Estação Vida: Changing Lives in Shopping Park, Uberlândia

In the heart of the Shopping Park neighborhood in Uberlândia, Brazil, a remarkable community organization is making a lasting impact. Estação Vida—a nonprofit known locally as an Organização da Sociedade Civil (OSC)—has been serving children and adolescents from ages 6 to 16 for over twenty years. Today, they welcome approximately 150 young people into a nurturing environment filled with learning, creativity, and opportunity.

At Estação Vida, the mission is clear: to inspire dreams and transform lives. Through a variety of workshops and activities, the organization provides support for children facing social and economic vulnerability. The offerings are as diverse as the children themselves: recreation, English, judo, volleyball, music (including violin, cello, percussion, and more), drawing, futsal, and academic tutoring. Each class and activity is designed not only to develop skills but also to foster confidence, curiosity, and community.

But this work doesn’t happen without challenges. Estação Vida strives to maintain the high quality of its programming while hoping to expand services to many more families currently on a waiting list. The need is great, and the resources are limited.

Support comes from a variety of sources—municipal subsidies, corporate sponsors, benefit events, and generous individuals. Every donation, whether financial, material, or time-based, helps create a safe and inspiring space for youth to grow and thrive.

At Uberlândia Development Initiatives, we’re proud to amplify the incredible work of Estação Vida. Though we weren’t involved in the founding of the center, we stand firmly in support of its mission and have raised funds to help meet urgent needs, including safety enhancements and the launch of new programming.

If you're moved by this story and want to be part of something meaningful, consider supporting Estação Vida through a donation or by sharing their mission with others. Every act of generosity brings us closer to a world where all children have the chance to shine.