issues, rather than on global efforts and resources. The way forward is to continue implementing innovative, high-quality solutions to overcome poverty and social exclusion.

For many years, extensive medical and social science research worldwide has shown that punishing homelessness—through measures such as enforcing anti-camping bans and imposing fines—fails to reduce homelessness and instead worsens the crisis.

At the same time, the effects can be costly for public safety and emergency systems, making it more expensive for the country's taxpayers, cities, and municipalities due to involuntary displacement than investing in supportive housing and social services to reintegrate them into society (for example, housing-first, shared Housing programs, etc.).

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06/08/2026

Family caregivers and
In-Home support program from HC.

Mrs. Ida Piullín lives in Punta Arenas, in the southernmost region of Chile. She spent more than 10 years caring for her seriously ill husband in a 24/7 volunteer capacity. She had to quit her job to become his caregiver and devote herself entirely to him.

Mrs. Piullín embodies the role of many family caregivers (women and men), often the invisible pillar of care for older adults, people with disabilities, or those with chronic illnesses. Their work is usually done quietly, without recognition, compensation, or regular time off. Unnoticed by society and communities. Yet it is essential to the well-being, dignity, and quality of life of their loved ones.

They serve out of love, commitment, and a sense of responsibility, even when the physical, emotional, and financial demands are on the verge of exhaustion.

Amid her difficulties, Mrs. Piullín has found a space through Hogar de Cristo's home-based support program to unburden herself, talk, and feel heard—a source of support, she says, that gives her the strength to carry on.

Make a lasting impact that saves lives and dignity. Donate to our In-home care programs at www.hogardecristousa.org

Thank you,
Hogar de Cristo USA

06/06/2026

Farewell,
Juan Cristóbal,

On May 18, at the tomb of Fr Alberto Hurtado in Santiago, Chile, a gathering was held as a farewell for Juan Cristóbal Romero, a civil engineer and poet who—after 28 years with Hogar de Cristo—was leaving the organization to become the Cámara Chilena de la Construcción's General Manager, starting June 1.

He received an emotional send-off marked by memories, gratitude, and recognition of the legacy he leaves at the institution. The ceremony brought together staff, volunteers, representatives from various social services, and teams from across the country.

In his speech, he reflected on and highlighted lessons from nearly three decades of working in an organization with a predominantly female workforce (nearly 80%), where he learned about their sensitivity, discipline, sense of responsibility, and holistic view of life. "All of that, in a way, has also become part of his own personal stamp," he said.

At the time of departing, he left us a strong message:
"We can't normalize the experience of working at Hogar de Cristo. Sometimes routine, procedures, or goals cause us to blur or lose sight of the miracle we are part of."

With appreciation and gratitude,

Hogar de Cristo USA

05/24/2026

Monday, May 25th, 2026
Memorial Day,
Remember and Honor.

05/10/2026

Nearly 1 in 2 older adults in Chile experiences loneliness.
In-home care and ambulatory services for older adults from Hogar de Cristo. In 2025, 4,331 people participated through 71 service units across Chile.

In-home care services target older adults who live alone and lack sufficient family and community support to ensure their well-being. This situation can lead to abandonment or isolation, resulting in physical and mental health issues. The most severe consequence is a pervasive sense of loneliness or of not being wanted.

We invite you to become a recurring donor to Hogar de Cristo from the U.S. to support this cause that helps save lives and dignity.

Thank you,
www.hogardecristousa.org
Hogar de Cristo USA

Nearly 1 in 2 older adults in Chile experiences loneliness.In-home care and ambulatory services for older adults from Hogar de Cristo. In 2025, 4,331 people ...

04/30/2026

Adults 65+: Go for it and start writing by hand!

Hogar de Cristo Chile's initiatives, taking place from April 27 to June 1, seek to promote literacy, safeguard the mental health of older adults, and keep alive a habit that is, in fact, a form of mental gymnastics.

