Community Extension Services – History, Objectives, Programs and Services

I. INTRODUCTION/RATIONALE

A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

As a Catholic Educational Center, La Consolacion College –Caloocan imbued the responsibility to develop its constituents for viable service to the people. To practice and realize its faith in a much wider social perspective, the school began to evolve religious activities and services. This aimed to crystallize the social principles of the Bible and the social doctrines of the Church. In the process of implementation, the Christian Neighborhood Community was adopted to effect the realization of intra-school religious activities.

In 1981, a new organizational structure was formed to redirect and set the ground for the thrust of the newly adopted program. Thus, the Mother Rita Barcelo In/Outreach Community Center (MRBIOCC) was created. Its program was focused on the integrated life formation of the school constituents. Such action is evident in its apostolic operation in school and community. Moreover, the broadening social problems enhanced the strengthening of programs for further service to the Poor of Society.

For this new period of struggle, the MRBIOCC continues community building by facilitating and initiating beneficial community projects both in the school and in depressed areas. Likewise, the participation of the privileged sector towards social action and endeavor of the School is very much encouraged.

In June 1994, the MRBIOCC became a foundation, so its new name is Mother Rita Barcelo In and Outreach Community Foundation, Incorporated (MRBIOCFI).

In 2016, due to certain issues with regards to the foundations the Mother Rita Barcelo In/Outreach Community Foundation Inc. was amended by the new Board of Directors headed by Sr. Ma. Lina R. Despojo, OSA and became La Consolacion College Caloocan Community Extension Services Inc. (LCC -CES).

The LCCCES has made alliances with different non-government and government agencies to reach out to Caloocan’s poor by adopting barangays as venues for the school’s outreach programs. Livelihood and feeding programs are only two examples of a noteworthy endeavors of the school.

In the year 2018, the La Consolacion Colege Caloocan Community Extension Services Inc. formerly MRBIOCFI successfully passed the Level 1 Accreditation of its community-based programs and services for children, youth, women, families and communities with a 100% passing rate as granted by the DSWD Standards Bureau.

As the people enter a new period of struggle, the Community Extension Services shall continue to direct the social constituents in community building through facilitation and initiation of community programs and activities both in the school and depressed areas. It too, shall encourage the participation of the partner sectors in social action and endeavors of the school.

The Community Extension Services offered programs and services to arrest the identified needs in the adopted community in order to help individuals, as well as the community to develop itself toward self reliance.

B. NATURE/CHARACTERISTICS

With the thrust of the school which reflects the Congregational Charism and Mission Statement, the La Consolacion College Caloocan Community Extension Services Inc. is in essence a form of apostolate.

It is also a contribution of the School in the congregational thrust for social transformation.

It serves as a link of the school to the larger community.

It is likewise a program of the school that serves the need both of the school constituents and the people in the communities, especially depressed communities.

Being an apostolic program, it has a line-up of support activities and services that develops the Christian Commitment in the service of the poor, deprived, oppressed and exploited.

II. VISION, MISSION, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

VISION

The La Consolacion College Caloocan Community Extension Services Inc., an agency which is an integral part of LCC-C founded on God’s Love is committed to the upliftment of the living condition of the POOR towards the total development of the individual and community.

MISSION

To be an agent of social and religious transformation through the facilitation of social action programs that will involve the participation of the community partners for development.

GOALS

  • To give the school constituents an opportunity to reach out to the less fortunate brothers and sisters.
  • To reduce number of malnourished children.
  • To develop Christian commitment among the school constituents by raising the level of consciousness of the Center’s outreach programs and activities.
  • To initiate, facilitate and develop programs and services in selected depressed communities.
  • To propagate Christian Values and Principles in the context of the beneficiaries’ social condition, by providing venues for faith life reflection and action.
  • To provide opportunities to the marginalized sectors of the community toward self reliance.
  • To provide emergency basic needs to victims of natural calamities.

OBJECTIVES

  • To mobilize school constituents to participate actively in expanding the In Outreach activities and programs of the Extension Services.
  • To draw up and implement programs that is responsive to the needs of the adopted communities.
  • To establish linkages with other agencies for collaboration.
  • To provide educational assistance through scholarship in tie-up with the school as part of their apostolate mission.
  • To enhance and develop awareness and participation of the people into a self reliant and progressive community.
  • To provide skills training to mother beneficiaries in the adopted communities.

III. CORE VALUES

  1. LOVE AND THE ORDER OF LOVE – love, to be true, must respect a hierarchy of goods wherein God alone is to be enjoyed for His sake, oneself and neighbor to be enjoyed for the sake of God.
  2. INTERIORITY – it is attachment to Being itself God who is discovered in the depths of one’s own being.
  3. HUMILITY – related to the truth and being so, holds an importance that is incomparable to other moral virtues.
  4. PURSUIT OF TRUTH – the capacity to understand the world, the self and others in the light of the ultimate Reality, God.
  5. FREEDOM – a gift of God who loves us and loving us wants us to be free.
  6. COMMUNITY – one mind and one heart towards one common goal, of service, unity and peace.
  7. COMMON GOOD – concern for the common good is the criterion by which you can judge how much progress you have made.
  8. HUMBLE AND GENEROUS SERVICE – in the spirit of gratefulness and in recognition that the service owed to God must be rendered to man.
  9. FRIENDSHIP – as beginning, continuing and extending to persons from all walks of life.
  10. PRAYER – is the breath of the soul, the spontaneous expression of his faith, hope and love.

