By Instituto Melo Cordeiro Team | Project Leader
June and July: connections, expansion, and transformation
June and July were marked by important progress for Instituto Melo Cordeiro (IMC), combining the continuity of socio-educational activities with the expansion into new territories, the strengthening of partnerships, institutional development, innovation initiatives, and actions focused on the care and development of children, adolescents, and young people.
Throughout these two months, IMC continued bringing together education, culture, sports, innovation, and social mobilization, creating opportunities and strengthening ties with the communities we serve in Ferraz de Vasconcelos, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, and expanding its activities to the eastern zone of São Paulo.
Each initiative represents part of an ongoing effort to offer experiences that contribute to participants' comprehensive development while building an increasingly strong network of people and institutions committed to social transformation.
June1. Education that happens every day
In the S.E.R. and Pequenos Falcões projects, our after-school socio-educational programs, June was marked by the continuity of activities and the monitoring of participants' attendance.
A total of 29 workshops were held, totaling 222 class-hours during the month, covering Body Expression and Dance, Music and Theater, Recreational Games, Sports, Socio-environmental activities, and Communication and Expression.
S.E.R. served 78 children and adolescents, with an attendance rate of 78.86%, and Pequenos Falcões had 21 participants, with an attendance rate of 78.43% — both projects above the established target of 75%.
The S.E.R. Project also reported an SROI (Social Return on Investment) of R$1.32 for every R$1 invested, demonstrating the social return generated by the investment in the project.
2. Culture as a space of belonging
Instituto Melo Cordeiro's "Arraiá" — a traditional Brazilian June festival — brought together more than 50 participants, including children, adolescents, families, staff, volunteers, and partners.
With performances, games, and traditional foods, the gathering provided moments of togetherness and joy, celebrating cultural traditions that matter to the community.
For IMC, culture is also a tool for inclusion: creating spaces where families and the community come together strengthens bonds beyond the projects' everyday activities.
3. Child protection and social mobilization
The Institute took part in the Walk Against Child Labor, organized by the Ferraz de Vasconcelos/SP City Government and the municipal Department of Social Assistance.
The mobilization reinforced the importance of protecting the rights of children and adolescents, taking a fundamental message to the streets: every child has the right to play, learn, and fully experience their childhood, free from child labor.
IMC's participation reflected a commitment to collectively building a future where education, protection, and opportunity go hand in hand.
4. Connecting education, technology, and the future
June was also an important month for the Institute's innovation initiatives.
IMC took part in the launch of the Local Innovation Ecosystem (ELI), joining other organizations committed to developing the region through innovation and collaboration.
A meeting was also held with the management of ETEC Ferraz de Vasconcelos, a state public technical school, to align next steps for the Hub de Inovação e Tecnologia (HIT — Innovation and Technology Hub), an initiative aimed at bringing young people closer to technology, knowledge, and professional qualification.
5. Partners who experience the impact firsthand
We welcomed a visit from our ambassador Bruno Catta Preta, who observed the Institute's activities firsthand and shared moments with the children and adolescents we serve.
Having partners present where the work takes place brings them closer to participants' reality and allows the impact to be felt beyond the numbers — strengthening ties and reinforcing the collective commitment to Instituto Melo Cordeiro's mission.
6. Growth paired with accountability
Instituto Melo Cordeiro recorded 300% growth, driven by the trust of people who believe in the seriousness of the work carried out.
This growth is directly linked to the expansion of our service capacity and the strengthening of our network of social investors.
Every contribution helps sustain ongoing projects and create new opportunities for children, adolescents, young people, and their families.
7. Visibility and transparency
Throughout June, the Institute maintained an active presence on its digital channels, sharing initiatives, results, and stories from its work:
These numbers represent opportunities to raise awareness of the Institute's work, connect with new partners, and share with society the results built day by day.
July8. Education that opens new territories
One of the main highlights of July was Instituto Melo Cordeiro's arrival in Jardim Keralux, in Ermelino Matarazzo, in the eastern zone of São Paulo, Brazil, through the Raízes do Aço Project, developed in partnership with Fundação ArcelorMittal.
Aimed at adolescents and young people aged 15 to 17, the project offers a training journey based on the STEAM methodology — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics — challenging participants to develop solutions to real problems presented by ArcelorMittal, with mentorship from Instituto Melo Cordeiro and an award for the top-performing teams at the end of the journey.
