Américo Nave, executive director and co-founder of CRESCER, has 24 years of experience in implementing and coordinating community intervention projects. In an interview with Avenida Association, he tells us about two innovative projects, currently supported by the Association, that promote the inclusion and job training of people experiencing homelessness. It is an opportunity to learn more about the projects “É UM RESTAURANTE” and “É UMA CASA”, as well as the organization’s current challenges and ways to contribute to solidarity.

How long has CRESCER existed and what is its focus of action?

CRESCER was founded in 2001 and works with people in situations of vulnerability, namely people experiencing homelessness, people who use psychoactive substances, refugees, and migrants. Its aim is to promote their health, reduce risks, and foster their inclusion in the community through community intervention projects.

The number of people experiencing homelessness has increased exponentially over the last five years. What is your perception of the current reality in the city of Lisbon?

Our perception is that the increase in the number of people in this situation highlights the need for a structured, inclusive, and lasting response that goes beyond temporary solutions. We believe that homelessness is directly linked to difficulties in accessing housing, and when there is a housing crisis, it is natural for these numbers to rise.

Avenida Association regards É UM RESTAURANTE as a very special member, not only for its excellent gastronomic offerings but, above all, because it is an example of how social businesses can succeed. Could you explain what sets this restaurant apart?

É UM RESTAURANTE was the first social business created by CRESCER in 2019, with a dual purpose: to offer high-quality gastronomic experience with creative and well-crafted dishes, while simultaneously promoting the training and professional integration of people in vulnerable situations; and to generate a sustainable source of income for the Association.

É UM RESTAURANTE stands out for being much more than a dining space. It is a social project that provides training and employment opportunities to people in vulnerable situations, fostering their inclusion and dignity. At the same time, it ensures a high-quality gastronomic experience, proving that businesses with a social impact can be both competitive and sustainable. It is an example of how purpose and excellence can be combined.

Is Chef Nuno Bergonse responsible for creating the restaurant’s menus? Is he also a source of inspiration for the team?

Yes! Chef Nuno Bergonse has embraced from the very beginning the challenge of being the consulting chef for our restaurants. The very positive feedback we have received over the years, particularly regarding the quality of the food, is undoubtedly due to the knowledge and creativity that the Chef has brought to our projects. For the team, he is a source of inspiration and learning, contributing not only to gastronomic excellence but also to the professional growth of the trainees.

Avenida Association contributed this year with various kitchen equipment for É UM RESTAURANTE, as well as uniforms for the team. How important are these kinds of contributions?

They are very important. Although we are in a continuous process of improvement, our main area of action is not the restaurant business but social intervention projects for people in vulnerable situations. Therefore, having this type of support is always an added value, as it allows us to improve the quality of the service we provide to our customers while simultaneously strengthening the sustainability of our projects.

The aim of your project is to provide training and experience in the restaurant sector, equipping people to enter the job market. Is there an average duration of stay for those working at É UM RESTAURANTE?

After the training period, the trainees, with the support of our team, are encouraged to seek employment that aligns with their personal interests and goals, which may or may not be related to the restaurant sector. In some cases, trainees are integrated into CRESCER’s social businesses, such as “É UM CATERING,” which provides catering services and offers an opportunity for continued professional development within our organization.

Could you share some success stories related to this project?

Yes, we can share two examples:
The first is trainee C., who, through the training, was able to reestablish work routines, receive medical care, and obtain a dental prosthesis that boosted his self-esteem and improved his oral health, consequently facilitating his professional integration. Today, he works and can independently pay for his room and expenses.

The journey of A. is an inspiring example of overcoming challenges and rebuilding life. After completing the training, he developed new routines that restored stability and focus, finding work as a gardener, something he is truly passionate about. This progress is also reflected in increased self-esteem and the resumption of access to healthcare, including general medicine and dental consultations. Throughout this process, A. built new friendships, strengthening his support network and consolidating his path toward inclusion and well-being.

É UMA CASA (Housing First), a project originating in the USA, is another CRESCER initiative that has had a very direct impact on the inclusion of people experiencing homelessness. How long has it been in Portugal?
The Housing First methodology was first implemented in Portugal in 2009, and CRESCER launched its own project, “É UMA CASA, Lisbon Housing First,” in 2013. We started with a pilot project of 7 homes with the support of the Lisbon City Council, and today we manage 152 homes in the municipalities of Lisbon, Almada, and Loures, with the support of the respective City Councils, and, in the case of Lisbon and Loures, also with the Social Security Institute. We also provide supervision to other organizations implementing this methodology in the Azores, Algarve, and Porto.

What does it consist of?

