The house where young people who grew up in a residential institution transition to independent living

Arantxa González (22) studies Early Childhood Education at the University of Viña del Mar, works weekends as a cashier at a supermarket, and, when she has time, also sells some goods at the street market. Since November 2025, she has been living in an apartment with three other young women in Quilpué. The space is part of a project by SOS Children's Villages called "Building autonomy: enabling a transitional home for university students of SOS Children's Villages Chile," which seeks to support young people who have gone through its residences to navigate their path toward independent living more smoothly. Arantxa's story with SOS Children's Villages began when she was four years old. Her entry into the protection system came about due to a situation of parental neglect and the absence of another adult in her family who could take care of her. Since then, she has spent practically her entire life under the organization's protection. Although a family reunification was attempted at one point, it never came to fruition. Today, after 18 years connected to SOS Children's Villages, she is building her own path toward independent living. Before moving into the apartment, Arantxa had lived alone for a year and a half, in a rented home with support from the organization. However, the experience was not easy: "I liked the idea of moving into the apartment, because it's not easy to live alone," she recalls about the proposal to move into a shared house with other young women she knew from her time at the residence. Arantxa's experience reflects one of the program's central goals: that the step toward autonomy should not mean suddenly facing all the responsibilities of adult life or losing the support networks that have accompanied these young women during their childhood and adolescence. A transition that doesn't begin at 18 The transition to adult life involves taking on new responsibilities and making important decisions, a process that is not always easy. But turning 18 can represent an even greater challenge for those who have spent much of their lives in protection residences and have grown up in contexts of vulnerability. Unlike other young people who have their families as a support network, many of them must face this stage with fewer tools and without the possibility of returning to a home. In that scenario, the risk of returning to situations of neglect is high, and support during this transition becomes fundamental. Francisca Riquelme, head of Corporate Alliances and Projects at SOS Children's Villages, explains that "it is extremely important that they truly become autonomous and can sustain their adult lives like anyone else, so that they don't fall back into a situation of vulnerability." For Francisco Ayala, director of SOS Children's Villages Quilpué, this is a particularly complex stage, not only because of the responsibilities that arise, but also because of the emotional uncertainty it can generate. That is why preparation work begins before reaching the age of majority. The National Service for Specialized Protection of Children and Adolescents carries out a program called preparation for economic independence, which seeks to prepare, accompany, and provide support networks to adolescents starting at age 14, so that when they leave the protection system they can take on an autonomous life. This process seeks to prevent them from facing their departure with fear or ending up on the streets, and it includes social, emotional, psychological, and technical support. As part of this program, Transition to Adult Life Homes have been implemented throughout the country—residences that seek to provide transitional housing for young people aged 18 to 24 who are pursuing studies and lack family support for their transition from alternative care programs to autonomous life. The Quilpué apartment, with capacity for up to six people, is the only residence SOS Children's Villages has for supporting its program graduates; however, they are seeking to expand this initiative. "We realized there was a gap and a space that needed to be addressed. Unfortunately, at the system level, there remains a somewhat gray area, since the Specialized Protection Service or the family courts do not see what happens after age 18," explains Francisco Ayala. Currently, Law 21.302 establishes in its article 3 that state support for young people living in protection residences can extend beyond age 18, provided they continue their studies. However, this condition has been questioned by various organizations, which warn that it can become a barrier for those who do not study and who, upon reaching the age of majority, are left without the possibility of continuing to receive state support. Faced with this scenario, a bill was put forward that seeks to modify the article to allow young people to access these homes even without pursuing formal studies, as long as they have gone through the preparation program for economic independence. The initiative has already been approved by the Senate and is currently under discussion in a Joint Committee to resolve amendments to other articles before being enacted into law. Learning to live independently, but with support In the apartment, the young women are supported by the same professional team that works at the Quilpué residence. There are psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, and therapeutic caregivers, as well as a health coordinator who guides them in managing their medical appointments. The support does not consist of constantly solving their problems, but rather providing them with tools so that, progressively, they can do so themselves. "Everything is aimed at them developing tools for autonomy, and eventually being able to resolve their needs individually," Francisco explains. Michelle Martel is 20 years old and currently works in the logistics area at DHL while studying Design in Valparaíso, but she is in the process of changing majors to enter Digital Animation, a decision that is also part of learning to plan her own future. Michelle was referred to the protection system at age ten, after situations of neglect in parental care were identified and no family network was available to take care of her. Like Arantxa, attempts to return her to her family's care were unsuccessful, so she has been part of the organization for ten years. Her arrival at the apartment was a familiar experience, since she had previously shared with the same housemates in the residential homes of SOS Children's Villages. However, she acknowledges that taking on work and academic responsibilities at the same time has been a challenge. "There's a part of me that wants to throw in the towel, but then I realize that working, studying, and having my personal life is a big step forward," she says. The program's support also shows up in situations that go beyond the practical. Michelle says she can turn to the professionals when she doesn't feel well, needs to talk, or is going through a difficult moment. "I feel very relieved because sometimes, even though I'm with my peers and we have similar lives, it doesn't feel the same as with someone older than you who has been through what you're experiencing for the first time," she explains. The moment to take the next step Leaving the apartment does not depend on a specific age or a fixed date. It is a process evaluated according to the tools each young woman has managed to develop and the conditions she has to sustain her life outside the program. Francisco explains that, along with evaluations carried out by the support team, they consider concrete aspects such as having a stable job, generating sufficient income, and being able to independently manage medical appointments and applications for social benefits. "The ideal is not just to set them on their way with a stable job, set them on their way with an application for some social benefit linked to the rental subsidy or the housing subsidy, and that they have the skills to navigate the world," he says. For Arantxa, that moment is getting closer. She will soon leave the apartment to begin a new stage with family members. The news has her excited, although she admits she also feels fear of the unknown. "It excites me and scares me a little, honestly." Nevertheless, she looks back and recognizes how much she has changed during this process: "At one point I could have left, but I decided to stay, and I feel that if I hadn't gone through this apartment, I wouldn't be the person I am today." Michelle, meanwhile, projects her future in a place of her own. She would like to be able to rent an apartment, have her things, and achieve economic stability. When she thinks about what she has learned during this time, she highlights something that goes beyond practical tools: "They have helped me trust myself and believe that I am capable. Also that, even though I may see things in black and white, there are still colors, and there are people who will be there to support me." For both of them, the transition to independent living does not simply mean leaving a residence or learning to take care of a home. It is also about discovering that they are capable. No small thing considering the history of vulnerability they carry. ___ Currently, the apartment meets the necessary conditions to house the young women, but SOS Children's Villages seeks to improve its facilities to provide them with a more comfortable and welcoming space. That is the proposal the organization presented in the Together 4 a Better World 2026 contest, which managed to rank among the fifteen most-voted projects. Although they did not get the votes to win first place and the monetary reward, they are still seeking to fund a renovation of the space in order to make structural improvements, fix problems with the electrical installations and drains, and renovate various areas of the home.