The Regional Haven for Women (RHW), one of the centers of DSWD Field Office VII, celebrated its 30th anniversary with the theme “30 years of Upholding Excellence, 30 years of Illuminating Women’s Lives” in Cebu City.
Dressed in green to depict the 30-year celebration, the staff showed their singing and dancing talents during the event. The residents, aside from singing and dancing, also showed their skills in poster-making contests, and strutted their creative and colorful products like handbags, bandanas, and wallets, among others, in a runway fashion show. The products were made available and displayed for sale.
Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero takes pride in the transformation of the center through the years. “We will continue to provide light of hope and inspiration that through the service we gave in Haven, together with our partners, those women who come to us, because they are in a crisis situation, will be able to help them achieve their dreams and provide them with a place where people can trust, feel joy, care, and love.” To all the staff, congratulations on a job well done.”
Partners, stakeholders, and former staff were given recognition awards during the event, which was followed by lighting a candle led by RD Lucero to symbolize the renewal of their commitment to help ensure quality service is provided to the women victim-survivors of abuse for their healing and recovery. Through a video message, a former client who is now a social worker thanked Haven and the staff for the guidance, advice, and making her feel like part of the family during her stay, as well as for the livelihood assistance she received from the center.
As a fitting finale, residents sang their original composition that says Haven is not just a place but a beacon of hope for women in distress situation: Here’s a part of the song lyrics:
In the darkest times, there’s a home, a haven of light!
There is a light, Regional haven for women is here
30 years of upholding excellence illuminating women’s lives
When you feel astray, when things don’t go your way,
There’s a hope that’s waiting for me and you each day!
RHW Center head, Ms. Ananisa Aviso, thanked the management, RD Lucero, interns and all the staff for the success of the event. “For the last 30 years, we were able to serve more than 2000 victims. “We have two hands, one is to help ourselves and the other to help others,” said Aviso.
Since 1993, Regional Haven for Women, popularly known as Haven, has been a home and a sanctuary for women who experienced abuse and domestic violence. The center caters to women in crisis ages 18-59 including their dependents. These include victims of Involuntary Prostitution, Illegal Recruitment, sexual abuse, violence, armed conflict, and trafficking.
Some of the services offered in Haven are counselling, medical and legal assistance, treatment and rehabilitation programs, livelihood and skills training, therapy, and spiritual enrichment, among others.
As the center head, Aviso ensures that the operations and administration sides of the center are working well. This includes guiding the staff on what to do and what to prepare for the accreditation and giving technical assistance if needed.
Haven was awarded a level 3 accreditation, or Center of Excellence, in 2021 by the Standards Bureau. It means that the center, as a social laboratory for stakeholders, is a standard center for women and that it is able to provide the best quality or excellent service to the clients. ###
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