House Blessing

Ate Kristel , Ate Mhel & our boys

For this year we opened our agency for Social Work FI students. This is part of networking , commitment and advocacy to social service. The FI 1 will last until October. The students we accomodated for this program are Kristel M. Abache & Melanie L. Balute both of them are 4th year Social Work students of Bicol University College of Social Sciences & Philosophy.

Awarding of the Certificate of Accreditation

We have received once again our renewed CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION, meaning the next 3 years will be a great challenge for all of us to maintain or better, to improve more the quality of service to the boys under our custody. It's been the 3rd renewal of our accreditation to DSWD since our operation started in 1998 as a RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY.

Our accreditation is in compliance with the provision of Section 23,Republic Act 4373 " An act to regulate the Practice of Social Work and the Operation of Social Work Agencies in the Philippines and for Other Purposes" This certificate is valid for 3 years from JMune 27, 2008 to June 26, 2011, unless revoked before expiration (i'm pretty sure it will not happen). The certificate was signed by the undersecretary for Policy and Programs of the DSWD Central Office Hon. ALICIA BALA

The certificate was handed by the chief of the Techical Assistance Division of the DSWD Regional Office-V Mrs. BETH MOLAER to our energetic director Fr. JAVIER P. SAN JOSE, CRS during the ABSNET meeting today, July 23, 2008 at the 2nd F. Sorsogon Janes Fastfood.

Our gratitude for contiously supporting and trusting our institution to carry on the service to the least ones.

A day with Foster Parents, Benefactors & Friends of St Jerome Emiliani

Friends of St. Jerome

July 20, 2008 was the day were friends of Casa Miani were gathered once again, the informal meeting was started around 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon it was spearheaded by Fr. Joseph Don Castro being designated as the coordinator of the program. A lot of them came, Ate Maricel Forcadela and son ran-ran, Tita Mila Bermillo, Ate Gina Bonos, Kuya Lem & Ate Tess Mendiola, of course Tita Inday and our deares Lola Honey (who tried to be with us) the beautious Ate Loidz Dealca along with her was Almie Dealca, the generous couple Dr. Rochello & Ate Tess Gonzalgo, our dearest Ate Ling Carpio, Ms. Myra Relativo, Mrs Erlinda Rañola and Mr. Ryan Remolacio.

Fr. Javier was formally introduced to the group as the new director of Casa Miani. He gave a brief talk about the incoming activities in celebration of the Somascan Congregation on its 500 years of existence. He also appreciated,emphasized and highlighted the importance of the role of the friends of St. Jerome as partners of rendering service to the needy children and youth. Fr. Javs asked them also to help us to increase numbers of people who could pledge and extend financial support to our programs for the benefit of the children under our custody. Above all, the community sincerely told our friends that every 27th day of the month and during saturdays, especial prayers and masses are intently offered to them in return to their undending frienship, concern and care to our dear boys.

St. Jerome Emiliani ' Father of the Orphans & Needy Youth"

San Geronimo Emiliani was born in Venice, Italy in 1486. At a very young age he took up a military and political career in the “Serenissima” Republic of Venice.

At the Age of 25 he was assigned by the senate to defend the castle of Quero. Eventually, this castle was captured by enemy German Troops in 1511 and Jerome was held captive in the castle tower.
His imprisonment lasted for a month. During this time Jerome reflected on his past life. His dreams of glory were shattered and he felt that death was close. Feeling totally abandoned, he turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary, venerated by the title of Great Madonna at the shrine of Treviso. With a humble heart he promised he would change his life if he were spared.

The Virgin Mary heard his prayers. A woman clothed in white appeared to him and gave him the keys to unlock his chains and the doors of the prison.

Upon his return to Venice, Jerome began his profound spiritual transformation through prayer, mortification, charitable deeds, and listening to the words of God. He often repeated this prayer before the crucifix: “Help me, O Lord, and I will be yours!”

Jerome gave up his riches for the poor. By day he cured the sick, by night he buried the dead. He redeemed prostitutes, and was the first to teach catechism by means of question and answer.

He sheltered orphans and the abandoned children. He gave them an upbringing method that is valid until today.
He carried out his apostolic ministry in many towns of Northern Italy such as Venice, Brescia, Bersaglio, Bergamo, Milan, Como, Pavia and many others.
In a small village of Somasca, like-minded friends who wished to devote their lives in the service of the poor and needy youth joined Jerome. So Jerome founded the “Company of the Servants of the Poor”, which later on became the congregation of the Somascan Fathers.

