DAWN's Social Services program component serves as point of entry in reaching out to distressed women migrants and their Japanese-Filipino children (JFCs). Having started with only 30 women and 42 JFCs in 1996, DAWN continues to expand and strengthen its clientele year after year. To date, DAWN has handled cases of 383 women and 502 JFCs who actively participate in DAWN’s activities and need continuous intervention and assistance.

The number of DAWN members is increasing with an average of 3-5 calls a week inquiring about the possible assistance that DAWN can provide them.

The program addresses the members’ immediate and/or short-term needs. In a way, it provides for them a line of hope as they decide to take the long road back to rebuilding their lives.

• Case management

The circumstances of each member are properly documented for appropriate support interventions. Developments are closely monitored to ensure effectiveness of empowerment processes.

• Airport/Travel assistance

DAWN provides assistance to women members in facilitating necessary travels to and/or from Japan under very compelling circumstances (i.e. lives are endangered if they remained in Japan longer, claims for support from Japanese fathers are jeopardized if they cannot be physically present in Japan)

• Temporary shelter

DAWN provides its Manila-based Center as temporary shelter for migrant women (returning and returned) and their JFCs in cases where their immediate circumstances pose threats to their lives or aggravate their already distressed situations.

• Counseling

Competent and appropriate counseling interventions are undertaken with the women clients, and members of their immediate families if necessary, at various stages of the empowerment process. The effective management of each case relies heavily on the soundness of such counseling sessions.

• Educational assistance

DAWN assists women members of failed cross-cultural relations/marriages who may not yet be fully financially independent or adequate, in supporting the educational requirements of their JFCs.

• Health assistance

As in educational assistance, DAWN assists such members in their needed health care services.

• Legal and paralegal assistance

The legal and paralegal assistance that DAWN provides its clients focuses on cases for recognition and financial support/ documentation, divorce, violation of contracts, non-payment of salaries and benefits, work-related problems.