Bringing dignity home: our LatAm volunteering project with TECHO

TECHO is a youth-led non-profit working across Latin America and the Caribbean to address housing insecurity and poverty. The charity partners with communities, volunteers and corporates to build emergency homes and run programmes that create safe living conditions and greater opportunities for families to live independently and with dignity. 

This September, 34 Kennedys colleagues from our Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru offices took on the challenge of building four emergency homes. The goal was to provide four families - 17 people in total - safer, more dignified living conditions. Coordinating across offices and countries was challenging, but with some outstanding logistics preparation from our brilliant office manager networks, the project came together.

The homes that were built, added around 20 square metres of space compared to what the families were used to. Many of the original structures were built from wood, tarpaulin or cardboard, with several people sharing one room.

The outcome

For the families, the new homes brought stability, privacy and peace of mind. In Mexico, Francisco and Elidia no longer pay rent, freeing income for food and healthcare. In Chile, Rosa and her family, who live with disabilities, now have a safer and more accessible home. In Colombia and Peru, families reported better rest, relief and less stress about unsafe housing.

For Kennedys volunteers, the experience created a sense of purpose and pride. Many described it as one of the most rewarding opportunities of their careers - a chance to work hard together, connect with colleagues, and contribute to lasting change.

This project showed what is possible when colleagues united across a region.  With over $30,000 invested across four offices, we supported families to live with more stability. 

Through Thrive Together, all colleagues can use their volunteer hours to support communities while being part of a global programme.  In doing so, we also contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 8, focused on improving opportunities for decent work and economic growth. Our global goal is to increase volunteering and pro bono activity and reach thousands of under-resourced individuals by 2030.

Volunteer voices

“With TECHO’s energy and coordination on the ground, we brought our volunteers and local teams together to support families who face daily struggles many of us can only imagine. The prefabricated homes were built by our volunteers, alongside members of the local community and families, giving them a sense of ownership and empowerment, while fostering teamwork and deepening our connection to each other and the cause.”

"This project was about more than just building homes; it was about strengthening social connections and developing professional skills like teamwork, empathy and leadership."

"The Kennedys Law team was truly inspiring — their motivation and commitment shone through as they stayed until the very last moment. Their dedication not only changed the reality of many families but also created those improbable encounters that have the power to transform lives and communities.”