A Casa de Nossa Senhora da Conceição – CNSC

The House of Our Lady of Conception or, as it is known locally, Casa de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (in Portimão) is a private institution that supports girls at risk.

Founded in 1949 by Manuel Vitorino Correia, then Parish priest of Portimão, together with nine lay people connected to that community, the home was situated in a house near the main church until 1990. It then moved to the purpose-built home in the area of Coca Maravilhas near Portimão Aqua shopping centre.

Since 1986, the girls’ home cares for up to 40 juveniles at a time, from aged three. Today, there are 38 girls between the ages of 9 and 24 who come not only from the Algarve but also from other parts of the country. They are placed by Portugal’s courts for their safety.

Until 2015 the Dominican Sisters of Santa Catarina de Sena ran the home however, as time passed, with no new sisters to replace then and suffering from health problems the home moved to administration by its own committee. The committee currently consists of volunteers from the community including lawyers, doctors and local business people.

Although the home was originally Catholic the girls are from a mix of denominations. In addition to attending school they also have extracurricular activities including judo, volleyball, sailing and participate in other initiatives organised by various associations and entities.

Girls are not forced to leave when they reach adulthood. Some girls return to their own families or move to foster homes and others leave to start out on their own. Currently there are a few girls at university, two of whom have finished their degrees (one in law and the other in business management) and are now starting their masters.

The home receives various subsidies from the government and the local council but this is not enough to support the running of the home. Local businesses such as opticians, dentists and supermarkets help together with private individuals who help with raising awareness and support whenever/however they can but, there is always a shortage of items such as hygiene products.

Individuals can support the home by making an annual donation, no matter how small, donating hygiene products or of course monies. For more information contact the home via email casadenossasenhoradaconceicao7@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.

Tel. 282 410 570