Community in Action is a grassroots non-profit non-governmental organization (NGO) located in one of Rio de Janeiro’s largest favela (slum) communities.  Our mission is to offer vocational and cultural classes for students of all ages, as well as personal development opportunities for volunteers.  The majority of NGOs in Rio provide outreach programs on a service model: slum inhabitants simply use the services others (who live outside the community) deem they need.  We implemented a new approach, a new vision – one that fosters the possibility of long-term community change by including residents in the operation of the organization.  Currently, slum residents staff the majority of human resource and administrative positions.  These present and future community leaders are the volunteers, the teachers, and the administrative teams. As social entrepreneurs, Community in Action has created a model for excluded and deprived people to create sustainable livelihoods and promote societal inclusion. 

Effective outcomes can be produced and transformation can take place when community activists, resources and funding join together with a single vision. All donations are directed to programs that are best managed, most efficient, and most effective at helping people become and remain self-sufficient.

Make an online donation today via FirstGiving and receive a tax-deduction from our newly established 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Programs

The ultimate objective of COMMUNITY IN ACTION is to help residents work toward personal growth and transition from abject poverty to employment. We focus on cultural and vocational classes to facilitate this transition. Community outreach programs are continuously developed to matriculate students, recruit volunteers and add new classes. As more people become involved, our projects and services continue to expand and increase in scope.

Community in Action strives to keep our donors, friends and interested parties up-to-date with the news that we create. Our main priority is to keep you informed as innovative programs are developed and new people join our organization. If you would like to be added to our mailing list please contact us.

Get Involved

Community in Action is continuously searching for new volunteers (from outside Brazil) who have the desire to live and work in Rio de Janeiro. New outreach programs are always developed and additional support is needed. If you are interested in joining our team, contact us directly via email. We look forward to hearing from you.

Volunteer Voices

Many volunteers, from around the world, have visited Community in Action since its inception. Some stay for only a few months, while others stay for more than a year. The testimonials below represent some of the lasting impressions that remain after people leave the NGO.