Hogar de Cristo leads "Night of Encounter" to address homelessness in Chile

Hogar de Cristo hosted its third "Noche del encuentro" (Night of Encounter) at the Estación Mapocho Cultural Center, aiming to develop concrete solutions for people experiencing homelessness in Chile. The gathering convened government authorities, business representatives, and individuals with lived experience on the streets to analyze current public policies and establish intervention strategies.

The meeting highlighted that the complexity of life on the streets requires a commitment that transcends seasonal aid like food or shelter. Instead, solutions must involve permanent professional and human accompaniment, addressing extreme vulnerability from a comprehensive and sustained perspective. "The head thinks where the feet step," noted Father José Francisco Yuraszeck, general chaplain of Hogar de Cristo, emphasizing the importance of understanding the reality from the ground up.

Yuraszeck stated that the initiative, now in its third year, seeks to foster an environment where solutions are not conceived theoretically but are rooted in direct experience. "We are going to put our feet on the streets to meet people experiencing homelessness, try to put ourselves in their place, and from there dream up solutions for this that affects us so much, 50,000 people in our country," he said.

As an immediate action, dozens of volunteers deployed across various communes in the Metropolitan Region for street outreach. This work focused not only on delivering basic supplies but also on reinforcing companionship and human connection as tools for support amid low temperatures. The event concluded with a commitment from all sectors present to strengthen support networks and review existing programs.