Malena Famá

Through a robust ecosystem and a fresh societal approach, Malena empowers individuals in homelessness to restore dignity in, and regain control over, their lives.

Malena is empowering the most vulnerable homeless adults, helping them regain their dignity and reshape their life possibilities. Her approach involves reconnecting them with their aspirations and potential, steering them away from addiction and the abandonment that led to their homelessness. To facilitate this transformation, Malena leads a dedicated and committed professional team, addressing the most intricate aspects of their challenges.



In contrast to prevailing approaches centered on assistance, Malena champions a perspective that positions individuals as the architects of their own recovery journey. She envisions the social context as a shared responsibility in creating conducive conditions for a life off the streets. The framework of Multipolar, the initiative she spearheads, hinges on labor and productive engagement, not as an isolated goal but as a facilitator of personalized progress, guided by support. This methodology concurrently fortifies the intervention's sustainability, benefiting the individuals and the broader society.



A notable hurdle concerning homelessness is the invisibility of the affected individuals and the issue itself. This is underscored by the absence of reliable state-level statistics, leading to misguided assessments and solutions. Malena and her team tirelessly strive to bring the issue to light through a compassionate and enabling lens, fostering a collaborative network of organizations catering to various stages of the recovery journey. This collaborative ecosystem involves mobilizing businesses, local administrations, social entities, unions, cooperatives, media outlets, and individuals.



Malena also aims to reshape public perceptions of homelessness. Her visibility efforts are crafted around messages that underscore the multifaceted nature of the problem while catalyzing transformative action within organizations and individuals, calling on them as changemakers. On a legislative front, Malena played a pivotal role in shaping a new national law that addresses homelessness through an ecosystem-focused strategy, eschewing the traditional assistance-centered approach. This endeavor was complemented by her collaboration with the University of Buenos Aires in devising a specialized training program for professionals, arming them with the core tools of her unique approach and expertise.

Individuals experiencing homelessness face a deterioration in their emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being, often adopting a passive and hopeless outlook developed while living on the streets. A study by the Institute of Global Homelessness reveals that those living on the streets are four times more likely to die compared to individuals with housing due to exposure to diseases, violence, harsh weather conditions, and substance abuse. A survey conducted by Multipolar indicates that homeless individuals typically start consuming drugs within two to four months if they were not already using substances before falling into homelessness. An overwhelming 80% of those engaged with Multipolar are active drug users, constituting the most complex group to assist in regaining autonomy.



Simultaneously, the challenges faced by homeless individuals remain systematically invisible, primarily due to the lack of reliable statistical data. Despite a 2018 census in the City of Buenos Aires aiming to calculate the street population, no national mechanisms exist for quantifying this group. This hampers the formulation of informed and effective public policies. In Buenos Aires, public surveys suggest an approximate population of 2,500 homeless individuals. However, social organizations focused on this issue estimate numbers ranging from 14,000 to 16,000. The discrepancy between governmental figures and those provided by organizations directly involved underscores the problem’s invisibility and the intricacies of addressing it. This issue affecting the homeless occurs within the backdrop of rising poverty in Argentina, affecting almost 40% of the population, straining resources and support capacity for this marginalized group.



Despite the complexity and hidden nature of the issue, government bodies, social organizations, and religious institutions have provided only partial responses, predominantly centered on an assistance-focused approach that tackles immediate needs but fails to establish lasting solutions for those affected. In terms of legal assistance, Law 3706 for the comprehensive protection and guarantee of the rights of homeless and at-risk individuals exists. However, this law lacks sufficient funding and a systemic approach to shift from a welfare-centric paradigm to one promoting self-sustained employment. On December 24, 2021, a National Law for addressing homelessness was enacted, in which Multipolar played an advisory role. This law seeks to tackle crucial aspects of the problem and to serve as a platform aiding those at risk of homelessness.



The hurdles in accessing housing in Argentina contribute to the complex homelessness issue. Taking Buenos Aires as an example, being one of the country’s most populous cities, people often migrate there from other provinces and countries seeking opportunities. Renting an average house cost between 60% to 70% of the income of an individual with moderate to low earnings. This situation, with its nuanced variations, is observed nationwide. For those experiencing homelessness, the city government provides a subsidy barely covering 40% of the cost of a hotel room, even though such accommodation is currently unavailable.

The street becomes the last resort when familial bonds, institutional support, and public policies fail. Malena recognizes that escaping the streets demands collective effort, prompting her to devise an approach centered on a fresh outlook on the problem. Her approach champions a humane comprehension, striving to reinstate self-esteem and self-assurance. The core objective is to empower individuals to regain their dignity and self-belief over 12 to 18 months, leveraging work as a pivotal tool.



