Our Work
ESPAço VIDA MAis (Second-Hand store)
Project Began in 2014 to Present
A vibrant second-hand store located in a working class and immigrant neighborhood of Massamá, about fifteen minutes northwest of central Lisbon, and also has an active local online presence with regular sales of costume jewelry donated by North Americans churches and individuals to Friends of Portugal. With a well-established presence in the neighborhood, Espaço VIda Mais is supported by a strong group of volunteers from a local Christian fellowship, as well as interns and a store manager. Providing high-quality clothing, jewelry, and household items at affordable prices to its clientele, allows its clients to make the best possible personal presentation for job interviews, the modern workplace, or for personal self-esteem. The store has also established strong community connections where many residents now actively support the store through regular donations to sustain the store and its service to Massamá, and through its work it has become a local "gathering place" for residents, clients, and youth. Clothing, coffee and encouragement is served in abundance at Espaco Vida Mais!
Centro Evangelico Second Hand Store
Project Began 2021
During 2020-21, Friends of Portugal collaborated with the leadership of the Centro Evangelico Church of Loures, located just steps from the O Encontro Building, to consider partnering to open a second hand store for the Loures community. Upon the completion of a thoughtful and well organized business plan for the store, Friends of Portugal made a financial commitment to support a store manager position at the new store through 2022, to be reviewed on an annual basis. In close cooperation with FOP staff and our Massamà and Sete Casas teams, the new store opened in the fall of 2021 to great local support and enthusiasm. Utilizing the foyer and downstairs reception and fellowship area of the congregational building, the church and store leadership are making great strides in community support, engagement and relationship building.
Sete Casas
Project Began in 2015 to Present
While the Friends of Portugal second hand stores are the public face and touchpoint of our commitment to the communities where we serve, none of this would be possible without the clothing and material sorting, packaging, and distribution center located in a warehouse on the outskirts of Loures in a small town called Sete Casas. When clothing is not suitable for resale, FOP's commitment to sustainability ensures that these are redirected for repurposing at other sites. For the past five years, a skilled and dedicated group of volunteers has done the difficult work of preparing donated clothes for resale, and also assists the stores in proper rotation of stock including seasonal offerings. Without the support of Sete Casas, and the Friends of Portugal delivery van that keeps the stores supplied, our efforts at providing for the community would be severely diminished.
A Ponte
Project Began in 2015 to Present
Located in the heart of southern Loures, A Ponte is a spacious and newly renovated co-working space and enterprise incubator located just ten minutes from the Lisbon airport. The multi-story property hosts more than twenty businesses and features offices for rent on an hourly or monthly basis, meeting rooms, seminar areas, and connections to international business leaders and universities.
Shift PT
Project Began in 2020 to Present
In collaboration with A Ponte in Loures, and guided by the national goals of Portugal outlined in #Agenda2030, Shift PT is an acceleration program where hope, skills, and opportunities come together to create meaningful social businesses. Many of the members of the Friends of Portugal team involved in its various projects have received critical training, skills, and encouragement through the focused mentoring of Shift PT, which in 2021 graduated its first cohort of participants that are now engaged in the second phase of enterprise development. A new cohort began in Spring 2022, and aspiring social entrepreneurs throughout Portugal all participate in Shift PT, enabling it to have a truly national reach to all parts of the country.
O Encontro
In collaboration with PumpkinIdeas Lda. FOP was able to purchase the majority of the large multi-story office building in Loures, Portugal, home to the A Ponte Co-Space project, ShiftPT and dozens of businesses and entrepreneurs. Extensive renovations to many of its offices and common spaces have been completed and in the spring of 2022 and event space was made available for public meetings, conferences and seminars. O Encontro means "The Gathering Place" in Portuguese, and the intention of FOP and its collaborators is to make it the pinnacle of community, business, and social events for Loures. With a nearby new subway connecting directly to Lisbon soon to begin construction, O Encontro is recognized by the leaders of the community as a critical part of the fabric of the citizens of Loures.
Business and Cultural Trips
Project Began in 2011 to Present
FOP offers exceptional opportunities for business leaders, entrepreneurs, churches, groups, and individuals interested in entrepreneurship, social and sustainable projects, investing in Portugal, and connecting into this beautiful country, its history, and people. Our skilled and experienced leadership team works with participants to customize a trip to suit the group and maximize the experience for all! Trips generally take place in the Fall and Spring.
During trips, attendees meet with Friends of Portugal’s leadership and project managers of our business and social projects, A Ponte, Sete Casas, and Espaço Vida Mais, and hear about their exciting work and impact on the surrounding community. On the cultural side, we will visit several cities rich with history, such as Lisbon, Alcácer do Sal, Évora, Nazaré, tour landmarks and historical sites along the way.
Partners
The local menonite church in Loures has been partnering up with Friends of Portugal on many occasions. Members of Centro evangelico frequently volunteer at our different projects, as the church itseld is not only spiritual but also socially and community oriented.
A non-profit organization with the aim of promoting social well-being and development in the areas of entrepreneurship and social action.
The Portuguese Bible Institute (PBI)
A non-denominational Bible school conducting evening classes and programs designed to train students from different denominations to be relevant Christian leaders. Classes are taught by professors from Portugal and other countries. The PBI offers programs through extension centers in local churches, as well as the main campus near Lisbon.