The initiative is built on a network of strategic partners: Fundação ArcelorMittal, CIEE, Instituto União Keralux, and Escola Estadual Irmã Annette Fernandes de Mello.
This partnership broadens young people's training opportunities and represents not only a territorial expansion but also the strengthening of the Institute's mission to expand opportunities through education.
9. Transparency that delivers results
During July, the Institute advanced its presence on the GlobalGiving platform.
Based on strategic monitoring carried out previously, opportunities to improve the organization's performance were identified, resulting in training, information updates, and improvements to institutional communication.
Among the results achieved is the "Top-Ranked Organization 2026" seal, a recognition given to the best-performing organizations within the GlobalGiving network.
Institutional reports were also updated and translated, expanding the Institute's capacity to communicate and report to donors and platform users.
As a direct result of this work, IMC rose from 3,926th to 1,070th place in the ranking — an improvement of more than 2,800 positions — accompanied by growth in the contributions received through the platform.
10. Leaders connected by the development of the territory
July was also marked by preparations for the 1st IMC Summit, held in Ferraz de Vasconcelos, São Paulo, Brazil, aimed at bringing together business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives of society to discuss the development and transformation of the territory.
Focused on High-Impact Training, the event addressed topics related to preparing professionals for a landscape of innovation, artificial intelligence, and leadership, the role of education in generating opportunities, and human development strategies within organizations.
The initiative reinforced the Institute's role in building bridges between businesses, educational institutions, and the community.
11. Strengthening the third sector
The Institute also took part in the Third Sector Workshop in Ferraz de Vasconcelos, São Paulo, held at the City Hall Amphitheater, which brought together representatives of civil society organizations to share experiences and knowledge on management, communication, fundraising, and sustainability.
Representing IMC, Chico Ledo, the Institute's General Coordinator, gave a talk on Communication and Fundraising, highlighting the importance of strategic communication for strengthening social projects, expanding connections, and creating new partnership opportunities.
12. Care and support for participants
During the winter, the Institute carried out a care initiative, distributing warm clothing to the children served by the S.E.R. and Pequenos Falcões projects, helping to protect them during periods of low temperatures.
This initiative reinforces an important dimension of IMC's work: beyond educational, cultural, and social activities, there is an active commitment to the well-being and care of every child and adolescent served.
13. Governance and institutional sustainability
Another important milestone of the month was the inauguration of the IMC 2026 Advisory Board, strengthening the organization's governance structure.
The Institute's Advisory Board was created to contribute knowledge, experience, and diverse strategic perspectives, supporting the improvement of IMC's initiatives and the responsible expansion of its activities.
Its membership brings together professionals and partners with diverse backgrounds, strengthening a collaborative governance approach aligned with the principles of social responsibility, sustainability, and human development — an important step toward an institutional structure increasingly prepared to sustain and expand its social impact.
Board Members:
Aline de Melo Cordeiro Zizzari
Bruno Catta Preta
Fernando Lima
Francisco Junior
Kethlin de Melo Cordeiro Salgado
Maria Isabel de Melo Cordeiro
Neide Rocha
Stânia Moraes
Looking ahead
The progress achieved throughout June and July creates new possibilities for Instituto Melo Cordeiro's work.
The continuity and strengthening of socio-educational activities, the expansion into new territories, the development of cultural, sports, and innovation initiatives, the strengthening of IMC's presence on GlobalGiving, closer ties with businesses and educational institutions, and the consolidation of institutional governance form an important foundation for the coming cycles.
We will continue investing in the comprehensive education and development of children and adolescents, expanding connections with educational and technology institutions, building new partnerships capable of generating opportunities, monitoring our indicators, improving management processes, and strengthening transparency with everyone who believes in our work.
We continue working to turn partnerships into opportunities, education into development, and resources into concrete social impact.
Thank you for being with us
Every result presented in this report reflects Instituto Melo Cordeiro's commitment to transparency and to the responsible use of the resources entrusted to us by our partners and social investors.
None of these achievements happen in isolation. Every workshop held, every child served, every partnership built, and every new opportunity created carries the participation of a network of people and organizations who chose to believe that social transformation is possible.
Instituto Melo Cordeiro continues connecting people, opportunities, and resources to transform lives.
To our partners and social investors, our heartfelt thanks!
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By Instituto Melo Cordeiro Team | Project
By Nicholas Shin-Iti | Projects and Finance Coordinator
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