At-Risk-Youth

Forever Grateful to Don Bosco is a moving tribute to the transformative work of the Salesians of Don Bosco with children and youth at risk. Through heartfelt success stories, the book chronicles the journeys of street children, orphans, and marginalized youth who found hope, dignity, and purpose through Don Bosco’s shelters and educational initiatives. It highlights the compassionate outreach, vocational training, and holistic care that helped these young lives flourish. With reflections from Salesians, benefactors, and alumni, the book celebrates 30 years of Shelter Don Bosco’s mission, embodying the spirit of St. John Bosco’s preventive system of love, reason, and faith. 

This Directory is designed to support young adults at risk as they transition beyond the age of 18 and leave care-giving institutions. It offers essential guidance and practical resources to help them build independent and fulfilling lives. The Directory includes up-to-date contact information—such as phone numbers and addresses—of after-care centres, support services, job placement agencies, and other relevant networks. It serves as a reliable companion for navigating the next phase of their journey with confidence and clarity.

A Rapid Assessment of Street Involved Children was conducted in 2013 on a collaborative basis by the Don Bosco National Forum for Young at Risk (YaR), New Delhi, Don Bosco Research Centre (DBRC) Mumbai and the YaR centres of 16 cities in India. This project was first of its kind to assess and monitor the situation of street involved children in 16 cities in India. The Don Bosco Research Centre, Mumbai acted as the facilitator for the study and 16 cities included: Delhi, Chandigarh, Imphal, Shillong, Dimapur, Guwahati, Kolkata, Mumbai, Goa, Baroda, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Chennai, Salem and Thiruvananthapuram. The study was primarily aimed at providing an estimation of street involved children in each city and along with the socio-demographic and economic facts that would eventually influence child centred policies and programmes and adequate budgetary allocation.Major findings of the study included a census enumeration of 129896 children, with 90122 boys and 39774 girls in 16 cities. Delhi accounted for the highest number of street involved children (69976), followed by Mumbai with 16,059 and the least number of children were found in Thiruvananthapuram (140). Children between the ages 10-15 years constituted the highest number indicating the propensity of this age group towards risk taking. Interview with random sample of 3993 children in the age group of 8-17 years showed children residing in the slums outnumbered orphaned abandoned or run away children on the street indicating a growing trend of slum-spill. More than half the children lived either with single or both parents, primary level of education was generally observed to be the maximum level of education attained by the children interviewed, with a high rate of drop out. In addition, the growing incidence of slum spill, families surviving on streets, project displaced homeless families all contributed to the street children population. Street as the main dwelling place was seen in cities like Delhi, Chennai and Baroda. Life on the streets was revealed to be strongly linked to poverty. Families who were economically and socially marginalized had become seriously dysfunctional, and this placed their children in circumstances that resulted in them leaving home and trying to survive in the often unprotected and hazardous street milieu and many of them engaging in economic activities to augment family income. A high volume of rural to urban and inter and intra state migration due to disaster or development project have not only left many rootless and roofless but stripped the children off from their education and right to live with dignity.In the light of the rapid assessment survey, following recommendations are suggested: Ensure education to all children (up to 17) under RTE and not only to children between 6-14 years. 

Over the past few decades, the problem of development induced displacement has become larger, more complex and geographically more widespread. Often, situations of internal displacement require communities, local, national and international authorities to develop innovative responses quickly. We believe that strategies for reinforcing the protection of vulnerable populations should help promote the stability required for their long-term recovery. This compilation intends to provide practitioners a variety of examples from the field of development induced displacement, based upon the experiences of those who have wrestled with this phenomenon and its manifestations in different political, cultural and developmental contexts. This manual serves to identify and address some issues of overriding concern such as empowerment of women, promotion of linkages among local authorities and so on. 

This book examines the complex phenomenon of development induced displacement caused by urban infrastructure projects in Mumbai. It attempts to view the development debate from the angle of ‘real people’- those who actually bear its ‘real costs’- and focuses on experiences to reveal the dynamics underlying each situation. It studies the consequences of such displacement on high risk groups like youth and women. While social costs have been identified, there is no blanket critique of development, but rather an evolution of a new resettlement paradigm which views the flux caused by displacement not as a pathology of modernity but as integral to development. 

This manual explores the process of community participation in terms of the numerous elements and sub-processes that it involves. It has elements of conceptual discourse as well as lessons from actual practice. It is meant to serve as a guide for those with an interest in community development who wish to enhance their understanding of some of the fundamentals of community participation- the concept, the process and resources- and who want to initiate or further develop community participation processes. The process is what has been stressed in this manual. 

