In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the Lasallian Community Development Center (LCDC) is paying homage to its legacy of engaging in community extension and development efforts. The Center will be staging several major activities this year that cements it commitment to create, serve and inspire Lasallians for more decades to come.
Among the activities to be showcased this year are the programs that the LCDC has spearheaded for the past 30 years. This year’s programs also seek to shine the spotlight on how the Lasallian commitment to service has stirred volunteers, partner communities, and partner institutions to continue such mission. In doing so, LCDC’s legacy to touch hearts and transform lives is sustained.
LCDC in Action
Kick Off Celebration
The LCDC kicks off its 30th year with the celebration of a Holy Mass attended by the Lasallian community, partner communities and institutions.
30 Inspiring Stories
With 30 inspiring stories, the LCDC looks to its founders, previous directors, previous faculty members, and student volunteers to tell the story of the Center and how it has impacted their lives and the communities it serves. These stories shine the spotlight on sustainability, impact, and significance of LCDC’s programs on the current thrusts of the University.
30 community service opportunities
To celebrate 30 years of LCDC, 30 community extension will be incorporated in the LCDC Plan for A.Y. 2019-2020. This will also be an avenue in addressing the DLSP Zero Poverty Eradication through Adopt a Family Project.
Zero Extreme Poverty (ZEP) Program
As part of the advocacy of Br. Armin Luisitro that appeals to all the La Salle Schools to adopt a program that will focus on the low income earners to eradicate if not lessen the poverty rate in the country, DLSU-D seeks to adopt 30 scholars to provide a holistic program and uplift their poverty condition. The project will be launched for A.Y. 2019-2020.
Partners Recognition Day
The LCDC aims to recognize 30 partner institutions that made vital contributions in carrying out the Lasallian Principles of Social Development. This includes partners from LGUs, NGOs, church-based organizations, other La Salle Schools, DLSP, and other sectors within the University. This also includes the recognition of volunteers and founders who have inspired the LCDC to continue its mission. This will also serve as the Ceremonial closing program of the year-long celebration of LCDC, and presentation of the compiled stories and LCDC vision for the next 30 years.
TATLUMPU: ISANG PAGPUPUGAY
By Rio Ramos-Mazo
former director, LCDC
Today I pay tribute to the men and women of the Lasallian Community Development Center of De La Salle University – Dasmarinas (LCDC-DLSU-D). Isang pasasalamat din kay G. Segundo Doy E. Sim.
The Seed of My Mission
More than half of my years in DLSU-D were spent in LCDC. It started when I joined the Students' Extension of Resources through Voluntary Efforts (SERVE) through the influence--more of a peer pressure--of my then college friends. It was through SERVE that I was made aware of social realities and the need to respond to them. Back then, we were given the opportunity to dialogue with farmers, labor leaders, and the marginalized sectors of the society. It was perhaps through SERVE that the seed of my Lasallian Mission – Vocation was planted in my being.
I never expected that my first job would also be in LCDC. After graduating from college, I was hired to be an office clerk at LCDC. I never had second thoughts accepting the job, as I felt I was not totally ready to be"out there" in the"real world of work". I thought I would be working in an environment where I would be comfortable as LCDC was very familiar to me, not to mention that I would be serving my Alma Mater. Borrowing my daughters' expression, it was an "easy peesy" job. I never had any difficulty adjusting, as I knew the people working in LCDC as well as the projects that they were implementing. Of course, I also had the perks of "free lunch" as most of the faculty in LCDC were my formators during my SERVE Volunteer Days.
And the seed sprouted
Being in LCDC was not matter of chance. In less than a semester working as a clerk, I was given an opportunity to be an Academic Service Faculty of the unit. Maybe they saw a potential; maybe because I used to be a SERVE Volunteer… but perhaps it's more of God's working. I believe, He heard my prayers and truly knew my heart's desire. When I was younger, I always wanted to be a Medical Doctor because"gusto kong tumulong sa mga nangangailangan." But due to financial concerns, I never had the opportunity to take the road towards being a Doctor. I never had regrets, because when I was in LCDC, I realized that God had led me to the fulfillment of my dream of reaching out to other people. That sense of mission was reawakened, and the more I got involved in doing the programs and projects of LCDC, the more that I was led to one of my life's mission.
And the Mission grew
10 years after, I found myself leading the organization. I was full of idealism and aspirations… a vision for LCDC to really be at the center of transforming lives. I thought, I am God's instrument of transforming others, of changing the society… but as I performed my job, it was I that was being transformed. I thought I already had a grasp of what justice and peace, of generosity and gratuity, of empathy and compassion... of God's plan and mission…but I was wrong. I began to have a better understanding of those when I had to defend the trees, the seas, the mountains….when I had to walk side by side with the landless, with the urban poor, with children with special needs…when I had to work with progressive movements, government churches and private organizations… when I had to aspire and dream with the marginalized sectors, and to simply be one with Humanity. My values and principles were event tested a lot of times when I had to stand up for our SERVE Volunteers, for colleagues, most importantly for the Lasallian Mission. I should say, I was transformed, more than what I ought to do to other people. I am blessed that I became part of LCDC, because I will never be who I am now had I not been there. And I will forever be grateful for this.
30 years… 3 decades… It's a milestone… It is never easy advancing the mission of social transformation in an environment that seems to be not always conducive (not to be so naIve about it). But knowing that the work is not mine, but it is God's, I am assured that in His perfect time, it will happen. I am just a follower of God's will, and a contributor to such great work. I pray for LCDC to have renewed strength, vigor and passion… and to have a deeper sense of commitment and mission. May it continue to grow in its mandate and to be truly an advocate of justice, peace and integrity of creation, and most importantly, of God's mission of social transformation. Let it be that LCDC be recognized as an equally important unit, rightful of all the support (in words, but more in actions), not only for accreditation and compliance purposes, but more so in the light of the Lasallian Mission. St. John Baptist de La Salle started the mission of education, one that does not only educate the mind, but also the heart and spirit… and I think, that is an area where LCDC truly matters: teaching-touching the hearts…to help transform lives…to help transform the society.
PATULOY KANG PAGPALAIN, LCDC!