USJ-R Institute of Non-Formal Education and Community Outreach Program

Global Doodle for Peace with USJ-R Elementary Department



On December 6, 2023, the University of San Jose-Recoletos, through the Center for Recollect Community Engagement and Social Involvement (CRCESI), in partnership with ARCORES conducted the Global Doodle for Peace. There were 100 children from the Elementary Department of the University who participated in the activity; 32 of them were Grade IV pupils, 32 Grade V pupils, and 34 Grade VI pupils.

The Global Doodle for Peace activity was designed “to bring global awareness for Peace, that the wars will end through Peace, and that there will be no victims of war—women, children, old people, and all of us.” To achieve the purpose of the activity, the participants were asked to: 1) color or ‘doodle’ one common design for Peace, entitled, “Hoping for Peace in Bethlehem;” 2) reflect on the Peace that Jesus brings; 3) share their reflections and; 4) commit on becoming artisans of peace in their own little way.

May we celebrate this Season of Christmas with sincere prayer and gratitude in our hearts … “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Written by: Joanna Z. de Catalina

MANGROVE GROWING AND COASTAL CLEANUP


Last December 2, 2023, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) through the Center for Recollect Community Engagement and Social Involvement (CRCESI) in partnership with ARCORES (Augustinian Solidarity Network) Filipinas conducted a Mangrove Growing and Coastal Cleanup at Barangay Luyang, Carmen Cebu. The Climate Action (UNSDG 13) activity was participated by 48 employees, 2 lay administrators, 1 religious administrator, 10 student volunteers and 1 alumnus. A representative from Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and 5 representatives from Local Government Unit (LGU) of Barangay Luyang, Carmen Cebu assisted the Josenians during the event. The activity was one of the university’s way of responding to the universal call of environmental stewardship in all strata of the society.

Written by: Dr. Joanna Z. De Catalina

USJ-R CRCESI holds Anchor’s Manual Orientation, Planning

The University of San Jose-Recoletos Center for Recollect Community Engagement and Social Involvement (USJ-R CRCESI) inducted the new Anchors for the Academic Year 2023-2024 during the Manual Orientation and Strategic Planning held at the Fr. Blas Hall in the USJ-R Main Campus yesterday, September 16.

All the newly inducted Anchors represent different colleges, departments, and offices in Basak and Main Campuses.

Dr. Joanna De Catalina, CRCESI Head, showed the guidelines, project design, and project implementation of the programs planned for this academic year, emphasizing the purpose and importance of the benefiting communities.

“We really believe that in conducting community extension activities, it would be successful if the partnering community is given the opportunity to express their needs. We do not put into their mouth, into their mind, that this is what we want but this is in response to what they need,” she said.

Meanwhile, CRCESI Director, Rev. Fr. Rouel Sia, OAR, highlighted the mission, vision, and core values of the University to welcome the new Anchors in their new endeavor of helping those in need.

“Reading the gospel is not enough…you have to live by the gospel,” he said.

“I highly encourage everyone to look for programs nga sustainable, dili lang para karon kay dili raman ta karon motabang. Ato manang balik-balikan because that is Josenian Recollect,” he added.

Furthermore, the Anchors presented their proposals for their collaborative community engagement. Some of the proposals involve the continuation of existing programs, while others introduce new ideas.

The programs will resume on Saturday, September 23, with the continuation of the “Paglaum Sa Mga Bata Sa Carbon,” followed by the return of “Lamesa ni San Jose.”

Further details of the programs have yet to be announced.

via Sharry Cuizon | FORWARD Probationary Writer

Photos Courtesy: Hannah Vanessa Mondilla | FORWARD Staff Artist

USJ-R CRCESI conducts profiling for children in Carbon.

The University of San Jose-Recoletos Center for Recollect Community Engagement and Social Involvement (USJ-R CRCESI), formerly known as the Institute of Non-Formal Education and Community Outreach Program (INFECOP), led the basic profiling for Identification (ID) for selected children from Barangay Ermita yesterday, September 2.

