Hospicio de San Jose
Mission Statement
Rooted in the Charity of Jesus Christ Crucified, Hospicio de San Jose, is a Haven of Hope for Persons living in poverty situations. We commit ourselves for the integral development and well-being of the vulnerable and excluded sectors of society, especially the abandoned, orphaned, surrendered, neglected, abused children and youth, persons with special needs, older persons and persons/families in crisis situations through sustainable programs and services where resource sharing and participative involvement is a way of life.
About This Cause
Hospicio de San Jose is the oldest charitable institution in the Philippines, dating its existence since August, 1810. It is located on "Isla de la Convalescencia" , a natural island in Manila, attached to Ayala Bridge. It started in 1810 as a hospice for the beggars of Manila. Then in 1853 it extended its services to the mentally ill, becoming the first maniconium of the country. In 1904 it started to accept foundlings and orphans. At one point in this institution's history, the Sisters ran a school called Colegio de Hospicio de San Jose, producing graduates who were acclaimed for their musical skills, fine embroidery or craftmanship, mastery of English and Spanish, good work habits and strong Christian values. Up to date, it is registered and licensed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and has gained a Level III Accreditation status for all its four Programs and Services, hence, declared as a "Center of Excellence". It is the first NGO to achieve the Level III Accreditation in 2015. It is managed by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (since 1865). It provides residential care to abandoned, surrendered, abused, orphaned, neglected children and youth, children with special needs, the elderly, and persons/families in crisis situations like the abused women and children ( in its Sanctuary Program), single pregnant women, persons sick of HIV-Aids, homeless peoples ( through its "Food for Life Program", Night shelter and Housing ), victims of calamities and disasters, and other forms of crisis. Its human resource consist of 120 salaried employees, not counting volunteers. Hospicio de San Jose is known for its urban organic vegetable and herbal gardens, which is their commitment to environmental sustainability and resource generation. For the past 208 years, it has been sustained by Divine Providence through donations from generous people, families, organizations and companies. Recently, it has developed income generating projects through its bakery products and products from their organic gardens, like Basil Pesto Sauce, oregano powder, etc.