The Contribution of Halfway House "Lentera Ilmu" in the Empowerment of Street Children in Jember

Abstract

The phenomenon of street children is a problem that will not cease to be debated in both academic and practical studies. This case should be seriously treated since the street children role as the future generation and if it is not immediately overcome, it will threaten the nation's future. Indonesian nation with age range between 10 and 20 years of the younger generation today is they who will drive a great ship of this nation. The establishment of halfway houses is an alternative way to overcome problems of street children. Halfway house is a place of convergence which is informal, where the children meet each other, gain information and guidance early before getting the further coaching process. However in its implementation, halfway house still faces some problems related to its establishment goals and its functions to optimize the empowerment of street children. Starting from this phenomenon, especially in Jember, the researcher is attracted to conduct a research study on how is the contribution of halfway house “Lentera Ilmu” in the empowerment of street children in Jember.This study uses a qualitative research approach of case studies.The research results showed that the halfway house “Lentera Ilmu” contributes to the handling of street children in Jember, like as the meeting place (meeting point) between social workers and street children, as a center for the diagnosis and referral namely a place to make diagnosis of the needs and problems of street children and referral social services for street children, as the facilitator and the mediator between the street children and their families, substitute families, and other institutions. The halfway house “Lentera Ilmu” also roles as a heaven of science protection that protects the children from various forms of violence and sexual perversion or other behaviors. The activities of development program for the street children in the halfway house “Lentera Ilmu” include coaching and mentoring, entrepreneurship service program for street children in the form of skills development (such as screen printing, sewing, and electro) in accordance with their conditions and interests, providing capital assistance and guidance of business for the street children in both individuals and groups and also finding suitable jobs or internships for street children.