An ICRCESI-Social Worker, Melrose Carabuena, RSW, explained that the purpose of the profiling was to officially recognize the children as beneficiaries of the Paglaum sa mga Bata sa Carbon Program.

Carabuena added that this process would facilitate convenient attendance tracking.

“Rules jud nato na mag-attendance for us to check na consistent ba ta sa atong beneficiaries. Wala ba ni-low atong attendance or ni-high ba atong attendance, ato sad nang gitan-aw,” she said.
The beneficiaries fall within the 7-14 age range.
The program will resume on September 16, 2023, at which point the ID cards will be distributed.
Aside from the activity, the CRCESI also offers various activities aimed at promoting literacy, psychosocial development, spiritual growth, and personal development every Saturday.

The Paglaum sa mga Bata sa Carbon program is being carried out in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between USJ-R CRCESI and Cebu2World Development Incorporated on November 25, 2022.

via Ejay Villaver | FORWARD Staff Writer
Photos Courtesy: Ejay Villaver

Last July 7, 2023, seven ARCORES Volunteers from Spain had their Cultural Integration Program at the University of San Jose-Recoletos. The Program was spearheaded by the Center for Recollect Community Engagement and Social Involvement (CRCESI) Office formerly Institute of Non-Formal Education and Community Outreach Program (INFECOP). The program’s objectives were (1) to acquaint the volunteers with the culture of the places – the host community, where they have their three-week immersion program – and (2) to provide them first aid training and safety tips against calamities and other disasters.
After the three-week immersion program in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, and Apo Island, Dauin, Negros Oriental, they came back to USJ-R for the evaluation. The evaluation was focused on the relevance of the components of the Cultural Integration Program that was given to them prior to their immersion. This activity, conducted last August 3, 2023, served as the culmination of their exposure to the Filipino life and culture. Further, the volunteers were also given the chance to have a glimpse of the different Churches established by the Recollects in the Northern part of Cebu.

MANGROVE GROWING AND COASTAL CLEANUP


Last April 15, 2023, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) through the Institute of Non Formal Education and Community Outreach Program (INFECOP) in partnership with ARCORES (Augustinian Solidarity Network) Filipinas conducted a Mangrove Growing and Coastal CleanUp at Barangay Luyang, Carmen Cebu. The event was participated by 70 Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) students, 27 employees, 14 volunteers, 2 lay administrators and 1 religious Administrator. A representative from Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and 5 representatives from Local Government Unit (LGU) of Barangay Luyang, Carmen Cebu assisted the Josenians during the event.

The activity was one of the university’s way of responding to the universal call of environmental stewardship in all strata of the society.

Written by: Dr. Joanna Z. De Catalina

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Sharing the joy of Jesus Christ to the children of Carbon

Last December 10, 2022 the University through the INFECOP and in partnership with Cebu2World, held a Christmas Party for 100 children at the USJ-R, Main Lobby. These children are the beneficiaries of the program “Paglaum sa mga Bata sa Carbon.” Each of the children received Jolly Kiddie Meal and bundles of joy.
Our warmest gratitude to the following sponsors: Cebu2World for the Jolly Kiddie Meal; Josenian family (CPRDS, CRE, Elementary Department, HRMO, FAI, SCS, SHS Department and JNRAAI) for the bundles of joy; and Cheekees Pancit Canton for their snacks.

Written by: Joanna Z. de Catalina

.share.help.therecoletoway

Last December 10, 2022, the University of San Jose-Recoletos through the INFECOP conducted a Relief Operation for Mandaue Fire Victims at Looc Gym, Barangay Looc, Mandaue City, Cebu. Food packs (rice, canned goods, noodles, coffee, and milo) were shared to 245 families. Aside from the food packs, 20-liter containers of drinking water were distributed to each of the 200 families.
Gratitude is given to the following sponsors: Secular Augustinian Recollects Fraternity (SARF) Philippines for the rice and 200 pieces water containers; Josenian family for the dry goods (canned goods, noodles, coffee, and milo) and Php 37,865.65 total cash collected during the room-to-room campaign. Also, thanks to INFECOP anchors and volunteers for their support.

Written by : Joanna Z. de Catalina