Our History
Children’s Safe Harbor, Inc. was founded in 1988 by
Puerto Rican natives, Felipe and Iris Myrtha Castro.
Guided by their unwavering faith in God, Felipe
and Iris saw a profound need to offer children hope in a
community that was plagued with drugs, alcohol, sex and
violence. As a result, they established an organization
which aimed to provide children a safe place to go to
participate in programs that cultivated their spiritual,
emotional and educational needs.
Over the last two decades, Children’s Safe Harbor has
established a wide-variety of programs including the
After-School Tutoring and Homework Club, the Children’s
Choir, Summer Day Camp, and the Saturday Club.
The Saturday Club, which started in 1989, meets
from 12:30pm-4:00pm every other Saturday, and includes
activities such as arts and crafts, music, poetry,
dance, games, sports, drawing, drama, and educational
and cultural activities for children between the ages of
4 through 12.
Children’s Safe Harbor also celebrates over eleven
annual events that showcase the children’s creativity
and talents.
These events include, but are not limited to, The
Day of the Hispanic Child (including an
Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Children’s March), Family
Christmas, Spring Festival, Talent Day, Children’s Gala,
Student Day, Roller Skating Night, and Camp Day.
Children’s Safe Harbor has received a multitude of
awards and recognitions, including a Mayoral
Proclamation from Hon. Edward G. Rendell (June 25,
1994), recognition from the Latin American Clergy of
Philadelphia and Vicinity (September 19, 1995), and the
Leadership Award presented by the Pennsylvania House of
Representatives (June 28, 1996).
Our Vision
Children's Safe Harbor, Inc. seeks to eliminate juvenile
delinquency, poverty and other social ills of the world by
providing a safe harbor for children.
It is in this safe harbor that children will learn
tolerance and respect, find freedom and expression through
arts and culture, and ultimately develop into strong,
intelligent, and morally-sound individuals.
We envision a community anchored in hope and love,
where children are respected and heard, and where they are
encouraged to develop their inner-strength and spirituality
to guide them into adulthood and ultimately pass on their
life lessons and values to future generations.
Our Mission
Children's
Safe Harbor, Inc.
is a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting the well-being of
children ages 4 through 12 years in order to prepare them for the
challenges and opportunities of adolescence and adulthood.
We achieve our mission by offering innovative programs
designed to meet the cultural, spiritual, educational, physical and
social needs of children and their families.
· cultivate moral values grounded in love, respect, trust and
generosity;
· foster the emotional and spiritual connections needed to build inner-strength
and a positive self-esteem;
· strengthen capacities for sound decision-making and self-reliance in the face
of hardship;
· encourage cultural and linguistic ties to familial heritage
and roots;
· promote creativity and artistic expression;
· provide education addressing physical health and fitness.
