Independent Living and Educational Assistance (ILEA) Service

KBF’S Independent Living and Educational Assistance (ILEA) Service provides board and lodging in a group home, as well as tuition and related school expenses for a limited number of young people in their mid- to late-teens. The goal is to equip these young scholars with the academic credentials and employable skills to enable them to become independent, self-reliant and productive adults.

 

Rationale of the Service

Thousands of homeless children who were abandoned, neglected, orphaned or surrendered by their families are staying in government institutions, in private child-caring agencies, or in licensed foster homes all over the country. Unfortunately, only a small number are reunited with their birth families or are eventually adopted. Those who stay on until they are no longer qualified to remain in an institution or with a foster family have to be prepared to support themselves as adults.

It is in this context that KBF responded through the establishment of the ILEA Service. With education as its main component, it seeks to enable these young people to complete high school or college, and then find gainful employment to support themselves and their future families.

 

Philosophical Basis

KBF believes that, in the absence of a permanent family to love, care for, guide and prepare them for adult life, children should be empowered to care for themselves. If given the proper opportunities, they can become independent, self-reliant, God-fearing citizens who can contribute to nation building.

 

Legal Basis

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), Article 26 – states that every person has the right to education; and education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 29 – provides that the education of the child shall be directed to the development of the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential; and the preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society.

Presidential Decree 603, Article 3 – states that every child has the right to an education commensurate with his abilities and to the development of his skills for the improvement of his capacity for service to himself and to his fellowmen.

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE SERVICE

KBF’s ILEA Service aims to:

a) Support the scholars’ completion of secondary, vocational and, in special cases, college education;

b) Provide a group home as a venue for them to learn life skills and experience a family environment;

c) Enable the scholars to “heal” from their past, regain self-worth and confidence, and develop the responsibility and discipline to live an independent life as adults;

d) Strengthen their capacity to trust and relate to/interact with others;

e) Inculcate in the scholars love of God, family and country and respect for the environment;

f) Assist them in finding employment opportunities upon completion of their schooling.

Eligible as ILEA Scholars:

The following are eligible for acceptance into KBF’s ILEA Service:

a) Homeless adolescents (generally 15 to 18 years old) who have not been adopted

b) Those who have been staying in institutions or with foster families, but have reached the age limit for such arrangement

c) Those who have no family to return to nor support them in their education

 

Components of the Service:

Educational Assistance – The ILEA Service covers tuition fees, school supplies, cost of school projects and activities, transportation, snack allowance, and other expenses related to schooling.

Group Home – Board and lodging is provided for the scholars while they are studying, where they are expected to learn basic home life skills and share in the household chores, such as budgeting, menu planning, marketing, buying groceries, cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, etc. No houseparent is assigned to the group home, but a KBF social worker visits regularly.

Casework – Individual counseling is provided as part of the case management for each scholar to start life anew.

Groupwork – Individual counseling is provided as part of the case management for each scholar to start life anew.

Job Placement – Employment assistance is extended to the scholars after graduation through referrals, job inquiries and guidance in submitting job applications.

Follow-up and After Care – The social worker ensures that newly-employed scholars are adjusting well in their jobs, have decent living conditions, and have prospects for a comfortable and happy life.

 

For more information, contact KBF at:

#56 10th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City 1109, Philippines

Tel. no.: (+63)2-912-1159

Mobile: (+63)917-311-4795

Email: kbf@kbf.ph