At the onset, Multipolar’s engagement entails tailored and intimate assistance, building the essential trust that underpins the entire recovery journey. In the initial phase, the emphasis lies on unearthing each person’s potential and reigniting their connection with their innate capabilities and aspirations. Malena terms this stage a "trust loan," recognizing that individuals have lost this linkage entirely, necessitating the expertise of the dedicated Multipolar team to reinstate it. Given that 80% of those entering Multipolar have drug-related issues, Malena and her team orchestrated an agreement with drug addiction recovery centers which are state-sponsored therapeutic communities, ensuring preferential entry for individuals referred by Multipolar. This step is pivotal, acting as a prerequisite for their job retention.



After a five-week comprehensive immersion period, consideration is given to potential participation in the Work Training Center. Here, medical assessments are conducted, basic hygiene essentials and clothing are supplied, and ID documents. Given that most individuals lack identification, health certificates, or even disability endorsements (where applicable), the Multipolar team steps in to facilitate the acquisition of these essential documents.



Working on mental well-being is initiated at first connection but lasts all along the way with Multipolar. This entails both individual and group therapy sessions, enabling the exploration of talents and interests, thereby erecting a foundation for a fresh realm of opportunities in their lives. Malena discerns that not everyone necessitates therapy; several individuals can be guided by certified professional coaches. Consequently, a coaching specialization was devised, equipping these experts to effectively and respectfully address the requirements of individuals grappling with extreme poverty. The volunteer coach assists individuals in delineating their goals and formulating an attainable blueprint for transcending homelessness, promoted by the Foundation’s support. Malena’s practicality blends with the goals set by Multipolar users, forging a pragmatic trajectory. These initiatives encompass job training and digital literacy tools while introducing various trades like sewing, artistic sewing, house painting, blacksmithing, digital literacy, and eldercare.



This learning journey finds its continuation at the School of Productive Entrepreneurship, a platform where participants apply their learning through the creation of products and services subsequently marketed to companies supporting products crafted by vulnerable individuals. This learning space guarantees fair remuneration for training, facilitating the exit from homelessness. This 12-month itinerary is fortified by the Multipolar team and 200 volunteer professionals. Malena and team recruit volunteers on a recurring basis through the professional volunteer program for companies and through an agreement that they signed in December 2022 with the Specialization Course in Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of the Faculty of Psychology of the UBA and the coaching organization “Buscá tu Coach.” 38 Multipolar users accessed individual therapy and coaching that resulted in changes such as:completing highschool, facing job interviews, accesing to dental care, among others which are enormous challenges for the recovery path and getting off the street.



The significant efforts of homeless individuals can’t bear fruit without broader societal participation. Companies are key allies in changing society's mentality while contributing by providing qualified human resources that contribute in the follow -up of Multipolar. These actions are developed through their corporate social responsibility programs which facilitate the required commitment and responsibility framework. Volunteers are recruited based on their areas of expertise and must participate in an initial induction and follow-up sessions. In addition, they have access to emotional support if necessary. Among this, companies also participate by incorporating Multipolar users through labor intermediation processes. As an example, in 2023, 15 employees of the Accenture company gave computer classes to participants of the Employment Training Center and other employees participated in the creation of a computer lab at Multipolar.



For a more impactful reach, Malena founded and oversees a network of organizations centered on accompanying homeless individuals, contributing solutions and resources. This collective comprises 36 local entities providing immediate assistance like food and clothing to the homeless. However, they lacked a strategic methodology for a holistic solution, a void that Malena’s expertise addresses. This network facilitated the enhancement of referral protocols, solutions, and operational efficiency, forging a shared vision and culture that underscores the synergy within the network and shared responsibility promoted by Malena. In her perspective, the timing of intervention is pivotal in disrupting the cycle of personal and social neglect perpetuating this issue.



The whole process results in certain individuals securing employment with Multipolar’s job intermediation programs, while others partake in productive cooperatives. Notably, Malena delves into the social economy sector, integrating Multipolar beneficiaries into productive cooperatives, creating mixed groups encompassing cooperative members and individuals transitioning from homelessness. This dynamic enhances productivity and integrates them into the value chain of medium to large enterprises. Malena’s prior interactions with unions, corporations, and governments established an extensive network that allows her to deal with increasing demand generated from partner companies.

Since June 2019, they have integrated 113 individuals into gainful employment.



Amid growing social recognition, Multipolar’s activities shifted during the pandemic. The City of Buenos Aires enlisted its services to manage the district’s largest shelters. Post-isolation, Multipolar remains engaged in shelter operations, having also secured contracts to provide assistance that empowers individuals to overcome homelessness, using the treatment principles integral to Multipolar’s approach. This non-assistance-centered framework underscores work and self-sufficiency. These initiatives now extend to aiding around 8,000 individuals in shelters daily. The most significant impact that Multipolar's intervention produced in the shelters is breaking the welfare paradigm that portrayed most of the people as ‘irrecoverable’ by changing the mindset of the officials in charge. Specifically, Malena and her team established two fundamental changes: within the agreement with the City Government, they established that Multipolar is responsible for the hiring and training of the shelter's technical operators that allowed them to incorporate 42 new staff members in the city shelters, and secondly, they included the concept of "Positive Graduation" that determines when the users of the shelters are ready to be inserted into Multipolar´s personal development program through employment.



