The Organization

Since 1997, ACAY works to offer a second chance to youth at risk aged 15 to 23 years old through innovative pedagogical methods. These are designed to restore the dignity of each youth and help them find meaning to their lives.

 

Our Vision

Metamorphosing Youths’ Lives Worldwide.

Our Mission

ACAY offers holistic and innovative approaches of restoration wherein youth and families in difficult circumstances will re-discover the dignity and meaning of life and take lead in becoming agents of change.

Our Goals

  • Provide familial and nurturing environment that offers a sense of belongingness and safety which will rebuild self-esteem and dignity.
  • Enable youth and families to face the consequences of their traumatic experiences and difficult life situations through holistic interventions for restoration of their psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs.
  • To empower the family in the restoration process of the youth.
  • Enhance leadership and equip youth and families with academic competence, knowledge and skills that will enable them to be autonomous and face the challenges of daily living.
  • Develop opportunities for youth and families to acquire life values for the service of others.
  • Develop strategies which reinforce bridges among existing gaps in societal and cultural mentalities for the sake of restoring youth and families.

ACAY Timeline

1995 | A call to start a mission 1995 | A call to start a mission
1997 | The beginnings of ACAY 1997 | The beginnings of ACAY
2000 | Foundation of the School of Life Program 2000 | Foundation of the School of Life Program
2002 | The Second Chance Program began 2002 | The Second Chance Program began
2005 | Family Program was Created 2005 | Family Program was Created
2007 – Foundation of Missionaries of Mary in Balanga, Bataan 2007 – Foundation of Missionaries of Mary in Balanga, Bataan
2009 – Mission with Aeta Community in Bangkal, Bataan 2009 – Mission with Aeta Community in Bangkal, Bataan
2012 – Accredition of ACAY Programs 2012 – Accredition of ACAY Programs
2013 – The mission in Tacloban 2013 – The mission in Tacloban
2013 | Sr. Sophie was awarded as Knight in the National Order of Merit 2013 | Sr. Sophie was awarded as Knight in the National Order of Merit
2014 | ACAY France began 2014 | ACAY France began
2017 | Sr. Sophie received the Knight of the French Legion of Honor award 2017 | Sr. Sophie received the Knight of the French Legion of Honor award
2018 | Mission in Congo Africa 2018 | Mission in Congo Africa
2020 | School of Life Celebrates 20 years anniversary 2020 | School of Life Celebrates 20 years anniversary
2020 | Metamorphosis Project
2014 2014
2017 2017
2018 2018
2019 2019
2021 2021

1995 | A call to start a mission

World Youth Day in Manila, the Philippines when Sr. Sophie of Jesus received her call to start a mission for children in difficulty.

1997 | The beginnings of ACAY

A small team of 3 sisters and 2 volunteers settles in Manila. They discover the reality of street life where children and youth are exposed to drugs, alcohol, exploitation, and all kinds of violence. The majority of NGO’s are interested only in children and very few are willing to help young people above 14 years old. Sr. Sophie then decided to take care of the youth at risk.

2000 | Foundation of the School of Life Program

The School of Life Program offers girls aged 16 to 21 years old who have experienced different abuse and trauma, a familial and therapeutic environment that enables them to rebuild their dignity, their self-esteem and empowers them to rediscover the meaning of their lives becoming young professionals in the world.

2002 | The Second Chance Program began

The Second Chance Program (SCP) is a community-based program catering to Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and Children-at-Risk (CAR) with an aim to lessen recidivism. Since 2009, 90% of the youth coached under the Aftercare subprogram did not go back to jail. 

2005 | Family Program was Created

The Family Program integrates the parents of ACAY beneficiaries into the process of reconstructing the lives of their children by way of formation and enabling the parents to process their past.

2007 – Foundation of Missionaries of Mary in Balanga, Bataan

Sr. Sophie founded the Missionaries of Mary consecrated sisters who lead the ACAY Missions Philippines Inc.

2009 – Mission with Aeta Community in Bangkal, Bataan

ACAY partnered with the Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus to reach out to the Aeta community in Bangkal. The aim was a sharing of cultures between the ACAY youth and the ethnic people enabling each one to know that they had a lot to contribute to be able to bring happiness, acceptance, and restored dignity to others.

2012 – Accredition of ACAY Programs

ACAY Missions Philippines programs were accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the Philippines.

2013 – The mission in Tacloban

Following the traumatic experience of the super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), ACAY partnered with the DSWD to offer Psychological 1st Aid to the victims in Leyte. As we reached the outskirts of Tacloban we were led to Barangay of Santa Cruz in Tanauan Leyte where we adopted the whole barangay with a program of Recovery and Sustainability 

2013 | Sr. Sophie was awarded as Knight in the National Order of Merit

Sr Sophie de Jésus Founder of ACAY Missions has received a Knight in the National Order of Merit award from the French government for her educative work for the Filipino youth.

2014 | ACAY France began

ACAY France began in Marseille to bring back from the Philippines the expertise and experience of helping the youth at risk in France.

2017 | Sr. Sophie received the Knight of the French Legion of Honor award

Sister Sophie of Jesus ACAY Missions Philippines founder has been awarded as Knight of the French Legion of Honor by the French government.

2018 | Mission in Congo Africa

One of our partners,  AMADE asked us if we would be willing to coach one of their partners in Africa, in Congo. A small team of sisters and staff of the School of Life program went to share the educative strategies and pedagogical approaches with an NGO taking care of young girls accused as “witches” in the African context.

 

2020 | School of Life Celebrates 20 years anniversary

This year was a significant year for School of Life as it celebrated it’s 20th anniversary.

The event was a chance to reflect on the ACAY identity and to come together to celebrate the success and contribution of the School of Life in shaping the lives of the youth and enabling them to become an agent of change.

2020 | Metamorphosis Project

Preparing the ACAY seeding stage.

2014

Arrivée à Marseille et démarrage des premières actions « Agis sur ta vie » auprès des mineurs en détention

2017

Sr. Sophie Renoux, fondatrice d”ACAY, a reçu le titre de Chevalier de la légion d’honneur.

2018

Démarrage de l’accompagnement des jeunes « Relève le défi » à la sortie de prison.

2019

Idrisse, premier jeune marseillais parti en mission d’immersion au sein d’ACAY Philippines.

2021

Sélection au programme national d’accompagnement de projets Justice : Act’Ice

ACAY Recognitions

Sr. Sophie Renoux, ACAY Founder and Executive Director, was awarded the French Order of Merit and the Légion d’Honneur medals.

ACAY is Certified by the Philippine Council of NGOs (PCNC). PCNC certification is a seal of good governance, management, and accountability for NGOs

Level II Accredited by Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the implementation of Residential-based Program and Services for Children and Youth

ACAY is registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),