Street Children Education
A Lingap Center Outreach Program
Beginning in 2008, a street educator from the Lingap Center begain to go to the city park each day. There she teaches those children who are unable to attend school for a variety of reasons, reading, basic arithmetic and hygiene. The program has grown to include an average of 85 children each day ... We provide them with a lunch, which is often their only meal of the day....
The Lingap Center is recognized by the President of the Philippines
On January 6, 2006, John was named an "Adopted Son of Toledo City" by the Toledo City Council and Mayor Arlene Zambo. Later, he was named one of the "Outstanding Toledano's" for 2006 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo!
Powerful Dreams
Reprinted with permission from Jackson Magazine
Former CMS Energy Vice President John Drake has always been an early riser. But on one particular morning, he could not sleep and headed to work earlier than normal. Thoughts of how he was going to organize and run an orphanage thousands of miles away....
Latest Newsletter
This update letter will be a bit different from my previous editions. I typically try to talk of all the many good things happening at the Lingap Center and there are many. I do this to convey the sense of hope and promise that the Lingap Center is providing for our many disadvantaged children and to demonstrate how you are helping to make this life change possible.
This edition however, is a very sad story but a story with a very happy ending...
The Lingap Center and John Drake
are featured in Faith Magazine
Reprinted with permission from Faith Magazine
It was common for children to be sprawled out on the sidewalk sound asleep. The locals would simply step right over them as if they weren't even there. I was deeply troubled each time I saw a child living like this, but it was everywhere...
Third Saturday
A Lingap Center Outreach Program
On the third Saturday of each month, a children's mass is held, followed by a soup kitchen ... During regular months, attendance numbers range from 200 - 600. However January tends to be the most heavily attended month. In January of 2009, over 800 children attended. In January of 2010, over 1200 attended and in January of 2011, over 5000 were present. 7000 meals were provided on that day!
Alumni Spotlight in Hillsdale Magazine
Reprinted with permission from Hillsdale College
Alumni spotlight: John Drake, '74, and "his Kids"
giving Filipino orphans a Better life
Hillsdale native John Drake, '74, recently retired from a 32-year career as senior vice president of human resources and administrative services at Cms Energy Corporation/Consumers Energy Company in nearby Jackson to focus on...