SOS Children's Village Jacarepaguá was built on a 5-acre site in Rio de Janeiro, the former capital of Brazil. It opened its gates in June 1980. The SOS Children's Village is situated in the suburb of Jacarepaguá, about 30 kilometres south of the city centre. It consists of 14 family houses, where up to 135 children can find a new home. There is also the village director's house, a house for the so-called SOS aunts (SOS mother trainees or family helpers who support the SOS mothers during their daily work and fill in for them when they are ill or on leave), and an administration and service area. Children from the SOS Children's Village usually attend the state-run schools in the neighbourhood.
In 2001, an SOS Youth Facility was set up in the city centre. It accommodates up to twelve youths from the SOS Children's Village. Young people usually move from the SOS Children's Village to an SOS Youth Facility when they start a vocational training course or go on to higher education. With the support of qualified youth workers, the young people develop realistic perspectives for their future, learn to shoulder responsibility and increasingly make their own decisions. They are encouraged to develop team spirit and build up contacts with relatives and friends, as well as with the relevant authorities and potential employers.
At Jacarepaguá, there is also an SOS Social Centre, which offers full day-care for up to 460 pre-school children.