San Geronimo Emiliani Died on the 8th of February 1573. His final words were: “Jesus! Mary!
In 1767, Pope Clement XII proclaimed Jerome of Saint, and in 1928, Pope Pius XI presented him to the whole church as Patron of Orphans and Needy Youth.

The extraordinary example of St. Jerome, a lay man and a leader of lay men, is still an inspiration to all Christians today. As Pope John Paul II wrote: “Jerome helps them to understand the word of Christ more deeply, who identified himself with the least of his brothers, and to courageously aid those who are in need, especially the neglected and disadvantaged youth.

An open Letter to the Readers

July 15, 2008

Dear Readers,

Warm Greetings!

Casa Miani Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization with the goal of catering services to male children between 7-16 years old, who are abandoned, neglected, dependent and orphans. It is located at 17th St. OLV-Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Philippines. It is accredited & licensed by the Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD) and had been a recipient in 2002 as one of the best Non-Government Organization in Bicol Region.

Our institution is a residential facility and has a maximum capacity to accommodate 56 children. But for this year, we only accommodated 45 boys. We solely shoulder the basic needs of the boys it includes education, clothing, foods, medical & dental services.

The center's funding comes primarily from private gifts, donations and minimal amount raised through our Income Generating Project (IGP) e.g. t-shirt printing, novelty item making (candle holder, wall décor & paintings etc.) and wood furniture. However, because of the unending increases of the basic commodities we are experiencing financial difficulty in sustaining the daily maintenance of our clients thus, we are raising fund and asking pledges to further serve the less fortunate children in our region.

With this, we are asking your support for this purpose. We hope we can count on you for a generous donation of any amount you can provide and it will be greatly appreciated.
We thank you for your time and consideration of this request. We look forward to whatever support you give us.

Thank you for your consideration and generosity.


Rev. Fr. JAVIER P.SAN JOSE. CRS
Director



How you can help CASA MIANI BOYS

YES , I want to help needy casa miani boys today

I want to become a regular supporter of the CASA MIANI BOYS (monthly pledge)

Please find attached S_______as my first monthly contribution as a friend of CASA MIANI

I can’t make a long term commitment now, so please find attached my single donation of S_______ to help the boys of CASA MIANI


For further information feel free to contact us.
Cp # (+63) 0919-4304290/ (+63)0906- 3004872
(+63) 056-211-2705

Or you may deposit on our bank account

PESO Bank Account Name
CASA MIANI FOUNDATION
Account Name
8903-0248-53
Bank Name
BPI


$ Bank Account Name
Fr. JAVIER P. SAN JOSE/Fr. JOHN F. VALENZUELA
Bank Account Number
8904-0051-19
Bank Name
BPI

For further information feel free to contact us.
Cp # (+63) 0906-3004872 / (+63)0919-4304290
(+63) 056-211-2705
Or you may e-mail at casamiani@yahoo.com.

PLEASE RETURN/MAIL / e-mail THIS FORM TO

CASA MIANI Somascan fathers Foundation Inc.
17th St. OLV-Pangpang, Sorsogon City 4700
PHILIPPINES


Donors Name_____________________________________
Address:__________________________________________
E-mail____________________________________________
Amount___________________________________________

Income Genrating Projccts of our boys

T-shirt printing


Hog raising


vegetable gardening


Novelty & decorative making


Paintings & rosary making


Ice candy making


Carpentry & furnitures

Our Tribute to FR. LUIGI BRENNA

Who will not miss our dearest Fr. Luigi Brenna who had been part of CASA MIANI " Augusta & Piera" for almost 10 years being the director, father for all of us, a friend to everybody even to the small children in the community and most of all a dedicated advocate of children's rights....

The scenario of not having him anymore is a feeling of loss to those he was working with in struggling for the same cause in the region and especially to our dearest children. We’ve been missing how he was reacting when things weren’t in the proper place as it should be or if there is a something that made him feel angry & upset., you could hear him saying in a loud voice Italian accent of “ CRIBIU”… the most unforgettable and famous expression of Fr. Luigi which oftentimes imitated by our boys, especially the younger ones. And who will not remember his happy face, the smiles and the rounded eyes and the accommodating Fr. Luigi ? Pretty sure, nobody will ever forget him..

