I got to visit Independent Living Learning Centre (ILLC) last week. It is very close to Explorations and right in front of the entrance to Wack Wack Country Club.
ILLC was established by Professor Archie David (who is also the Executive Director) as a center that caters to the needs of children, adolescents and young adults with special needs. They have SPED tutorials, Early intervention services, peer group, transition, and work training/placement program. Although they do have young children who come for OT, PT and speech, the center has more older students. This is probably because they have programs that really encourage young adults and adolescents to be more productive and to learn more functional skills.
They have a laundromat and a cafe (which becomes an all you can eat buffet called Abelardo's on Friday nights from 6 - 9 pm) where the students work, as part of their program. They are compensated for their work and regularly receive a paycheck :).
ILLC also has programs in Cebu and Davao.
One of the classrooms.
Students learning how to fold laundry.
This terrace becomes a stage during special occasions.
Abelardo's - eat all you can on Fridays from 6 - 9 pm for P120!
Resource Center for all their materials
Another classroom.
Kitchen/dining area.
Lots of space to run around :).
Teacher Archie also has an outreach in Mandaluyong for families of kids with special needs. If I am not mistaken, families who cannot pay for services receive therapy for free once a week. This was established in collaboration with the local government of Mandaluyong. Read more about it below:
If you would like to find out more about ILLC,
please contact Teacher Archie David below:
email: illcphilippines@yahoo.com
website: http://www.illcphilippines.com
