The Academy of Hope

The Academy of Hope embodies a new beginning for many Filipinos with mental illness. It was founded by my father, Rudin A. Gonzales and established in 2008 as an offshoot of The One Algon Place Foundation Inc.

The Academy is a training facility geared towards the restoration of an individual's total health, the development of his skills and the realization of his full potential. It provides a home-like atmosphere and offers dormitories and private room accomodations.

The Academy of Hope embodies the united dreams and hopes for recovery of individuals with mental illness.

Treatment of indivduals with mental illness is usually limited with symptom control. This usually leaves the patient dependent and disabled. The Academy of Hope belives that individuals have the right, at the very least to achieve acceptable level of autonomy and at most, to realize their dreams and aspirations.

The academy's students will include any individual with an Axis I or Axis II disorder. These include: psychoses, mood, anxiety, cognitive, developmental, and substance related disorders, mental retardation and personality disorders. They must have achieved a degree of emotional and mental stability.

The therapy team will consist of Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurses, Attendants, Occupational Therapists, Sped Teachers, Social Workers and non professional caregivers.

The academy's core value centers on "living a life for others and touching other people's lives." Life is therefore woth living when there is self worth and meaning in the indivdual within a happy family setting and a value centere community.

The dream of helping transform individuals with severe mental illness into symbols of change and advocates of acceptance begins here at The Academy of Hope.

Restoring Dignity
The students willinitially be assessed for their readiness for change. Those with symptoms and behavior that may hinder their performance in the different training programs will be temporarily admitted for stabalization

- Comprehensive Medical Examination and diagnostic work up.
- Holistic Pyschiatrict Treatment
- Psychological Evaluation and treatment
- 24 Hour Nursing Care
- Compassionate and quality care

Rebuilding Life
The Academy of Hope respects the right of students for self determinism. Services will focus on the strengths and interests of the students. The students and staff will then collaborate to develop a curriculum customized for their individual goals.

The following programs are available:
- Leadership training
- Lecture series on Illness and Relapse Prevention
- Social Skills Training
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Art, Music and Sports Therapy
- Value Reorrientation and Spiritual Services
- Skills Training
- Special Education Program
- Vocational Training
- Resource Development

Reshaping the future
The final phase of of the program will focus on aftercare and community reintegration. The student will now be the model and mentor of incoming and new students. They will serve as an inspiration to others. At the same time, the senior students will undergo apprenticeship on his chosen field of our society while at the same time living in the supportive enviroment of the Acedemy.

- Supported employment
- Mentoring Program
- Community Linkage Service
- Family Reintegration
- Aftercare program