The Drop-in Center provided most-needed amenities that were not available on the streets – a place to rest, bathe and eat. Street work complemented activities and services at the Center, which soon included therapy and counseling, and alternative education. Through information dissemination on the streets where the girls are, pioneering staff introduced the Drop-in Center where children are welcome as they are. Initially, the girls went to the center for the free food and water, but what eventually sustained their visits were the other services that Tambayan provided.
By hanging-out at Tambayan, street girls were able to talk to responsive adults about their concerns and predicaments, without the risk of being judged or stigmatized. Thus, efforts were primarily directed towards making the girls learn about child rights, addressing risk-taking behaviour (including reproductive health and substance abuse), as well as building-on their capacities to help themselves.