Life Makeover
-Júlio cesar
50 years old
Stalled construction projects up 38% in Brazil
Homeless population up 25% in Brazil in 2024
Unemployment rises in early 2024, says IBGE
Stalled construction projects up 38% in Brazil
Homeless population up 25% in Brazil in 2024
Unemployment rises in early 2024, says IBGE
Stalled or abandoned construction projects
total more than R$19 billion in SP
In Brazil, over 328,000 people are experiencing homelessness, with 93,000 living in São Paulo alone.
Unemployment is one of the leading causes, forcing many to seek shelter in thousands of stalled public and private construction sites scattered across the city.
In Brazil, over 328,000 people are experiencing homelessness, with 93,000 living in São Paulo alone.
Unemployment is one of the leading causes, forcing many to seek shelter in thousands of stalled public and private construction sites scattered across the city.
Solv, a São Paulo-based construction company, specializes in restarting stalled projects.
In partnership with an NGO, it launched an initiative that transforms abandoned sites into
hubs for shelter, skills training, mental health support, and job opportunities for people
experiencing homelessness.
By redefining their purpose, these spaces go from abandoned to empowering—driving growth,
inclusion, and life transformation.
Solv, a São Paulo-based construction company, specializes in restarting stalled projects.
In partnership with an NGO, it launched an initiative that transforms abandoned sites into
hubs for shelter, skills training, mental health support, and job opportunities for people
experiencing homelessness.
By redefining their purpose, these spaces go from abandoned to empowering—driving growth,
inclusion, and life transformation.
Book release
Júlio César’s journey became a book—a powerful testament to a transformation that made history in São Paulo’s construction industry, inspired other companies, and paved the way for new legislation.
Download the bookBook presentation to the bBrazilian Ministry of Labor
The Life Makeover book was personally presented to the Ministry of Labor, alongside a proposed bill to reduce taxes for companies that hire people experiencing homelessness.
Citywide activations in São Paulo
In addition to the book, Júlio's story took over social media, business centers and urban furniture in São Paulo.
Hundreds of companies have joined the project:
Solv’s scalable model—now an open-source platform—is reshaping the construction industry’s
role in social change.
This initiative does more than change individual lives—it revitalizes neighborhoods, fuels
economic growth, and promotes social inclusion.
Júlio César, the program’s first participant, went from experiencing homelessness to building
a future as a construction assistant, thanks to Life Makeover.
His journey is proof that real transformation begins with opportunity.
O modelo escalável da Solv, que virou uma plataforma open source, está propondo uma nova visão para a indústria da construção. A iniciativa não só melhora os resultados individuais como também revitaliza bairros, promovendo crescimento social e econômico. Júlio César, o primeiro participante da iniciativa, agora trabalha como assistente de construção após receber suporte do "Reforma de Vida". Sua trajetória reflete a capacidade do programa de oferecer uma jornada de transformação, da situação de rua para a estabilidade pessoal e profissional.
Story
Júlio was one of many individuals approached by the Solv team near a stalled construction site.
Beyond physical transformation, he received mental health support and professional training—giving him the opportunity to rebuild his life and reintegrate into the workforce.
And he got the job.
Life Makeover is an ongoing movement for social transformation, dedicated to helping more and more people experiencing homelessness reclaim their place in the job market.
News
Get Involved
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