Fr. Luigi is a mere example of a “super father” not because he had been working for children for more than 35 years of his life but because of how he is giving a especial attention, dedication and care to each of our boys both in a subjective and objective ways of dealing with them. I also remembers well how is instilling to all of us, the essence of respect to the people around us especially to the children, we are serving.

We and everybody knows him being a good hearted person and it isn’t enough to mention all about it. The most important part of it, is to continously practice his legacy in serving the least ones and to keep him in our hearts…

YOU WILL BE MISSED FR.

these are the pictures taken during the "despidida" for Fr. Luigi last April 26, 2008

class pictures
With some of our boys

with Fr. Joseph Don Castro

with me & my son Brent (calling him lolo Fadey)

With Casa Miani beauties, Arianne,Manang Igle, Manang Nemia, Teacher Jovie & Ako

Dance Numbers

Organizational Structure

Rev. Fr. JAVIER P.SAN JOSE, CRS
Director

He is the legitimate representative of Casa Miani towards different agencies.

He is the one liable in every respect.

· Presides admission meetings
· Authorized intakes
· Approves the individual treatment plan
· Supervises the implementation of individual treatment plan
· Calls and presides revision meetings
· Calls and presides annual evaluation meetings
· Coordinates and approves the activity of Casa Miani’s Social Worker (reports, family visits, counseling, etc….)
· Ratifies the termination of treatment plan and the dismissal of the boys
· Hires and discharges personnel
· Coordinates and legitimizes all the financial activities, such as donations, fund raising, expenses, etc…

RELIGIOUS STAFF/EDUCATIVE TEAM

Rev. Fr. JOHN F. VALENZUELA, CRS

Rev. Fr. JOSEPH DON CASTRO, CRS

Bro. ANASTACIO E. LLANTOS,CRS

Bro. JOSEPH MIGUEL MALLARI,CRS

EDUCATIVE PERSONNEL
is made up by all the people working with and for our boys, each according to his professional qualifications and responsibilities.

Educator or Child Care Worker or House Parent:

· He lives and shares everything with the boys
· Supervises and leads daily and social activities
· Helps the boys to carry on their duties and school home works
· Keeps contacts with teachers and follows the boys in their achievement n school settings
· Participates to admission, revision and evaluation meetings
· Teaches hygiene skills to the boys and care about their general health
· Carries on a steady human, religious, moral formationLeads daily group meetings with the boys, evaluating and discussing their behavior and setting short goals

REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER

MARIA CRISELDA DESPI-GOINGO, RSW

Social Worker/Educative Team Member

is the link between the director and referring agencies, families and DSWD

· Participates to admission, revision and evaluation meetings
· Handles case management
· Elaborates and updates the individual treatment plan, previously discussed and agreed upon
· Keeps minutes of all meetings
· Establishes a personal relationship with the boys through individual colloquies and group workshops
· Prepares reports to be submitted to DSWD and different agencies
· Handles family visitations or foster parents placement, under the direct supervision of the director

Volunteer Medical Doctors , Dentists and Specialists

are external personnel to whom the educative team refers in case some of the boys need a specific evaluation or support

Support Families
for the boys, who don’t have any family liaison, or for those who, are in need of a temporary removal from their natural families, our program makes available the service of a selected group of families, called “Support Families” the support families will provide the boys with a chance to experience a “normal family life” during periods of vacation.

AUXILLIARY PERSONNEL

Mrs. Nemia Orca ( Cook),Mrs. Egliceria Malazarte ( Laundry) Mr. Francisco Bron Maintenace/household helper & Mrs. Marilou Lagamayo (Part time cook & Laundry)

is under the authority of the director and cooperates
in managing the activities such as kitchen, laundry, etc..

Casa Miani, its program & services..

Casa Miani is a home for neglected, orphaned, abandoned and abused children, without serious physical or psychological handicaps, who, because of pitiful circumstances, are deprived of physical, moral and educational cares and so hindered in their complete and harmonious development.

CASA MIANI was made possible through the generosity of two persons: * the late Msgr. Arnulfo Arcilla, Bishop Emeritus of Sorsogon, who, sometimes in 1988, donated a parcel of land for this purpose and for a school, and Mr. Giovanni Arvedi (and Mrs.), an alumnus of the Somascan Fathers Collegio Gallio of Como (Italy) who, in line with the teaching of his Alma Mater, has always been sensitive to the needs of the poor by helping the Somascan Institutions, and totally funded the construction of Casa Miani.

