Philippines: A second chance for incarcerated youth
The Bahay Pag-asa (“House of Hope”) program removes incarcerated juveniles from adult jails and safeguards them in a caring, residential training facility. These youth receive medical care, counseling, academic support, and recreational support in a setting which allows them opportunities to confront their own deficiencies and build upon strengths.
La Salle International supports the work of Bahay Pag-asa, in Dasmarinas, Philippines, a residential treatment facility for court-adjudicated youth offenders. While ordinarily, these youth would be incarcerated with adults in overcrowded public jails, we provide a safe residential and educational facility for them during the adjudication process.
Each student has their own room and a regular series of educational classes they attend during the week. Time is also afforded for the incarcerated youth to develop their musical talents, to recreate together and to address family issues which may be underlying their incarceration. All students receive the free medical services of the hospital associated with the program. Bahay Pag-asa provides residential programs and training, thus allowing juvenile offenders the opportunity to begin their lives again with marketable skills.
This project is so successful, that a second campus of Bahay Pag-asa is now functioning in Bacolod, Philippines.
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Your contributions provided support services, a quality education, and job training for youth in conflict with the law.