The Social Action Office is an arm of the Lasallian Formation program that is responsible to translate into action the knowledge gained in the classroom and develop the learners’ zeal for service through discovering, experiencing and witnessing the life of the youth-at-risk and the marginalized sectors in the community.

History Vision Mission Programs SAO Personnel Interviews Acknowledgements

History

The Social Action Office has evolved from having only two units under its wing, the Grade School Exposure Program and the High School Exposure Program. The Grade School and the High School Exposure Programs are designed to bring the high school and the grade school students towards community involvements and social awareness. Its components are exposure, outreach and immersion programs. It has expanded to include the Formation and Community Partnership Program (FCPP). It was established in S.Y. 2001 in response to a need identified at the evaluation conducted by the Social Action Office regarding the programs and services of the office.

The evaluations have raised questions that after the students have experienced, lived and learned with the people of the community, what is the school's response to the felt and expressed needs of the communities? Is the school really contributing to social development or is it using the communities for its own end and purposes only? The evaluation suggested that the school must develop a concrete program that is responsive to the needs of a particular community it deemed to serve. Recognizing the need to go beyond the traditional school-community outreach framework, the Formation and Community Partnership Program was Created.

Vision

We envision a dynamic Social Action Office that facilitates and builds a strong collaborative partnership between DLSZ and partner communities

We envision a relevant formation of socially aware Lasallian students and key partners that will bring forth responsive action to the signs of the times.

We envision a self-sustained program for the partner communities with services offered to the marginalized sectors especially the youth.

We envision empowered partner communities that collectively work towards the achievement of their communal goals.

Mission

Provide a holistic and relevant formation integrated in the curriculum that fosters strong socio-civic responsibility and solidarity with the poor, especially to the youth at risk.

Mobilize a strong pool of Lasallian Volunteers and other forms of resources that can work collectively towards the achievement of the Lasallian Mission.

Ensure programs that are socially-environmentally responsive , culturally appreciative, religiously indiscriminating and gender sensitive geared towards empowerment and development of the children and the youth.

Build partnerships and strong linkages with people organizations, government and non-government organizations, church, schools and other organizations that share common conviction for children and youth at risk.

Ensure continuous professional growth and development to become better facilitators of formation.

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1. Programs
   
    
A. High School Exposure-Outreach Programs (Conscientization Stage/Actualization)

First Year
A one-day exposure to the urban poor partner community to observe, dialogue with and participate in community activities in order to discover and understand their life's situation. The aim is to promote unity and solidarity with the poor.

Second Year
A one-day exposure to the organized and communal lifestyle of families coming from the urban poor community, who are now living in a Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC). This experience makes the students actualize their sense of compassion and witness the role of the Church in the community.

Third Year
This is a one-day exposure on the plight of the laborers in the industrial setting. It aims to give them a first hand dialogue to assess their personal values and direct themselves to a deeper understanding of the social realities in realization to truth, justice, human rights and integrity of work.

Fourth Year
This is a one-day experience in the rural and organized fishing/farming communities. The aim is to deepen awareness and understanding of values, aspiration and realities of life of the people in these communities. The students are also expected to value simple lifestyle, alternative choices for living and exhibit a sense of ownership of the Lasallian Spirituality in their chosen vocation and services to others inspired by the Lasallian Tradition of Faith and Zeal.

 

B. Grade School Exposure Program

Grade 3 to 5
Socialization Stage

Grade 3
A half-day friendship activity with the Grade 3 public school pupils to foster spirit of friendship, equality and mutual sharing.

Grade 4
A half-day in reach activity with the Grade 4 public school pupils to realize and share ones giftedness. The aim is to appreciate in other's goodness of God.

Grade 5
A one-day exposure to the public school setting to enhance the student's awareness to the realities of the public schools. The aim is to become aware and sensitive to the value of being responsible as brothers and sisters in God's family.

Grade 6-7
Realization Stage

Grade 6
A one day exposure in a children's institution to nurture their compassion towards marginalized children. Activities include rearing and caring of babies and toddlers and tutorials for the kids.

Grade 7
This is a one day exposure to institutions that caters to youth at risk. The aim is to make them aware of the realities and plights of the street children and to intensify the student's zeal for service. Activities include tutorials, craft making, arts sessions and doing chores with the children in the institution.

 

Tugon Volunteer Program

The Lasallian community (admin, teachers, staff, parents, and alumni) are encouraged to join volunteer groups like Tugon Volunteer Club or volunteer in other service-oriented projects. The aim is to develop the value of volunteerism and zeal for service through formation and trainings. The projects and activities being organized by the volunteers will support and complement the exposure/outreach and immersion programs. (Programs include Sulong-Aral, Teacher Training Program for Public School and New Bilibid Prisons, Medicial-Dental Mission, Habitat, Disaster Response Program and others service related activities.)

 

3. Advocacy Program

   This program aims to strengthen the social awareness of the DLSZ students on local, national and global issues that affect Philippine society through focus group discussions, conference, talks, film showing and special projects. (e.g. Kamp-Tugon, Children's Month Celebration, Adopt-A-Child and other related exposure activities).

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THE SOCIAL ACTION OFFICE

Ms. Angie Ballesteros
Head, Social. Action Office
BALLESTEROSAC@ZOBEL.DLSU.EDU.PH

The Social Action Office may be found in the Cadlum Hall of DLSZ, or you may dial 842-8448 loc. 1105.