The open call addresses older adults 65+ to submit handwritten texts to recognize the most beautiful handwriting symbolically and to reclaim the written word as a tool for well-being, inclusion, and dignity. Chile is aging rapidly, with over 18% aged 60 or older, and it is expected that by 2050, this share will exceed 30%.

The illiteracy rate in Chile is just over 2%; however, it is heavily concentrated among older adults: the rate exceeds 6% for those 60+ and is even higher among those 75+. If we look at overall functional illiteracy for adults, then 50%+ struggle to comprehend basic texts. In all the above, most are women.

Liliana Cortés, National Social Director at Hogar de Cristo, commented: "We encounter people who have lived their entire lives without knowing how to read or write. Through its in-home care services and long-term residential facilities, the organization encounters, daily, people who never learned to read or write, as well as others who hide this fact out of shame." "Many also express a desire to learn, even in their later years. For Hogar de Cristo, fostering spaces for literacy and writing practice is a concrete form of inclusion. Promoting handwriting among older adults is not about nostalgia; it is about mental health, inclusion, and dignity." “Illiteracy in Chile bears the face of an older person—and, in many cases, that of a woman," Liliana Cortés emphasizes.

Full notes available in Spanish at https://ow.ly/b7IQ50YRiPk

Thank you
Hogar de Cristo USA
www.hogardecristousa.org

04/29/2026

Hogar de Cristo,
Over 81 years of transforming lives, offering innovative, high-quality solutions to overcome poverty and social exclusion in Chile.

Be part of our journey and make a lasting impact at www.hogardecristousa.org
Thank you,
Hogar de Cristo USA

Challenges to overcoming poverty in Chile. 2026-2030. As a leader and a core part of civil society in Chile, Hogar de Cristo works alongside the State on public policy, taking proactive action and often anticipating the State’s efforts with innovative, high-quality solutions to overcome poverty an...

04/21/2026

Inspiring Franco Cisternas' testimony of resilience. Without an education, you are nothing, he says!

A change in a trajectory is rarely a single event but a combination of support, resilience, and someone believing in its potential.

Franco, 18, a former SUMATE Foundation student, grew up amid instability and family disruption, but, as often happens, a combination of events changed his trajectory, including key support from loyal, recurring donors for this cause. Raised and loved by his grandparents, to whom the court awarded guardianship, he demonstrated strong resilience and determination in overcoming obstacles. Then a key organization, the SUMATE Foundation of Hogar de Cristo, entered his life. There, the education stops being just a boring obligation and becomes a pathway to restoring his dignity and sense of belonging, enabling him to pursue his dreams and life projects. Currently, Franco is studying Psychology at the Universidad de las Américas, Chile. Congratulations!

The full note about Franco is available in Spanish at the link on www.hogardecristo.cl

We invite you to sponsor a vulnerable student from our schools at www.hogardecristousa.org

Thank you
Hogar de Cristo USA

04/14/2026

Hogar de Cristo is a leading Chilean organization working with people living in extreme or severe poverty, acting through a technical, specialized, and evidence-based approach. It has over 81 years of trackable records, transforming lives and bringing them new opportunities through education, health, and employment, ensuring high standards of management and transparency.

The following graphic summarizes corporate figures for 2025 and areas of impact.

Be part of our journey through www.hogardecristousa.org

Thank you,
Hogar de Cristo USA

04/09/2026

Hogar de Cristo, Chile
Over 81 years of transforming lives and creating new opportunities for those facing severe poverty. We tackle poverty holistically by organizing our services into seven modalities that form a continuum of protection, support, and inclusion.

As a leader and a core part of civil society in Chile, Hogar de Cristo works alongside the State on public policy, taking proactive action and often anticipating the State's efforts with innovative, high-quality solutions to overcome poverty and social exclusion.

We invite you to get involved and join our journey.
www.hogardecristousa.org

Thank you,
Hogar de Cristo USA