The Haven for Women

Manay Gina became the President and Chairperson of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI) in 1992. Since ninety percent of the CSFI members are women, it was decided that her first project would be about fellow women, specifically the most marginalized---the women in crisis.

Thus, her first two terms as CSFI president is defined by her landmark achievement in championing the cause of abused women with the establishment of the nine-building The Haven for Women in Alabang. It was inaugurated in September 30, 1995.

Its main goal is to rehabilitate the abused women and help them to reclaim their God-given right to live with dignity.

The rest of her term as CSFI president was spent in the construction of the 15 Regional Centers for Women, nationwide, to serve the victims of abused in the provinces.

In 2001, Mrs. de Venecia returned as President and Chairperson of CSFI. This time, she rallied the congressional spouses to develop the Phase 2 of The Haven for Women.

In 2007, The Haven for Women reached its completion with the addition of the KC de Venecia Recreational Center in memory of her lively daughter, KC.

From its original nine buildings, The Haven for Women, through the years is transformed into a 16-building complex with state-of-the-art facilities making it as the most complete rehabilitation facility in the country.

It has eight cottages, a transition cottage, an air-conditioned nursery, a multi-purpose center, a mini-hospital, an activity center, an administration office, a library, a livelihood center and a multi-purpose gym.

From the time it was opened in 1995, The Haven for Women has successfully rehabilitated more than 17, 000 abused women. Many of them are victims of rape, incest, forced prostitution, physical and emotional abuse, abandonment and rejection.