About Us

Mission

Promote the integral development of the person with justice, dignity, respect and love, recognizing that we are children of God and brothers of others.

Serving a generational range with multiple social, educational, economic, and spiritual needs.

Use intercession, educational and technological training and community self-management as institutional strategies.

Vision

The comprehensive development of the human being to the fullest, within communities that are rediscovered, re-educated and revitalized, and thus give glory to God.

Values

Virtue that is achieved on the basis of respect for the dignity of the human being. Each one must consider the other as "another self".

Strengthen the capacity of each human being to achieve their fullness.

Consideration, deference, courtesy that we show through love.

Valuing oneself by recognizing that he is a creation of God and therefore has the dignity of a child of God.

Good affection felt towards a person; expression of generosity without expecting reward.

Reasonable, fair and decent action of a human being.

Virtue of communication of spiritual rather than material goods.

Virtue of firmness and perseverance in the execution of the purposes.

Firm hope that you have in a person, security, good faith, courage and vigor to act.

Courtesy with which one offers oneself to the disposition of others. “I served and saw that joy was in service” (Tagore).

Because every human being deserves a full life, it is the humanity that you want for other people.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is committed to transformation through quality programs and services within communities that rediscover, re-educate, and revitalize.

Absent in the photo: Dr. Ramón Durán Santini, Humberto Laboy, Lourdes M. Ortiz Berríos, P. José A. Basols, SchP and Luz E. Carrero.

Board of Directors

Luis Alberto Ferré Rangel

Dr. Ramón Durán Santini

Humberto Laboy

Antonio Muñoz

Jorge J. Fuentes

Rosana M. Roig Vélez

Ángel Torres

Jorge E. Marchand

Lawrence N. Seilhamer

Mission Protectorate

Lourdes M. Ortiz Berríos

Rvdo. Vicente A. Pasqualetto, ST

Sister Mildred Vázquez, MSBT

P. José A. Basols, SchP

Luz E. Carrero

Luis Alberto Ferré Rangel

President

Dr. Ramón Durán Santini

Vice president

Rosana M. Roig Vélez

Director

Humberto Laboy

Director

Ángel Torres

Director

Jorge E. Marchand

Director

Lawrence N. Seilhamer

Director

Jorge J. Fuentes

Director

Antonio Muñoz Grajales

Director

Lourdes M. Ortiz Berríos

Protector General of the Mission

Rvdo. Vicente A. Pasqualetto, ST

Protector of the Mission

Sister Mildred Vázquez, MSBT

Protector of the Mission

P. José A. Basols, SchP

Protector of the Mission

Luz E. Carrero

Protector of the Mission

History

For more than 50 years we have transformed the lives of thousands of Puerto Ricans and have helped build strong communities through service and education.

1969

The Orientation and Services Center is founded on the ground floor of the convent of the Missionary Servants of the Holy Trinity on the Beach. 

Sister Isolina helps the community to organize itself, to know its needs and to look for alternatives for improvement. The motto selected for the work continues to guide the Centros Sor Isolina Ferré: "The Glory of God is man and woman in their fullness."

1970

The Antonio Ferré Bacallao Arts and Crafts Center is established, the first vocational education program that offered welding, carpentry, and industrial sewing workshops. 

The first federal proposal baptized by Sister Isolina as Alert Youth and Community is approved.

1971

Inauguration of the Centros Sor Isolina Ferré (CSIF) in Tabaiba; as well as the tutoring center La Casa del Balcón and the Occupational Development Center of the South.

1972

The Beach and Alternative Education Center (CEPA) is created, which made it possible for many Ponceños to take the ninth grade and fourth year exams.

1973

The Antonio Ferré Bacallao Award is established to recognize the Center's collaborators and the Padre Noell Award to highlight the dedication of the employees.

The Technical Programs for the Community unit is created and the photography workshop is inaugurated.

1974

The Mini-University of Life summer experience begins. 

The Little Beach Shop opens, the forerunner of Artesanías Tabaiba, as an instrument to achieve the economic development of the residents.

1976

The Adoptive Grandparents program arises in which elderly people work hand in hand to help children who need it.

1977

The successful Equestrian Club is founded to serve a group of young people between the ages of 16 and 20 who had dropped out of school and dedicated themselves to racing horses and mistreating animals. 

Modeling and refinement, ballet and cosmetology classes begin to be offered; and different ceramic, photography and woodcarving workshops are created as educational alternatives.

1980

“Otro Camino” is established, an alternative, individualized and integrated education program; and the Tabaiba Crafts and Gardens of the Coffee Plantation Program is created.

1981

$75,000 raised in successful “Brazos Abiertos” telethon.

1983

The Popular Education Forum is held with Paulo Freire, a Brazilian educator, in order to develop educational options to arouse the interest of children and young people in studies.

1984

The Orientation and Services Center changes its name to Centros Sor Isolina Ferré, Inc.

