Loving Yourself Forward Inc

Loving Yourself Forward (LYF) works with girls from urban-poor families in Cebu City, Philippines, most of them between 12 and 20, with outreach in nearby Talisay. Around 48 girls are in our study program, and more than 70 get some form of support.

The girls tell us what they need, and we help with that. Most often it is one of these:

• Staying in school. Weekly online study sessions, and a small weekly stipend for girls who keep showing up. We are adding Khan Academy maths, aiming for every girl to reach at least a Grade 6 level.

• Young mothers and their babies. A large part of our work is with girls who are pregnant or already mothers: medical care, food, and steady support through pregnancy and after the baby arrives.

• Crises. When a family runs out of food, a girl gets sick, or the rent can't be paid, we step in fast, so one bad month doesn't end her schooling.

• Families. Livelihood help and small loans, so families can earn their own way.

• Connections. We find the local organizations, government programs and partners best placed to help each girl, and walk her through getting that help.

Our staff in Cebu know each girl personally. They meet the girls in person, follow up, and from this month assess every girl twice a year, so we can see what is working and change what isn't.

LYF is small on purpose: a local team in Cebu, run close to the ground, with donations going to the girls and the people who work with them. Patrick Bernard founded LYF, and it became a US 501(c)(3) public charity in 2024 (EIN 99-2398558).