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LGW

About Us

Established in the USA since 1986, the Legion of Good Will (LGW) is a 501(c) 3 Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational and social assistance programs for economically disadvantaged communities. The LGW aims to combat poverty and its consequences by offering better opportunities through supplementary education, nutrition, health services, and emergency relief campaigns.

In New York, the organization also maintains a liaison office with the United Nations, where it holds general consultative status with the UN/Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is affiliated with the United Nations through its Department of Global Communications (DGC) for more than two decades.

About the Legion of Good Will

The LGW is in the process of building their first Early Learning Center at Newark, New Jersey.
The LGW is in the process of building their first Early Learning Center at Newark, New Jersey.
LGW delivers relief items and Provides first-aid assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.
LGW delivers relief items and Provides first-aid assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.
The Legião da Boa Vontade was the first Brazilian NGO with General Consultative Status at the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council.
The Legião da Boa Vontade was the first Brazilian NGO with General Consultative Status at the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council.(Photo:UN Photo/Mark Garten)
LGW volunteers teach students the importance of nature conservation through the Good Will Students for Peace educational program. 
LGW volunteers teach students the importance of nature conservation through the Good Will Students for Peace educational program. (Photo:LGW Staff)
Through our Blue Hearts Ambassadors program, volunteers travel to Brazil help the LBV-Brazil provide critical assistance to those in need, such as schools, community centers, and elderly homes operated by the organization. 
Through our Blue Hearts Ambassadors program, volunteers travel to Brazil help the LBV-Brazil provide critical assistance to those in need, such as schools, community centers, and elderly homes operated by the organization. (Photo:LGW Staff)
University students engage in a cultural and humanitarian trip to Brazil through our Blue Hearts Ambassadors program. 
University students engage in a cultural and humanitarian trip to Brazil through our Blue Hearts Ambassadors program. (Photo:LGW Staff)
A child recieves a new blanket at our Charity Round program. 
A child recieves a new blanket at our Charity Round program. (Photo:LGW Staff)
José de Paiva Netto, president of the Legion of Good Will since 1979. 
José de Paiva Netto, president of the Legion of Good Will since 1979. (Photo:João Periotto)
Care packages are filled with essential baby items, such as: diapers, clothes, wipes, baby lotion & shampoo, bottles, nursing items, formula for the mothers who cannot breastfeed, and informational pamphlets on baby milestones. These were handed out to mothers in need.
Care packages are filled with essential baby items, such as: diapers, clothes, wipes, baby lotion & shampoo, bottles, nursing items, formula for the mothers who cannot breastfeed, and informational pamphlets on baby milestones. These were handed out to mothers in need.(Photo:LGW Staff)
LGW helps mothers confidently welcome their babies through the support of the Baby Citizen Program.
LGW helps mothers confidently welcome their babies through the support of the Baby Citizen Program.(Photo:LGW Staff)
The LGW offers free ENCCEJA preparatory courses for Brazilians who wish to recieve Their high school equivalency dimploma.
The LGW offers free ENCCEJA preparatory courses for Brazilians who wish to recieve Their high school equivalency dimploma.(Photo:LGW Staff)
The children from Hawkin Street School all embrace the Christmas spirit with their care packages.
The children from Hawkin Street School all embrace the Christmas spirit with their care packages.(Photo:LGW Staff)
LGW volunteers preparing the supplies que will be Given to the Children During the Backpacks for a Bright Future event. 
LGW volunteers preparing the supplies que will be Given to the Children During the Backpacks for a Bright Future event. (Photo:LGW Staff)
The family recieving Their holiday presents from the LGW.
The family recieving Their holiday presents from the LGW.(Photo:LGW Staff)
LGW volunteers make a world of a difference and by preparing care packages.
LGW volunteers make a world of a difference and by preparing care packages.(Photo:LGW Staff)
LGW's Everlasting Christmas event held at the Oliver Street School in Newark, New Jersey. 
LGW's Everlasting Christmas event held at the Oliver Street School in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo:LGW Staff)
These girls are showing off Their new backpacks at the Oliver Street Elementary School in Newark. 
These girls are showing off Their new backpacks at the Oliver Street Elementary School in Newark. (Photo:LGW Staff)
The smiling girl recevies her new backpack at our Backpacks for a Bright Future event held at the YMCA in Newark. 
The smiling girl recevies her new backpack at our Backpacks for a Bright Future event held at the YMCA in Newark. (Photo:LGW Staff)
Students at the Lincoln Avenue School in Orange, New Jersey receive school supplies to start the school year through the LGW's Backpacks for a Bright Future campaign. 
Students at the Lincoln Avenue School in Orange, New Jersey receive school supplies to start the school year through the LGW's Backpacks for a Bright Future campaign. (Photo:Sâmara Malaman)

Mission

To promote Social, Solidary, and Sustainable Development, Education, Culture, Art, and Sports with Ecumenical Spirituality, so there may be Socio-environmental Awareness, Food, Security, Health, and Work for everyone, in the awakening of the Global Citizen.  

Vision

To be a model of human and social development and of education with Ecumenical Spirituality.

Values

“Love one another, as I have loved you. Only by this shall all of you be recognized as my disciples.” (The Gospel of Jesus according to John 13:34 and 35)

  • Ecumenism
  • Ethics
  • Fraternity
  • Respect
  • Solidarity
  • Transparency

History

The Legion of Good Will was founded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on January 1, 1950 (World Peace Day) by poet and radio broadcaster Alziro Zarur. In the 1980s, Zarur was succeeded by the current president, journalist, radio broadcaster, and writer José de Paiva Netto. Paiva Netto expanded the Organization’s ideals from Brazil to many countries around the world. In the USA, the Legion of Good Will was established in the State of New York on October 30, 1986.

José de Paiva Netto expanded the educational and humanitarian mission of the LGW by opening model schools and community centers for social assistance. In these units, the organization applies its own pedagogical proposal, comprised of the Pedagogy of Affection and the Ecumenical Citizen Pedagogy. For this reason, the Legion of Good Will is considered a reference in Education with Ecumenical Spirituality.

This innovative approach seeks to transform individuals’ social circumstances by helping them overcome various vulnerabilities, whilst promoting their full citizenship and instilling a sense of being agents of solidarity. The LGW works in partnership with  various sectors of society, such as governments, socially and environmentally responsible companies, international entities, schools, community associations, and other civil society organizations.

For over six decades, the Legion of Good Will (LGW) has been creating and fostering programs and projects of social inclusion and sustainable development in support of communities at risk. One of the largest humanitarian movements on the planet, the LGW was the first civil society organization from Brazil to obtain the general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The success of the organization’s work relies on the generosity of people like you, whose support over the years has proven indispensable to our ongoing delivery of humanitarian services. Your support is critical to perpetuate our mission of peace, love, and goodwill.