The Office of the Extension Program, formerly called the Wesleyan Community Outreach Program or WESCOP, started in 1954 as the extension services of the former Philippine Wesleyan College.

It went full-blast in 1970 with the assistance of the Christian Children’s Fund, Inc. (CCF), enabling the University to reach out to 24 towns in Nueva Ecija and five barangays in Bataan.

When the CCF program was phased out, the University continued to serve 11 barangays in Cabanatuan City, extending its services to the Home for Girls in Palayan City.

In 2005, from departmental implementation, the program shifted its work to an integrated one, resulting in the convergence of various resources and expertise to identified communities.

Fulfilling its role to serve as the University’s arm to serve the community, the Office of the Extension Program now has outreach services in the Cabanatuan City barangays of Kalikid Norte, Magsaysay Sur, Mabini Extension and Pangatian, and the Nueva Ecija Home for Girls.

Vision

An empowered and sustainable community with deep sense of faith in God and love for humanity

Mission

  • Consciousness raising and capability building
  • Community organizing (Participatory Human Development)
  • Networking and advocacy

Goals

  • For faculty, staff and students – social awareness, deep concern, commitment, involvement and social change
  • For the community: Social change, community upliftment and community development

Program Thrusts

  1. Organization Building – leadership training, enhancement of group values
  2. Education and Literacy Program – literacy for children and adults, values formation, Bible studies
  3. Health, Nursing and Nutrition Program – training/seminar on personal/community health, supplemental feeding with nutrition education, medical and dental mission, limited financial assistance for medical needs
  4. Livelihood Program – basic management skills, costing, budgeting, credit assistance, smoked-fish production, mushroom culture
  5. Environmental Program – seminar on the implementation of solid waste management, tree planting, disaster preparedness and risk management, public order and safety
  6. Technology Development – computer literacy program, training on technical skills like electrical and electronics

Services to students

  • Gives students the opportunity to get involved in community service
  • Prepares students to be active global citizens by engaging them in service activities that enhance the quality of life
  • Serves as an opportunity to apply academic learning to real human needs and make the knowledge usable, integrating and elaborating on their knowledge and increases the likelihood of transferring theoretical knowledge to actual practice through sustainable community programs such as:
    • Health and Nutrition Programs
    • Technology Development Programs
    • Livelihood Programs like credit assistance, mushroom production, organic farming
    • Spiritual Enhancement
    • Social and Moral Values enrichment
    • Education Advancement and Youth Development
    • Environment Protection through peace and order, security and disaster risk reduction management
    • Research and Extension
  • Increases students’ spiritual, personal interpersonal and social responsibilities
  • Provides students with valuable learning experiences
  • Helps to broaden students’ understanding of local service opportunities on- and off-campus through current events that relate to humanitarian and environmental work and demonstrates the  importance of activism
  • Connects students’ academic learning and leadership development
  • Enhances students’ leadership skills and interests

Sustainability

The Extension Program seeks students who are involved with their communities, who value community concerns and hope to advocate positive change through on-going work of community organization and collaboration.

Faculty and students are encouraged to participate in sustainable community activities. Periodic monitoring of community outreach programs and activities are done. The University also utilizes a centralized organizational structure which is in line with the vision of the University of providing  quality education.

Outside funding is also encouraged from alumni and other donors.