Now the christian support of the many sponsors and benefactors and the help of the committed volunteers are enabling the Somascan Fathers to take care in Casa Miani of as many children and for as long it is needed. Sponsors and benefactors are part of the association of “Friends of Casa Miani”, open to all who are willing to cooperate in this enormous but so needed Christian task and share in the spirit of St. Jerome Emiliani, Father of the Orphans and Universal Patron of the Needy Youth.

Ø April 1, 1996 the activity began with the first intake. For the end of the year the number of boys grew up to 26.

Ø February 15, 1997 was the official opening of Casa Miani.

Ø August 26, 1999 Casa Miani has been officially licensed by DSWD.

Ø August 27, 2001 received the accreditation certificate from DSWD.

Ø May 25, 2002 given the GAPAS Award for best NGO in Region V working for the disadvantaged children.

The maximum number the foundation can accommodate is 56 boys

According to the example set by St. Jerome Emiliani (1486-1537), who chose to live with the poor and dedicated himself completely to the abandoned children, the Somascan Fathers of Casa Miani Foundation, moved by the increasing number of need children (school drop outs, beggars, abandoned, poor) developed a plan of social intervention aimed to:

· Promote a human, moral, spiritual growth
· Form balanced personalities
· Prepare the boys to be reintegrated in our society with an
Educational attainment and or with a work or profession

VISION-MISSION-OBJECTIVES

a) Vision:

A society where the least ones are accepted, respected and well integrated and work to “restore the Christian people to the sanctity of life that was characteristic of the time of the apostles”. (St. Jerome prayer)

b) Mission:

To promote the physical health of the needy children, developing their moral, human, Christian growth in order to prepare them to face life in peace with themselves and with the social world.

c) Main Goal:

To provide minors with a serene environment, with enhancing means and people, able to lead them towards an integral formation of their personality and towards a positive reintegration in their original families and/or in the society.

d) Objectives:

· religious-ethical formation: religious and Christian values are offered to the boys with the purpose to help them give a deeper meaning to their existence.

· formation towards civil values: honesty, truth, sincerity, respect of different opinions, knowledge of social rules and roles, sense of responsibility, spirit of sacrifice and continuous desire for improvement, are the base for a constructive and caring openness towards the others.

· formation towards a socio-emotional balance: aimed to lead minors and youngsters to a realistic knowledge and acceptance of themselves and to foster a positive attitude without any anxiety in facing conflicts and difficulties.

· formation towards autonomy: for a serene and balanced integration in social life and in the working environment, the boys must acquire a proper physical development, an integral affectivity, an adequate education and a deep sense of duty and responsibility.

formation towards freedom: understood as ability to assume and sustain their own evaluations, decisions and choices.


The activity in Casa Miani is meant to respond primarily to the needy youth of Sorsogon and surrounding provinces of Region V, but is open too for children referred by different branches of Casa Miani (Somascan Fathers) Foundation, Inc., and or by other agencies and regions, if the case needs an immediate intervention.

GENERAL POLICIES

Admission:

Requirements:

children and teenagers, 7-16, who are abandoned, orphaned, neglected and drop outs from the school

for youngsters, over 16, decisions will be taken on case to case basis by the Director, after consultation with the Educative Team.

Procedures:

Public agencies or private parties, concerned about the welfare of the boys, should get in touch with our Social Worker or with the Office of the Director to present the case.

Private parties will be referred back to municipal or DSWD Social Workers for case study reports.

The Educative Team gets together with the referring agency to prepare and sign a plan of intervention.

A schedule for family visitation (original, foster or adoptive) and communications should be set by the administration in coordination with the interested party.

When possible, before being accepted, minors and teenagers, should visit our facilities, accompanied by parents or by referring personnel.

Urgent cases can be taken into account.

It is a must for incomings to participate in our summer program (April-May) for a basic, mutual knowledge necessary for assessment purposes.

The final decision for admission will be done immediately after summer program.

Documents required upon admission:

Birth Certificate
Religious certificate (Baptism, Confirmation)
Medical Certificate
Last school year report card /form 137
Certificate of abandonment /certificate of foundling
Social case study Report
Affidavit to our institution
Different authorizations

Termination of Service

Generally the dismissal from Casa Miani should take place at the end of the Educative project stated in the plan of intervention, or when certain goals have been met and the team deems suitable for the boy the reintegration in his family or in the society.

