HISTORY
Jesus Loves the Little Children Foundation, Inc. (JLLCF) was established out of deep conviction to meet the needs of street children, orphans, and neglected abandoned and abused children and destitute families in Metro Manila, especially in Pasig City.
In 1998, Bishop Chito and his wife, Rachel began the ministry through visits, feeding and friendship evangelism among the street children and families in major, busy streets of Pasig City particularly along Jollibee, McDonald Theater area. As they ministered, Bishop Chito acquired a vision to put up and establish a residential home for the street children. On March 15, 1999, JLLCF opened its residential center for streechildren located in Kapasigan Area near Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Pasig City.
From 1999 to 2012, JLLCF, through its Children’s Home Care Program, cared for, supported and educated hundreds of children at risk, specifically boys from 4 to 18 years of old. These children were orphaned, neglected, abandoned, abused and unable to live at home or be supported by their parents.
In the last quarter of 2008, JLLCF started receiving phone calls and email from donors and sponsors informing us they could no longer continue their sponsorship. Several of JLLCF’s foreign donors especially from the USA were hit by the financial crisis that affected their businesses and employment. JLLCF anticipated that 2009 would be worse and austerity measures were quickly implemented in the Residential Care Home and other programs. Sure enough, from 2009 until 2011, many of our long-time sponsors could no longer continue their pledges. However, there are still a few partners, with strong determination; fixed purpose and compassion who are willing to support the children.
In light of these and other circumstances, the JLLCF Board of Trustees has decided to transition from residential home care to a community based care model. This was not an easy decision as we had committed 13 years of home care and had developed deep and meaningful bonds with the children. However, with the help of our local friends and family, we were very pleased to find immediate family members and/or relatives of the children. They have recently been reunited with family and some are being transitioned to a new Home or Shelter for Boys with the assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Officially, the Children’s Home has been closed since March 31, 2012.
Since then, we have progressed into our new and exciting facility, Riversprings School, Inc., where we focus on Educational Sponsorship Program. Riversprings School is where JLLCF foresees hundreds of children at risk being assisted in their studies and many impoverished families supported through feeding and livelihood programs.
JLLCF functions as a grant making and giving agency focusing on Educational Sponsorship Program (sponsorship and scholarship), providing food through Supplemental Feeding Program, provision and assistance of clothing, health and nutrition programs, medical and dental missions/coverage. Although it might sound quite administrative or official, we will continue to support children with all the heart and soul we have given in the past. We believe we are serving and reaching out to more children at risk by sending children to school and…bringing hope for a better future.
TIMELINE
< TO FOLLOW >
Vision
Positive and sustained transformation in the lives of the children at risk, families, and communities in need.
Mission
To be God’s instrument in caring for and nurturing of Filipino children in Pasig City and within Metro Manila through:
- Provision of educational opportunities
- Provision of arts, sports & recreational activities
- Improve health and nutrition
- Development of partnership to facilitate access by families and communities to socio-economic resources
Goals
- To improve the bio-psychosocial and spiritual conditions of children at risk and their families
- To enable children and families to become productive, responsible, and Godly members of society
