St. Joseph Foundation, Inc. Hearts of Gold

It takes genuine commitment and concern to serve the less fortunate. Even more so when the journey of the outreach spans over two decades. St. Joseph Foundation, Inc., founded and run by prominent and generous women of Cebu, is an inspiring example of the kindness and zeal it takes to make a mark and to reach out to others.

The Foundation traces its roots back in 1983, when a Soup Kitchen was organized at St. Joseph Parish in Mabolo, feeding 500 children. By 1986, St. Joseph Foundation was formed to meet the growing number and needs of the children being fed at the Soup Kitchen. The expansion of the original project included giving milk to malnourished babies and starting a medical and dental clinic. A livelihood project was also introduced, where women were taught to crochet items to sell for a profit, aiming to augment the income of the families.

In 1988, however, Mabolo Parish Church decided to stop the Soup Kitchen project. That ended the feeding program. But hardly discouraged, the Foundation moved the outreach site to the Sea Transport Building, where the crochet project, the clinic and the nutritional assistance for babies were continued. A year later, PBSP assistance was sought to help in the continued operation of the crochet project, which had grown considerably to 50 families.

In the early 90's, a Coop was formed among the members of the livelihood project with a vision of instilling in them the importance of discipline, honesty, hard work and cooperation. Eventually, the clinic and milk program were discontinued but the livelihood project went on with dynamic progress. St. Joseph Foundation, Inc. instead diversified its operations, including offering a scholarship program at UP, for high school and college students and financially aiding establishments such as the Vocational School of SHS-J, Hospitaller Sisters, institutions run by the Mother Teresa nuns, Banilad Study Center for Professional Development, Ermita Soup Kitchen and Siervas del Plan de Dios, among many other worthy causes that need support. Since the annual membership dues were not enough, the members would organize a Christmas Bazaar to generate the funds to run these numerous projects.

The year 1999 proved to be a landmark for St. Joseph Foundation. It received accreditation status as a Non-Government Organization (NGO) by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC). The numerous projects went on.

Fast forward to 2004, the accreditation status was renewed. By then, the members also decided that the annual Christmas Bazaar had run its time. Instead, they raised funds through a concert featuring Pilita Corrales. The concert proved to be a great success. For further variation of the fundraising activities, a Bake Sale was held at Ayala Mall. It was another wonderful success.

This year, the members recently held "Holiday Medley with Jose Mari Chan", a benefit concert at Casino Español, which had popular singer Jose Mari Chan charming the audience with his original and classic rendition of nostalgic and popular hits from the 60s to the present. He is known nationwide for his wholesome and beautiful music. The event was again a success through the efforts of the St. Joseph Foundation members and the sponsors of the event. And so the journey of outreach and kindness continues. May the Foundation never grow weary of compassionate service.

(St. Joseph Foundation, Inc.; Bauhinia Drive, Banilad, Cebu City; Tel. No. 231-0531)