It wasn't even 6 a.m. when the first people started arriving at the door of the Maria dos Reis Barros State School, in the Taquari Sector, south of the city of Palmas, in search of services at the 1st Jud Pop Street Task Force. The event, promoted by the Judiciary of the state of Tocantins and partners, runs until 6pm this Friday (November 22nd), with various services offered to the homeless population and the local community.
Opening the joint effort, the coordinator of the Jud Pop Street of the Regional and Inter institutional Committee of the state of Tocantins and vice-President of the Court of Justice, Justice Ângela Prudente, emphasized that the action transcends legal and administrative functions. “We have begun a journey of commitment and empathy built to reach those who need it most, our homeless population, which faces complex and multifaceted challenges that require an integrated and humanized approach,” she said.
“This action is driven by values that unite us as a society: respect, solidarity and justice. It is the result of the tireless dedication of each member of this committee, the partnership between the Judiciary of the state of Tocantins and the entire justice system with government agencies, civil entities and, above all, attentive listening to the demands of those living on the streets,” said the Justice, stressing that this joint effort is the first and symbolizes an act of recognition in favor of human dignity.
“Today, more than providing a service, we are proposing to shed light on an often invisible reality. We want to transform indifferent looks into welcoming attitudes. Every face we see on the streets carries a story of overcoming, challenges and dreams, and above all stories of resilience.”
And because we respect every story, we're going to share the reality of life of Mr. José (fictitious name). From the state of Maranhão, living in the city of Palmas for around 22 years, he says he has been living on the streets for 15 years because he is no longer able to work due to a health problem. At the Jud Pop Street task force, he arrived in search of eye care, regularization of documents and assistance from the National Social Security Institute (INSS) and left the place celebrating the conclusion of his long-dreamed-of retirement. “Just knowing that I'm going to be off the streets makes me happy,” he said, commenting that he will now be able to have a home and ‘a little fridge’ to live in dignity.
Justice, rights and inclusion
In order to guarantee justice, rights and inclusion, various services such as: access to justice (legal advice and others), social assistance, health (health trailer, exams, vaccinations, among others), knowledge room, citizenship, leisure, haircuts, veterinary care, solidarity clothesline and issuing of documents are examples of the services offered at the joint effort.
In addition to the homeless population, the task force also provides services to residents of Taquari and the surrounding region. Maíra Ferreira da Silva, 33, was the first to arrive at the event at around 5am. She says that she hurried to get an identity card for two of her three children: 10 and 12 years old. “I can't miss the opportunity, because it's hard to get to the city center with so many kids.” 
“Today, here, we are having the opportunity to offer various services to this needy population, victims of invisibility and not invisible, who are the homeless and vulnerable people of the Taquari and Cappadocia communities,” emphasized the vice-coordinator of the Committee and assistant Judge to the President of the TJTO, Rosa Maria Gazire Rossi, reinforcing the services offered on site.
“We have the Social Clothesline, an incredible partnership with the Internal Revenue Service and the entire body of the Judiciary who have engaged in this campaign and we are having the opportunity to donate clothes, shoes, toys, books...”, she said. “We have services from the “Caixa Econômica Federal” (Federal Savings Bank) , PIS/Pasep, FGTS, the Labor Court opening labor claims, the entire justice system, bringing effective access to justice,” she added. “It's a day of great joy, of great gratitude for this opportunity to serve people who are still excluded from society. Bringing citizenship, human dignity.”
Partners
The partners of Jud Pop Street are: Federal Prosecution, State Prosecution, Public Defender's Office of the state of Tocantins, Regional Electoral Court (TRE-TO),BAR/TO, Federal University of the state of Tocantins (UFT), “Caixa Econômica Federal” (Federal Savings Bank), Love Hospital Tocantins, Army, State University of Tocantins (Unitins), SDHPD, Regional Labor Court 10th region, Labor Prosecution in the Federal District and the state of Tocantins, Federal Court of the state of Tocantins, Federal Public Defender's Office, Military Police, Anoreg-TO, Arpen-TO, Ulbra Palmas, Government of the state of Tocantins, National Social Security Institute (INSS), Palmas City Hall, Sest Senat, Senac, Senar and the Federal Revenue Service.
