BY FR. SHAY CULLEN
CHILDREN and youth are still considered by some government officials as having “criminal minds.” This is far from the truth as is seen from how the youth respond in the New Dawn Home when they are respected, treated with dignity, accepted, affirmed, and receive value formation and education on their rights and value as human beings and as children of God.
These youth, from 15 to 17 years of age, are successfully persuaded and encouraged to take Emotional Release Therapy to bring out their emotional pain and memories in therapy sessions. Then, after therapy, they can talk about their past painful experiences.
The Preda Foundation home is an alternative to jail providing a caring and supporting environment where the youth can grow and change. The number of admissions to the home is growing as more are sent by good caring judges that want to help the youth reform.
The Preda New Dawn center is an open center that thrives on trust, affirmation, respect, emotional support and education. The youth, released from jail by compassionate and enlightened judges, agree and volunteer to stay by free choice. They feel wanted, cared for and of value and have dignity and rights that are respected and cherished by the dedicated staff. They are cared for by a staff of dedicated social workers and facilitators who teach, inspire and support them every day.
There are 32 boys in the Preda New Dawn Home, 28 are children in conflict with law with legal cases and four are children at risk.
Out of the 32 boys, 17 were rescued from the youth prison Operation Second Chance, 10 from police detention facilities and four from drop-in centers.
These children in conflict with the law and children at risk were accused of committing offenses in the community and they were referred by the courts or by partner local government units to Preda.
There is great hope to help and heal more young prisoners and save them from a life of crime. There are eight more youth waiting for admission and to be helped at Preda New Dawn Home. They are being held in temporary detention by local social workers and will soon be transferred to the Preda New Dawn Home.
The Preda staff are prioritizing (for admission) boys with court orders, those who may be sent to youth prison for their serious violations and those with failed community diversion programs. When admitted to the New Dawn Home, they are saved from enduring the horrors of the jail-like system.
Education is the escape from poverty, hardship and life in jail. In the New Dawn Home, the boys participate in program activities and are helped to continue their education through non-formal and formal education such as the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
At present, there are 23 boys enrolled in the Alternative Learning System (ALS). This is a successful alternative to detention that could be adopted by all the youth jails and Bahay Pag-asa. That is vital for their healing and recovery and chance for a better future.
It is what the New Dawn Home is all about, a new better start in life for them and their families. The research data for this article was provided by Emmanuel Drewery, the executive director of the Preda Foundation. (preda.org)/PN