1986

A Service Center is opened in Brisas del Caribe in Ponce and Iso-Rapid, a training program for young messengers, is established.

1987

The Sor Isolina Ferré Center is founded in Caimito.

1988

Trinity College of Puerto Rico is founded, a vocational post-secondary educational institution to prepare young people for high-demand short careers.

1990

Services begin to be provided in the Puerto de Jobos community, in Guayama. Later, in 1998, the Center moved to the Puente de Jobos sector.

1991

The Assistance Program for Occupational and Social Improvement (PASOS), known today as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, is established.

1993

The work of the Centros Sor Isolina Ferré arrives at the Villa España residential complex in San Juan and the Plaza de la Santísima Trinidad is inaugurated at the Sor Isolina Ferré Center in Tabaiba, Ponce.

1999

The Meditation Pavilion is opened in Tabaiba and the Rayo de Luz program begins, which brought services and hope to various public housing projects until 2003. 

Sister Isolina is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton.

2000

On August 3, 2000, Sister Isolina died at the age of 85.

2001

José Luis Díaz Cotto assumes the position of chief executive officer of the Centros Sor Isolina Ferré. 

The Cariño y Vida I Program is established in Ponce, aimed at preventing school dropouts and preventing early pregnancies.

2002

To honor the memory of Sister Isolina, the House of Representatives institutes the Sister Isolina Ferré Award for Excellence in Service to Others. It is awarded annually and recognizes people who have distinguished themselves by their selfless service to others.

2004

The "Cariño y Vida" II programs are born in Cantera and Ponce, and Cariño and Vida III in Canovanas.

2005

The Alternative Psychosocial Academic Center (CAPA) is created, a program for young people to finish their fourth year of high school.

2006

Opening of the Multidisciplinary Services Complex in Tabaiba

2007

The Centros Sor Isolina Ferré expand their presence in public housing with the Lighthouse of Hope program sponsored by the Public Housing Administration.

2011

The new facilities of the Caimito Multidisciplinary Services Complex are inaugurated. The CAPA Program begins in Villa España.

2012

The Centros Sor Isolina Ferré manage to positively impact the lives of 63,665 people. The Sor Isolina Ferré Center in Caimito celebrates its 25th Anniversary.

2013

Trinity College of Puerto Rico receives accreditation to expand its academic offerings and offer associate degrees in nursing, information systems, and office systems.

2014

The Centros Sor Isolina Ferré in Guayama begin to offer services to the population of children with special needs. 

Sister Isolina's centenary is celebrated. 

2015

The Centros Sor Isolina Ferré celebrate the 45th anniversary of their foundation in Playa de Ponce; and in Guayama they celebrate their 25th anniversary and inaugurate the Inclusive Early Education Center.

2016

The Centros Sor Isolina Ferré, together with El Trotamundos, publish the coloring book "I learn values ​​with my friend Isolina", aimed at promoting the values ​​of service, compassion and respect.

2017

After the passage of Hurricane María on September 20, 2017, the Centros Sor Isolina Ferré focused on providing help in the communities of the southern, eastern, central and metropolitan areas through the initiative “Solidarity Hug with Puerto Rico”Food, basic necessities and cleaning items, solar lamps, mosquito nets, water filters, household items, mattresses, as well as roof repair and emotional support services were delivered to families and individuals. Our hug reached 405 communities in 52 towns on the island.

2018

The Sor Isolina Ferré Center opens in Canovanas.

The 2018 Effectiveness Validation Study of the Centros Sor Isolina Ferré is published, revealing that prevention, community intervention and education programs have an average effectiveness rate of 96% in preventing school dropout, juvenile delinquency and pregnancy among teenagers

2019

The 50th anniversary of the foundation is commemorated with the motto “50 Years Creating the Future”. 

After the retirement of Dr. José Luis Díaz Cotto, the Lcdo. Luis E. Ortiz Ortiz assumes the position of chief executive officer of the Centros Sor Isolina Ferré.

The designation was obtained as the first Envision Center in Puerto Rico.

2021

Start of Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The federal proposal of CDBG-DR funds for our Business Developer is obtained.

2022

We continue to write our story.

Values

Virtue that is achieved on the basis of respect for the dignity of the human being. Each one must consider the other as "another self".

Strengthen the capacity of each human being to achieve their fullness.

Consideration, deference, courtesy that we show through love.

Good affection felt towards a person; expression of generosity without expecting reward.

Valuing oneself by recognizing that he is a creation of God and therefore has the dignity of a child of God.

Reasonable, fair and decent action of a human being.

Virtue of communication of spiritual rather than material goods.

Virtue of firmness and perseverance in the execution of the purposes.

Firm hope that you have in a person, security, good faith, courage and vigor to act.

Courtesy with which one offers oneself to the disposition of others. “I served and saw that joy was in service” (Tagore).

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