University opens home for abused boys

Monday, May 2, 2011

SAINT Louis University (SLU) created a shelter for the neglected and abused boys to address the current need of a home for male victims of all forms of abuse in the region.

The center, called the Saint Louis University Sunflower Centennial Halfway Home, will serve as a temporary shelter for at least 20 boys aged five to 17 years old.

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Director of the center Fr. Geraldo Costa said the decision came after learning that the existing institutions in the region only cater for girls, and that it is also difficult for other boys, especially the abused ones, to mix in existing government homes for children in conflict with the law.

As a temporary shelter, Costa said after the children are referred to them by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, they will provide a home with social workers and house parents to take care of all the needs of the children during their stay.

The assistance to be extended is a temporary residence where they will be guided through their period of healing and recovery.

Fr. Costa said the university has pooled more than P7 million for the facility, which houses rooms for the children, and for the provision of psychotherapeutic treatment for abandoned and abused children.

In addition to psychotherapeutic sessions, they will also receive basic home-based care such as shelter, food, clothing, medical services, tutorials, formal and non-formal education, spiritual formation, recreational activities, and expressive art programs.

Their families will also undergo counseling and therapy, parenting enhancement seminars and workshops, legal consultation and follow-up outreach activities.

Among those who graced Thursday's inauguration of the facility were Bishop Carlito Cenzon, who blessed the facility, Department of Social Welfare and Development standards unit head Arsenia Tejada, and SLU president Fr. Jesse Hechanova.

Costa added the home also seeks financial and material contributions from various patrons to be able to sustain its services and serve more abuse and abandoned children.

For inquiries and support, you may e-mail: sluhalfwayhome @yahoo.com or call (63)(074) 446-5664. (JM Agreda)