The “É UMA CASA, Housing First” project guarantees immediate access to individual, scattered housing in the city for people experiencing chronic homelessness, those who have lived on the streets for an average of 15 years, with some over 20 years. The main goal is to promote full integration by facilitating connections to healthcare services, social support, and community structures, as well as fostering relationships with neighbors and the local community, helping to rebuild networks of belonging and support.

How many people have benefited from it?

In total, more than 170 people have benefited from the Housing First project implemented by CRESCER.

É UMA CASA includes technical and social support from CRESCER and requires commitment from the beneficiaries. How does it work in practice?

Beneficiaries receive support from a specialized technical team and sign a commitment agreement with the Association, which establishes the following conditions:

• A minimum of 6 monthly visits by the support team.
• Contribution of 30% of any income they may have (when applicable).

What is the success rate?

The project has a success rate of 90%, meaning that among the more than 170 people supported, nine out of ten have not returned to homelessness.

With the comfort and basic needs of these beneficiaries in mind, Associação Avenida recently donated 30 appliances. How can other organizations, individuals, or companies join CRESCER in providing what is most needed?

People and companies can support CRESCER in various ways, contributing to the well-being and inclusion of those we assist.

Individuals can support us by:

• IRS allocation: donating 1% of their income tax to CRESCER at no cost (Tax ID: 505 483 599).
• Direct donations via MB Way to 965 063 318.
• Donating goods: including clothing, personal hygiene products (including menstrual products), food, cleaning products for homes, and small appliances (e.g., microwaves or beds in good condition).
• Visiting our restaurants thereby supporting the sustainability of our social businesses.

Companies can support us by:

• Investing in the “É UMA HABITAÇÃO” project, which aims to create affordable housing solutions. For more information, contact: info@crescer.org

• Making direct donations to our projects, supporting their sustainability.
• Employing people who have been in vulnerable situations through the “Porta Aberta” project. More information: https://crescer.org/projetos/porta-aberta/
• Hiring our catering services via email: eventos@crescer.org

Does the organization have any mechanism (such as an Open Day) that allows people to learn more about its work?

As part of the Congress we organize (“É UM CONGRESSO, Housing First & Harm Reduction”), participants can visit the field and see our projects up close. Outside of this context, we are always available to welcome anyone—donors, partners, potential supporters, students, academics, other organizations, etc.—who wishes to learn about our work on the ground and understand the impact of our interventions.

How many projects does CRESCER currently have promoting inclusion, and in which areas?

Currently, CRESCER runs 30 community intervention projects, supporting people experiencing homelessness, people who use psychoactive substances, refugees, and migrants, along with seven social businesses.

How do you assess the balance between public and private support that the organization has received over time, and what is the importance of contributions from civil society and companies in addressing these issues?

Public funding still accounts for more than 70% of CRESCER’s total financing. However, the Association has been seeking to strengthen its financial sustainability through social business and the involvement of private partners and individual donors. Our goal for the near future is for funding from private sources and our own revenues to exceed 50%.
Based on our experience and the results achieved, we believe it is possible to eradicate homelessness. To reach this goal, a collective commitment is essential, relying on the support of civil society and companies to realize this shared vision.

In promoting inclusion in general, what are the main challenges CRESCER faces?

The main challenge we face is the stigma associated with the most vulnerable populations, particularly people experiencing homelessness. Preconceived ideas persist, such as the belief that people “do not want to leave the streets” or “are not capable of living in a home.”
Our experience demonstrates exactly the opposite: we have never encountered anyone who refused to join the “É UMA CASA, Housing First” project when given the opportunity to have a home and appropriate support.

What message would you like to leave for our readers about your work and challenges?

We want to thank everyone who has supported our work over the years, especially our public, private, and third-sector partners, as well as individual supporters. We would also like to give a very special thanks to Avenida Association.
We also wish to reinforce our conviction that having people living on the streets is not inevitable. As a society, we can and must achieve the goal of ensuring a home for everyone.
We invite all those who share this mission to sign the manifesto “A Home for Everyone“ and join us in building a more just, supportive, and inclusive community. For us, it is a matter of investment: according to our calculations, guaranteeing a home for all people experiencing homelessness in the country would represent only 0.1% of GDP per year for 15 years.

BIO:
Américo Nave

Clinical psychologist Américo Nave works with some of the most vulnerable groups, including people who use psychoactive substances, individuals experiencing homelessness, asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants. He has 24 years of professional experience in implementing and coordinating risk-reduction projects with multidisciplinary teams.
More recently, he has focused on social businesses, developing projects that promote training and labor inclusion for people in vulnerable situations, as well as other innovative initiatives based on the philosophy of Risk Reduction. All these projects are developed by CRESCER, an association of which he is Executive Director and co-founder.