From the beginning of his mission Fr. Louis Guanella, the founder of the Guanellian Family surrounded himself with collaborators: Sisters, Priests, Religious Brothers and Lay People. They were a diverse group of people in educational level and social background, but united by a firm will of partaking in projects of charity of the Founder. Moved solely by a great love of God and neighbor, together
with him they assisted those forgotten by society and outcast from the mainstream of life. Little by little the small group of humble and courageous men and women who followed Fr. Guanella increased to become a large family today. They are present on four continents, committed to strive with all their strength for the full promotion of all persons and social groups struck by multiple forms of poverty, of neglect and adversity. 1
The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence arrived in the Philippines April 20, 1993. The following year October 1994, they opened a house at #22 Labrador St. The congregations’ charism is to be signs of the Providential love and care of the Heavenly Father. Its apostolate is to work for Persons with Disabilities, Elderly and poor children. A work of charity for the least in life of the society. At the beginning since they didn’t have yet the Centers, they used to do their work in the Multi-purpose Hall/Chapel in the Depressed Area, Republic Ave. Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City. Just to gather the Special Kids and poor preschool children for socialization and teaching them the Basic Skills in reading, writing and self-help skills, (a non-formal education). For the works with the seniors the sisters used to go to Golden Acres everyday, early in the morning to give bath and help in the feeding. Later on when the house at #7 Sotto BF Homes, Quezon City was bought, the garage of that house was extended and was used as Multi-Purpose Hall for the Special Kids who came everyday and elderly every second Saturday of the Month. We also utilized the backyard /garden area for their activities. Year 2004 the sisters decided to have a daily program also for the seniors. The space became too small and everything done there. Early of Year 2007, Mo. Giustina Valicente , the then Mo. General came to visit and found out that the Program was too mixed, Seniors and Special Kids together. Besides, to have a Center inside the subdivision, only limited number of clients can be accepted (Law of the Home Owners Association). So she suggested buying a separate Center, 2006 for preschool children at Don Antonio Heights, Quezon City and 2007 for the Special Kids at #10 Lilac St. West Fairview, Quezon City. Late 2007, the sisters moved to 10 Lilac St. West Fairview and opened the Sacred Heart Center for the Persons with Special Needs. They also brought with them the Seniors because at that time they were thinking of renovating the #7 Sotto House for the elderly but later on decided to sell that house. Year 2013 the Seniors Group was transferred to Holy Family Center #40 Holy Spirit Drive, Don Antonio Heights, Quezon City. The Sacred Heart Center is a Day Program for Persons with Disabilities (a community based service) offering them basically socialization but integrated the developmental training in communication skills, numeracy/number skills, music and arts, self-help skills/Daily Life Skills and vocational (all Non Formal Education). We also give rehabilitation such as Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Other than these they also have sports fest once a year and everyday Catechesis. From time to time we bring them to field trips and outings. As much as possible we try our best to address both their Human and Spiritual Needs. As our founder used to say, “Give them bread and paradise”. Before we definitively start our Program we conducted a survey at the depressed areas belonging to the Mabuting Pastol Parish at that time, Areas 1-6 of Republic Ave., Barangay Holy Spirit. 645 family respondents, 137 people were with disabilities, sickness and other cases. During the time of our survey we found out that most of the families hid their children with disabilities. They are just inside the house no chance to socialize. They also lack care. For this reason the sisters felt the need to really open a Center for them wherein they could come everyday and feel love and accepted. Vision/Mission and Goals/Objective of the Agency
Vision: We envision a family, in which people with disabilities are valued, cared, loved, accepted and provide them opportunity to lead full and productive lives. Mission: Provide a safe environment wherein persons with disabilities feel at home, learn to relate with others, develop their giftedness, achieve highest level of independence and know that there is God who loves, cares and provides for them. Goals of the Agency:
The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence-Sacred Heart Center is committed to creating an environment where persons with disabilities may experience love, feel safe and supported in striving their best. To carry out our mission:
1. We hired staffs with a heart for persons with disabilities.
2. Try our best to provide good facilities.
3. Achieve and maintain financial responsibilities.
4. Staffs are expected to avoid illegal, dishonest or unethical conduct.
5. Provide programs for adults and children with developmental disabilities as well as those with physical disabilities.
6. Give formation to our staffs regarding the spirituality and charism of the congregation of the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence and encourage them to attend seminars to update their skills/ knowledge in handling Persons with Disabilities.
7. Promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
8. Comply with all the requirements from the Department of Social Works and Development. Objectives of the Agency
1. To awaken the consciousness of people in the areas of our apostolate and the community where we are, especially those families who have persons with disabilities of the important existence of these so called “Special People” that they may not be isolated, neglected and deprived of opportunities for growth but be accepted for what they are, persons with dignity, children of God worthy of human respect and deserving of special love, care and attention.
2. To inspire and encourage people especially the family of persons with disabilities and the community at large to have an active participation in the promotion of the human persons and dignity of special people and help nurture in them their deeper commitment to cooperate and be totally involved in responding to their needs.
3. To provide the special people with a conducive environment and learning opportunities that will help them develop their self-confidence and enable them to relate with others and become self-reliant and happier members of our society.
4. To foster growth in faith, human and Christian values to our Special People and their family, to our staffs, volunteers and benefactors that may lead them to an increase of love for God and for one another especially those who have less in life. Core Values
Trust in God’s Providence: God is a loving and provident Father who provides for all the needs of his children. Respect for human life: Every person is created in God’s image and likeness. Preferential option of the poor: The least fortunate brethren should be given extra care and love. Family spirit: All people; rich and poor are all members of God’s family. III.Clientele/Beneficiaries
Sacred Heart Center provides equal opportunity for all Persons with disabilities and does not discriminate against anyone regardless of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation and disability. Persons with disabilities, children and adult, with special preference to the poor who need socialization and learning, love, care and attention, regular stimulation and supervision namely:
1. Persons with developmental disabilities – (autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, mental retardation) and those with physical disabilities.
2. Patients with stroke who need physical therapy.
