J519 Center for Change
Philippines, Southeast Asia
The Situation
Project J519 works in partnership with Leyte-Samar Center For Change Foundation Inc. in Burauen, Leyte, Philippines. It is a holistic care development project whose primary aim is improving the lives and future opportunities of street children and other “at risk” children referred by government channels. As at October 2019 the centre was accredited by Department of Social Welfare and Development Philippines (DSWD) at level 2 (5 years accreditation) for “alternative family care”. Wherever possible children are reintegrated back into the greater Filipino community, as soon as both child and family are ready.
This model creates a stable alternative family environment with enrolment in the project’s private school which especially caters for children who have not been privileged to attend school, or who have dropped out of the large public school system. The Department of Education has given full recognition to the elementary school which is also open to the greater community. When children reach high school level they are enrolled in our local government school and then either proceed to skills training or College.
Disaster Risk Reduction is also a priority of Center For Change, and a Community Evacuation Centre has been built to give shelter in time of typhoons to the greater community.
The Objectives
- Provide quality alternative family care for at-risk children.
- Improve education opportunities by offering sponsorships for school education and university.
- Increase community development and engagement via community projects at the the Burauen District Jail and other schools and government sectors, improving attitudes, behaviours and providing support.
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