Dorcas House: Sheltering children
Dorcas House
The name "Dorcas" was taken from a Biblical character in Acts 9:36, a woman disciple who ministered to the poor and the needy
DORCAS House is a temporary shelter for abandoned, neglected, abused and welfare dependent children ages 0 to 12 years. It is totally supported by Hope Ministries Inc.
The facility provides various services such as: social, physical care, borne life services, health and safety, spiritual, discipline, psychosocial, emotional care and education, all of which are geared towards the total development of the child.
The name "Dorcas" was taken from a Biblical character in Acts 9:36, a woman disciple who ministered to the poor and the needy. She made coats and garments, as well as providing food and comfort to those who were in need --- all summed up as "deeds of good work."
Following her example, the Dorcas House was founded to provide assistance in supplying the needs of children who have either been abandoned, neglected, abused or severely underprivileged. Its services are intended directly to help these disadvantaged children.
Nelfie Pedregosa, social worker
The agency was organized on 2000 and was on its full operation on January 2001. It can accommodate 23 to 24 children (10 boys, 10 females and four babies). Dorcas House accepts clients who are covered by Region 6.
At present, Dorcas House has seven rooms, which include the nursery, girls and boys rooms, medical staff, operations staff, social worker's and the isolation room if ever there are children who are sick.
A new building is being improved to provide accommodation to Dorcas House's guests like interns.
According to Nelphe Joy Pedregosa, social worker, the cases are being referred by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
She said that the children's leisure time includes play, watching television and quarterly strolls outside of the house. Every morning, those aging two to six years old have an informal class which includes storytelling and singing.
Meanwhile, Hope Ministries Inc. has five programs. These are the supplemental feeding, day care, health and medical assistance, relief and emergency assistance and Dorcas House. These programs and services are implemented in three target areas in selected villages in the province of Iloilo, Antique and Negros. Each target area has different programs being implemented, depending on the needs of the clients and the availability of funds.
Dorcas House can be reached through PO Box 387, Iloilo City, telephone (033) 5235228 or newsom_don@yahoo.com.
The contact persons are Rev. Donald Ray Newsom director; Fregilita Palmes, administrator and Nelphe Joy Pedregosa, social worker for Dorcas House. (With reports from Kathy M. Villalon)