# SOS Infante

> SOS Infante is a nonprofit working to prevent and respond to physical, psychological and sexual violence against children. It runs a donation center in South Florida and delivers care on the ground in Quito, Ecuador and Valera, Venezuela.

- Miami, United States: Partnerships, fundraising and the donation center that supplies the whole operation. Reopening 2026.
- Quito, Ecuador: Our operating base since 2018: prevention, counseling and public campaigns. Running since 2018 · relaunched in 2026.
- Valera, Venezuela: New site: food and medical assistance, plus a school for protective adults. Opening 2026.

## The problem, in numbers
- 532,228: children were confirmed victims of abuse or neglect in the United States in a single year — a rate of 7.2 per 1,000 children. Source: Child Maltreatment report, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
- 1,773: children died from abuse or neglect in that same year in the United States. Source: Child Maltreatment report, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
- 1 in 4: children under five — some 176 million worldwide — lives in a home where their mother is a victim of intimate partner violence. Source: UNICEF, 2020.

## Active programs
- [Protective Adult](https://www.sosinfante.org/en/programs/protective-adult/): A six-session course that teaches parents, teachers and caregivers to spot the warning signs of abuse, respond without re-traumatizing the child, and follow the reporting process to the end.
- [Shungo Heart](https://www.sosinfante.org/en/programs/shungo-heart/): «Shungo» means heart in Kichwa, an Indigenous language of Ecuador — it also stands for tenderness and love. The program delivers integrated care to children living in vulnerable conditions.
- [Todo Posi](https://www.sosinfante.org/en/programs/todo-posi/): A campaign that turns the conversation about violence into an everyday practice of care, built together with the teenagers it speaks to.
- [Art Therapy](https://www.sosinfante.org/en/programs/art-therapy/): Workshops that use performing arts, visual art and music to identify, treat and prevent psychological trauma in children.
- [Child pregnancy: zero tolerance](https://www.sosinfante.org/en/programs/child-pregnancy/): Open data, legal support and newsroom training on pregnancy in girls under 14, which the law treats as what it is: the consequence of sexual violence.

## FAQ
- What is SOS Infante? SOS Infante is a nonprofit that prevents and responds to physical, psychological and sexual violence against children and teenagers. It works with families, schools and communities in Miami (United States), Quito (Ecuador) and Valera (Venezuela).
- Where does SOS Infante work in 2026? In three cities: Miami, Florida, which handles partnerships, fundraising and the donation center; Quito, Ecuador, where the programs and public campaigns run; and Valera, in Trujillo state, Venezuela, a new site for food and medical assistance and protective-adult training.
- Is my donation tax-deductible? Gifts processed through the Florida entity are made to a U.S.-registered nonprofit and receive a deductible receipt. Write to accion@sosinfante.org for the documentation your accountant needs, including the EIN and the acknowledgment letter for gifts over $250.
- How do I donate goods in South Florida? Drop them off at 3800 Inverrary Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33319, Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. For ten boxes or more we pick up anywhere in Broward and Miami-Dade — schedule it on WhatsApp. Companies and schools can request a labeled collection bin and a closing report.
- What should I do if I suspect a child is being abused? If the child is in immediate danger, call 911. In Florida, report to the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873, which is open 24 hours; teachers, coaches and medical staff are mandatory reporters under state law. Then write to accion@sosinfante.org and we will support the family through the process. Never confront the suspected abuser on your own.
- How can I volunteer? Apply on the Volunteer page. We look for psychology, medicine, social work, design, data, translation and logistics profiles. Any role with direct contact with children requires a background check and safeguarding training first.
- What is a protective adult? A protective adult is any grown-up who can recognize the signs of violence against a child, respond without re-traumatizing them, and follow the reporting process through. SOS Infante trains protective adults over six sessions with a 90-day follow-up.
- What does «Shungo» mean? Shungo means heart in Kichwa, an Indigenous language of Ecuador spoken by Andean peoples. It also carries the sense of tenderness and love, and it gives its name to our medical, nutritional and mental health program.
- How much time does volunteering take? It depends on the area. General volunteers give whatever time they have, for one-off activities. Editorial staff give one day a week (8 hours), social media half a day (4 hours), and media roles 16 hours or more remotely. Protective Adult and Shungo Heart ask for two days a week; Art Therapy two days plus one Saturday a month.
- Do I need specific qualifications to volunteer? Protective Adult requires mid to senior experience in teaching, therapy or legal work. Shungo Heart requires professionals in nutrition, health and mental health. Art Therapy requires professional experience in the performing arts. Todo Posi requires none: attitude and energy are enough.
- What paperwork does volunteering involve? After the application and interview, we ask for basic identification and a signed volunteer agreement for the period you commit to. Any direct contact with children also requires a background check and safeguarding training.
- Does volunteering cost anything? We do not require donations or monthly fees. There is a one-time $50 contribution that covers your ID badge, T-shirt and printed materials.