Karidat celebrates 25 years of social service

Karidat Social Services, the premier social service arm in the CNMI, is celebrating its 25th year of service to the community on May 5.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta proclaimed the month of May the Karidat Month on Wednesday in recognition of the group’s achievements on Saipan.

Babauta said that Karidat has been one of the leading providers of help for the island’s people. Before government-sponsored social programs, Karidat was already helping the community, he said. “Their name has become synonymous with caring and generosity for a generation.”

He said Karidat has never refused assistance to anyone based on religion, race, place of birth, age or sex. Even today, he said, one of the first agencies people in need turn to is Karidat.

The governor said he is urging the community to support Karidat through donations. He said the recent influx of Chinese workers who were laid off has severely strained Karidat’s budget.

Karidat director Angie Guerrero said the social service institute has been strengthened through the years by realizing the need to help the people.

She said Karidat started out as a family center and a teen service way back in 1980; they have added several programs to meet the requirements of the community’s needy members.

“We have added more programs and our latest addition is the Guma Esperansa,” she said.

Guma Esperansa was established, she said, because of the rising number of domestic violence cases. “And we want to stop that.” She said the social service group want to help people who are victims of such violence at home.

She said during the proclamation that it was Chalan Kanoa Diocese Bishop Tomas A. Camacho’s vision to help the needy that started Karidat, which has emerged as one of the leading social services arm in the CNMI.

Guerrero said she is deeply thankful to all community members who have been supporting the vision and mission of Karidat.

Bishop Camacho recalled how he came about establishing Karidat, saying, “Twenty-five years I saw the need to have a social service office that would address the needs of the community.”

Camacho said the main purpose then was to entertain youngsters in the community. He said they were able to acquire two ping-pong tables for recreation of the teenagers in a garage where they also had their office.

Guerrero said Karidat has lined up several fundraising events this May so it could continue providing services to the entire CNMI community.