In order to extend Multipolar´s reach, Malena carried out a first replica in the City of Gualeguaychú, which reached 100 people who were homeless or at risk of being homeless. This initiative was carried out with Apdena, a territorial organization from Gualeguaychú, that works with a very vulnerable population. The most relevant learnings from the experience focused on helping the team understand the importance of the centrality of users, the focus on employment and the eradication of the welfare perspective, as well as the management of the concept of "Positive Graduation" that inaugurates the enabling journey that characterizes Multipolar .





Starting in 2020, Malena forged collaborations with the federal government, leveraging Multipolar’s expertise to influence governmental social welfare policies for the homeless. Teaming up with the Ministry of Social Inclusion of the National Ministry of Social Development, they reformulated the nation’s inaugural public policy aimed at individuals in street situations. Moreover, this Ministry is poised to assist Multipolar in expanding its model to other social organizations across 10 municipalities. To develop a successful replication, Malena developed a replication protocol that contains the design principles of her methodology curated in the first Gualeguachú replica. Furthermore, in September 2023, the government confirmed its support for Malena’s model by creating a training center from which government officials in the social area and social organizations will be trained to implement the methodology with an initial budget of USD150.000. This advisory work culminated in the new Law 27654, enacted in April 2023, aiding individuals in street situations and those at risk while emphasizing human rights and promoting self-sufficiency through employment. Malena played a central role in changing the perspective of the law's approach, serving with a more nuanced and systemic understanding of the employment problem for homeless people, which offered a limited framework. To this end, Malena participated in several debate meetings for the preparation of the law and the employment component promoted by the Law is based entirely on the work of Multipolar. Multipolar's contributions to the Law consisted of raising awareness among legislators about the importance of providing a support structure for employment, effectively showing, based on Multipolar's experience, that it is not enough to simply generate jobs for this population. They did a remarkable job displaying the common barriers their users face and identifying the necessary supports, which were incorporated into the law. They are also collaborating in advising on implementation. Another contribution from Multipolar was the demand that the Law grant a postal address to people experiencing homelessness and preventing the lack of a fixed address from being an additional barrier to access to employment.



Malena’s participation in the UN Working Group to End Homelessness is noteworthy. Her representation offers the Global South’s perspective, typically underrepresented. This engagement facilitates connections for potential future expansion. Multipolar firmly believes that emerging from homelessness isn’t an isolated endeavor; it demands a society displaying empathy and orchestrating collective responses. The organization Malena established in 2018 lays the crucial groundwork for transforming this belief into a reality.

Malena was raised in a middle-class working family within the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. Her mother worked as a schoolteacher, and her father was a public employee. From a young age, Malena exhibited a strong interest in community engagement. Between the ages of five and nineteen, she actively participated in a Girl Scouts group, where she initially honed her skills as a catalyst for change. Following her schooling, she enrolled in the “Escuela de actoría social juvenil” an initiative founded by five Ashoka Fellows. This experience solidified her commitment to driving initiatives throughout Latin America. Amid the economic crisis of 2001 in Argentina, Malena’s father experienced unemployment, which triggered a profound depression and crisis until his passing several years later. As a teenager, Malena was deeply impacted by this situation, unknowingly setting the stage for her future life purpose.



At twenty years old, Malena embarked on work as a tutor at an institute catering to underprivileged children to support her family. During this tenure, she collaborated with the Industrial Union of the Buenos Aires Province to undergo training as an entrepreneur, with the aim of assisting her students in funding their end-of-year excursion through entrepreneurial projects. This educational initiative achieved remarkable success, prompting the Industrial Union to propose its presentation to the Ministry of Education, which lent its endorsement for implementation across various secondary schools in the province. Malena was entrusted with leading this project. Her association with the Industrial Union persisted, leading her to contribute to the nurturing of young entrepreneurs, ultimately assuming the role of executive director. This trajectory paved the way for the establishment of the Argentine Union of Young Entrepreneurs, an organization she directed for seven years, expanding its reach nationwide.



These professional experiences, interwoven with memories of her father’s unemployment, served as the driving force behind her creation of a program to aid homeless individuals in 2011. Initially pursued during her leisure time, this undertaking saw her delve into the intricacies of the issue, refining her work methodologies. By 2015, the government extended an invitation to Malena to spearhead a project focused on inclusive value chains, involving low-income entrepreneurs from across the country for a two-year span.



In 2019, she made the pivotal decision to depart from her role and fully dedicate herself to Multipolar. These diverse endeavors collectively shaped her overarching vision that no one should endure the hardships her father faced. This journey furnished her with the tools to scale initiatives, initiate entrepreneurial projects, provide training to emerging entrepreneurs, and attain a comprehensive understanding of the realities surrounding homelessness. Malena inherently grasps the critical necessity for a society that recognizes the experiences of these individuals. Coupled with an all-encompassing support network during the arduous and intricate process, she is shaping Multipolar into an interconnected ecosystem that is progressively translating this vision into tangible reality.