The Teresa, Rizal municipal government launched the province's very first youth-dedicated development center as part of its efforts in empowering and ensuring the health and wellness of its young citizens.
(Photos from TYDC)
"The Teresa Youth Development Center (TYDC) is a one-stop-center where the youth are able to access a single point to seek assistance. Through an integrated under-one-roof approach, the center offers consultation, education, employment and empowerment opportunities for young people. The facility also supports the youth across Teresa, Rizal who do not have access to education due to financial limitations," the local government unit (LGU) said.
Located on the 3rd floor of Teresa's new multi-purpose hall (across Producers Bank), TYDC aims to meet four objectives:
1. Development of technical skills
2. Engagement in intergenerational learning
3. Cultivate empowerment
4. Promotion of cultural competence
"Expert, friendly and supportive staff at the center will navigate clients through a process of their needs regardless if their requirements are very basic or highly sophisticated. TYDC will be a familiar brand where the youth can access reliable information and assistance as well as government and private sector opportunities. The youth will be guided through his/her needs journey ensuring that optimum success is achieved. TYDC also provides a resource facility, internet access, and a training and capacity building curriculum," the LGU said.
(Photos from TYDC)
"Teresa youth will be welcome as client of the youth development center. Special attention will be given to those who fall within the youth, women, and disabled categories. Service providers to the TYDC will be secondary clients of the youth development center. The service providers will be used extensively for referrals and linkages. Partners in this project will include national and provincial government departments, parastatals, labor, civil society, NGO’s, business associations and chambers of commerce, informal business associations (e.g. hawker’s associations), big business and local support organizations (both private and NGO sectors)," it added.
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officers also offer free sessions with the youth for them to be able to communicate with the officials whenever necessary.
According to JP Bertiz, Executive Assistant of Teresa, Rizal Mayor Rodel Dela Cruz and Local Youth Development Officer, the facility was conceptualized following a series of youth suicides in the province due to family and financial problems.
"It was also a project that involves community partner/ NGO called Share a Smile Project where our aim is to help the people in need. So, yung ibang gamit like the computers and some furniture are donations (So some of the equipment such as computers and some furniture are donations)," Bertiz said.
The LGU noted that TYDC's services also include extensive outreach and capacity building programs that will be rolled out to surrounding communities and schools.
The facility is open from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public may also contact 09178463543 for more information about the TYDC and its other services.