Stairway runs a Family Home Program which accepts boys aged 13-17 for a period of one year. The residential program provides a home-like environment to streetchildren who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by their families.

At Stairway, the children get rid of their addictions, get healthy, and have the opportunity to act their age through play and sports. They not only learn how to read and write, they also learn that they are important, and that they matter. They are taught their rights and responsibilities, and given skills to deal better with themselves and with other people. Individual and group processing sessions provided by the psychologist and the social worker also ensure that their emotional well-being is taken care of and their sense of self restored.

The following activities are implemented in the residential program:

Treatment of Tuberculosis
Over the past four years, Stairway has been accepting children with tuberculosis for medical treatment. Tuberculosis is rampant in the Philippines and street children are very susceptible to contracting it.  Poor living condition, lack of sanitation, and the unpredictability of the their lives make it difficult to treat the disease effectively and to bring it under control.

In order to ensure proper and effective treatment of tuberculosis, children at risk must undergo DOTS (Direct Observed Treatment Strategy), which is an effective strategy used by WHO for combating and preventing the spread of the disease. The combination of employing DOTS along with Stairway’s natural, pristine surroundings makes it an ideal setting for treating children at risk with tuberculosis. So far, Stairway has enjoyed a 100 percent success rate for treating children with tuberculosis in the program.

Non-Formal Education
Stairway provides non-formal education for children who have had little or no education.  The Basic Alternative Learning System (BALS) has been implemented in the organization, and through Academic Assessment, the intellectual capacities of children are categorized from Basic (zero level of knowledge) to Advanced (can comprehend). 

Classes are small which allow for individual attention and individual pacing for learning.  Subjects include Reading, Writing, Math, History, Science, Computer Skills, Filipino and English, Art, Home Economics, and Critical Thinking.

Practical Skills
While in residence, the children learn a variety of income-generating skills, such as making bracelets, candles, stone jewelry, tie-dye, dreamcatchers, earrings, and bamboo crafts.  These skills help to provide them with an income while in residence and can also give them an alternative for making a livelihood after leaving Stairway.

Sports and Recreation
Sports and recreation play an integral part of the program.  With the surrounding beaches and mountains, the children can enjoy a wide variety of games and sports.  The positive new sensations they experience help to deter them from the negative habits of the streets, thus encouraging them to develop healthy minds and bodies.

Psychosocial Interventions
At the same time that the children’s physical and educational needs are met, Stairway also ensures that psychosocial interventions are given to help children become emotionally and psychologically healthy. They are assessed when they come in, and again when they are released. Issues identified in the initial assessment are addressed through group and individual processing, with both the psychologist and social worker collaborating to monitor their development.

Creative Expressions
Central to Stairway’s program are the creative expressions that serve as both a tool for therapy and for rehabilitation.  Effective on so many levels in the child's own personal development and growth, the creative expressions allow the space for exploring, and releasing hidden strengths, gifts and potentials.

Trainings and Capacity Building

Stairway provides trainings and workshops on children’s rights and on the prevention of child sexual abuse.  These trainings vary in terms of duration, targeted audiences, methodologies and intended effects. These trainings are all built upon the animation toolkits Stairway has produced, and are intended not only to increase knowledge, but more so, to change attitudes surrounding the issue of child sexual abuse.