This study sought to describe Porto Alegre's service institutions to street children and adolescents based on written documents produced by these institutions and the answers to a which are very important developmental contexts for this population. The results showed that there are some contradictions between the documents and institutional reality. This is due, mainly, to the fact that the documents did not follow-up on institutional changes, usually becoming obsolete. It is important to emphasize the relevance of the documental analysis, since this enables to understand a series of values and ideologies assumed by the institutions. Also, institutional aspects expressed in the documents are historically relevant, allowing for a better comprehension of the institutions, how they organize themselves to work with issues about street children and adolescents.
service institutions; street children and adolescents; institutional documents
