This is a research of an institution which provides assistance to homeless children which was chosen because it got the children's attention and took them out of the marginality. The research aims at identifying the elements that are mainly responsible for the adherence and maintenance of the clientele to the institution project. The data was complied by means of a sociometric test of the institution and by individual interviews with their members. The analysis of the data was based on the Sociometric Theory and the Systemic Theory contributions. The relevant aspects for an effective work with homeless children were: a) sociometric choice as a selection criteria; b) affinity and integration among the directors of the institution; c) consonance between the institution offering and the children demand "to live in a family environment"; d) presence of a male figure with positive personality and strong authority identified as "the father".
Homeless children; sociometric study; institution