V. AREAS OF COVERAGE

  • Barangay – 8 Interior Julian Felipe was the first adopted community of the school. It became a pilot area for the different projects of the institution, and in 1997, the area had been weaned from the Extension Services, however, technical assistance and consultancy work are still extended to Samahan ng mga Nanay ng Julian Felipe, a People’s Organization organized and registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
  • In 1997, the Extension Services adopted Barangay -18 Libis Espina and Kabulusan – I and Barangay 23 areas and had been weaned and turned-over to the Barangay Officials to continue the programs and services that were started.
  • In 1999, the school has expanded its adopted community to Barangay -8 Sarimburao area, one of the most depressed areas in Barangay-8 Caloocan. After 6 years of implementation of different programs and projects the area had been weaned from the program with organized leaders and volunteers registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as KISAP organization.
  • In year 2006, the school adopted again the community of Barangay -12 located at Zone –I District 2 Blk. 39 Phase 3 F1 Salay – Salay Street Caloocan City.
  • In 2010 –2013, the adopted community of the center was Barangay 9, a small community located just near the school vicinity. The said barangay has a small area which is considered as one of the depressed communities in Caloocan, the area is at Cottage 2A, P. Burgos Street, Caloocan City, and has more or less 300 residents who belong to the poorest of the poor families.
  • In 2014 – Present (2021) – the Extension Services adopted Barangay 17 Acab Street and P. Zamora, Barangay 18, an extension of Libis Espina and Nadurata. These two communities benefitted the Educational Assistance Scholarship Program for elementary pupils. The program is an institutional project of La Consolacion College where children beneficiaries are able to study in this Institution for free. The center sustained its implementation of programs and services to various adopted communities through its partnership with Organizations that are capable of providing resources depending on the needs of its clientele.

VII. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

  1. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – this program is an institutional effort of La Consolacion College constituents because children beneficiaries who belong to the poorest of the poor families are provided with free education. School supplies, uniforms, bags, and books are provided by the outreach center, Teachers and other services are provided by the school administration.
  2. ADVOCACY AND SOCIAL MOBILIZATION – conduct awareness campaign on programs and services to school constituents as well as people in the larger community. Broaden awareness of Parents and communities through information campaign/symposia, seminar and advocacy on the existing laws that protect our children. Conduct Parent Effectiveness Service which concentrates in the development of a family as a basic Social Institution, which promotes pro-life, pro-people and Christ centered, awareness on their duties and responsibilities towards their children.
  3. HEALTH AND NUTRITION – concerned with the promotion of health as means to better quality of Life. Provision of basic medicines to the beneficiaries who could not afford to buy medicines for the sick family member/s. Provision of nutrition and health care education, medical and dental services to children and adult beneficiaries in coordination with LCC-C Family Council and Alumni Association.
  4. SKILLS ENHANCEMENT & LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM – directed towards improving the standard of living by enhancing technical skills of and mothers, through beauty care, sewing, baking, paper bag making, cooking and food processing which will make them become productive and self-reliant individuals and families. It also provides an opportunity for income generating project through baking.
  5. OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES
  • FEEDING PROGRAM – this aims to reduce the incidents of malnutrition among children in the adopted communities of the Extension Services. This program caters to children ages 3-7 years old classified as severely underweight and underweight. This program is being implemented with the help and support of various non government organizations whose aim is to eradicate or lessen malnutrition among children who are deprived of good nutrition.
  • SCHOOL CLUB OUTREACH – this aims to facilitate and involve the G.S., H. S. College students and Personnel to deepen their faith life experience with the different outreach activities of the Extension Services Students and Personnel facilitated for Charism Journey to the adopted communities, exposure visits/apostolate of presence to different hospitals, Institutions for children, youth, and elderly and other orphanages.
  • CATECHISM – this aims to facilitate the teaching of catechism to the children in the adopted communities. This activity prepares them to face the challenges of the present situation with the right values and insight, develop better understanding, greater feeling of belonging, for better participation and involvement in religious activities. Likewise, this program encourage involvement and participation of H.S students the Catechetical Club members as facilitators with the utilization of available resources coordinated with voluntary efforts and commitment of the members to come up with beneficial and essential strategies to properly served the adopted children.
  • BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY – concerned with the spiritual formation of a Christian person who is called to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. It aims to help the parent beneficiaries to continuously grow in the knowledge of the word of God, enhances their capacity for reflection, creating new insights and share their faith, life experiences related to the gospel message.
  • TUTORIAL PROGRAM – aims to mobilize the H.S. and College Students to participate actively as facilitators/mentors in the tutorial sessions conducted for slow learner beneficiaries of the EAP Program. This activity helps the beneficiaries cope up with their academic problems in school specifically with the three subjects: English, Math and Science.
  • RELIEF ASSISTANCE – aims to provide basic assistance to beneficiaries from the adopted communities, walk-in clients, and victims of natural and man- made calamities.
  • REFERRALS – aims to link and help the beneficiary and other walk-in clients to a resource that is beyond the capacity of the agency. Building and sustaining linkages with the Government Organizations, NGO’s and private sectors that facilitates the effective delivery of services to clientele.