In the presence of serious indications, the Director has the right to suspend the educative project and to dismiss the boy anytime during the year, after a previous consultation with the educative team, when it is possible.

Length of Stay

Case conference with the referring social worker, parent/guardian and with the client (the subject of the case)

1. To be able to establish the most appropriate date of the discharge or the reintegration

2. During the discharge the appropriate documents submitted during the admission must be returned like

v Birth certificate
v Baptismal (If any)
v 1st Communion (if any)
v Confirmation (if any)
v Current school record
v School Diploma (if any)
v Pictures
v A copy of signed discharge documents etc


PROGRAMS AND SERVICES:

a) Preliminaries

· The general educative plan of Casa Miani takes its main guidelines and general policies from the “Somascan pedagogical tradition” and from the “educative project for social institutions of the Somascan Fathers Congregation”.

· Fundamental elements of our project are:

- special attention to personal inclinations
- active involvement of the boys in their overall growth
- nurturance of a sense of responsibility and appreciation for work as mean for a decent living
- caring love as the foundation of any educative intervention
- a Christian vision of man and reality as the frame in which takes place a true human development

Our founder, St. Jerome Emiliani, was saying: “Work, piety and charity are the foundation of our institution”.

· The educative plan of intervention starts with the formal admission of the minor or teenager; it develops around the individual treatment plan and ends up with the reinstatement of the boy in his family or in the social world.

b) Educative Environment

Casa Miani intends to offer minors and teenagers with an adequate formative environment aimed to satisfy their basic needs and human rights and to provide them with a serene family atmosphere conducive of their holistic growth.

Leadership:The restrict number of population attended, and the positive leadership of our educators, who share their life with the boys, will give a special tone to all the formative intervention.

Chores and work: Under the supervision of our educators, the boys are assigned with daily chores in order to foster a sense of responsibility.

Free Time and Recreational Activities: The educators are in-charge of the organization and supervision of different moments of free time during the day. Programs and projects are formulated according to the needs and evolution of each person.

Group activities are given particular attention as a way leading to a good physical development, to personal growth and to proper socialization.

During summer time a special program is set in order to give our boys the possibility to experience a serene educative environment free of impelling scholastic worries

Minors and teenagers enlisted for admission must participate to this program.

Relations with the family: When it is possible, Casa Miani’s Social Worker will establish and maintain regular contacts with the original or foster families in order to support the members in their effort to work for an eventual reintegration of the boy in their nucleus.

c) Religious Formation

Religious formation is an on going process meant to offer our boys with a better understanding of their own dignity and responsibilities, based on Christian principles.

Casa Miani offers:

· a year long catechesis
· specific preparation to sacraments
· participation to liturgical celebrations on Sundays
· daily moments of prayer

d) Educational Program

· Minors and teenagers are enrolled in the school
· Educators always accompany minors; sometimes high school students reach their settings on their own, as a mean to foster a sense of responsibility and normality.
· Periodically or according to the particular needs of each boy, the Educator maintains a close contact with the teachers.
· During the period of time for homework, the boys are divided in small groups and are individually helped and followed up.
· For boys with grave difficulties in carrying on normal school programs, the educative team will develop a special treatment plan with the purpose of helping them to face a smooth integration in the working world.
· Our program is flexible. It can be extended with periods of time necessary to partially or fully complete vocational and college courses.
· Lately, our program has been enriched with an “Occupational Therapy Shop” in order to foster and develop practical skills and training.

e) Social Services

The social service of Casa Miani is mainly addressed to our boys and to their families. It includes:

· admission and preparation of the intake process
· preparation and implementation of the individual treatment plan
· case work with family
· case conferences and evaluation
· personal counseling
· “udienza” or group session (behavior evaluation and discussion, catechism and values formation)
· dismissal planning
· family or foster family placement and visitation
· on going formation for supportive families

f) Health Care

· A physical check-up is required at the admission
· Personal hygiene is checked and fostered daily by our educators
· For on going medical and dental treatment we use public as well as private facilities
· Nutritional programs are carried on regular basis according to individual needs
· Psychological or specialist evaluation are provided upon individual needs

g) Relations with the outside world

Casa Miani is an open community. The compound is generally open all day long with the purpose to sustain our boys’ efforts in rebuilding significant relations with the external world, especially with their peers.
· With regard to individual needs, outings are settled and supervised by the educator in charge and authorized by the director of the program
· Participation in social external activities and programs are encouraged