This book presents a holistic profile of street children in Mumbai, based on research carried out over a period of five years. It contains micro-studies of different aspects of their everyday lives including their food habits, health problems, high-risk behaviours and the NGO services they access. It offers reflective analysis and comparisons with slum children and other potential at-risk groups. The findings pertaining to multifarious aspects of street children’s lives are synthesized in this book. 

This publication explores ways and means to plan and develop strategies to help make the slum community more self-sufficient. Community groups undertake the task of guiding and stimulating educational development and understand the logical steps involved in the planning process. The manual also provides a range of activities for social workers to carry out in the community, to try and build up the whole community rather than just a few members. Stress is laid on education of marginalized children between 5-15 years of age, and more importantly on the education of families in the community- without which all developmental efforts would lack sustainability. 

This manual tries to integrate knowledge of children into a framework that facilitates action. Divided into three major sections comprising basic skills in counseling, the process of counseling and issues involved, it lays emphasis on working together with vulnerable children to understand their subjective life experiences and the dynamic interplay of various inter-relationships. Each topic is substantiated by real-life examples or learning exercises, and encourages the readers to place themselves in the role of the social worker, internalize learning and practice specific counseling skills. 

The phenomenon of adolescence has always evoked considerable interest among researchers and all those involved with their care. This book is a collection of 12 selected research and review articles contributed by experts in the field. Youngsters pose a constant challenge due mainly to their erratic temperament and shifting moods. The book presents an academic overview from acclaimed practitioners and covers topics as diverse as health, high risk behavior, pro social behavior, substance abuse, runaways and so on. This book is meant to enable all those working with youth to chart out a plan of action in building social capital and bringing about meaningful change in the lives of young people. 

A participatory study pertaining to the development of marginalized adolescents was carried out by the International Federation of Catholic Universities, Paris, in association with Shelter Don Bosco, Mumbai. This book comprising six chapters, focuses on this vulnerable yet neglected section of society, those adolescents who survive on the fringes, who have forsaken the joys of childhood in order to take on all the burdens of adulthood. The book is meant to serve as a stimulus to action for all those responsible for the welfare of children and youth at risk, to enable them to fulfill their promises for the future. 

An outreach program is one of the most powerful tools used as a support system for marginalized children and adolescents (between 3 and 18 years of age). The aim is to strengthen the child and build up his capacities in his natural setting, rather than to bring him to an institution where, in the course of his stay, he frequently loses his edge, his resilience, and instead becomes dependent. This volume is targeted towards enhancing the street enablers diversity of intervention at different levels of interaction with children and adolescents – it comprises counseling strategies for individual and group contact, as well as planned sessions on issues like drugs, HIV/AIDS, education, health, hygiene, group life, sex education, entertainment, planning for their future and so on. This manual will be a handy reference guide to all outreach workers and the organizations working with marginalized children. 

Education plays a vital role in improving the quality of life of the people. Despite the efforts of governmental and non-governmental organizations to bring all children into the fold of formal education, many children still continue to be out of school. Low socio-economic status of parents constrains them to send their children to earn at an early age, rather than to school. Therein lies the need to cover these children under the non-formal education scheme.This manual on non-formal education (mainly for children between the ages 3 and 13) aims to bring about overall development of these children while at the same time gives them a chance to learn skills which are practically applicable in their daily life, so that they may enter mainstream society. It comprises short games and activities that a social/field worker can use while imparting non-formal education. It indicates different ways of explaining a single concept to the children, all cost efficient and at the same time ideal for the setting in which the class is conducted. 

This is the first in the series of four and is targeted towards adolescents between 11 and 16 years of age. Meant primarily for use by staff working with vulnerable adolescents, this manual provides a comprehensive list of participatory learning activities, which will be very useful for individual and group assessment. It offers a range of interesting activities, verbal and non-verbal, which may be used ad per requirements. Learning takes place through use of diverse mediums such as focus group discussions, drawings, role-plays, story narration, outdoor games songs etc.- all of which will help sustain interest of not merely the target group but also the staff. 

आउटरीच कार्यक्रम हाशिए पर पड़े बच्चों और किशोरों (3 से 18 वर्ष की आयु के बीच) के लिए सहायता प्रणाली के रूप में उपयोग किए जाने वाले सबसे शक्तिशाली उपकरणों में से एक है। इसका उद्देश्य बच्चे को मजबूत बनाना और उसकी प्राकृतिक सेटिंग में उसकी क्षमताओं का निर्माण करना है, बजाय इसके कि उसे किसी ऐसे संस्थान में लाया जाए, जहाँ उसके रहने के दौरान, वह अक्सर अपनी धार, अपनी लचीलापन खो देता है, और इसके बजाय निर्भर हो जाता है। यह खंड बच्चों और किशोरों के साथ बातचीत के विभिन्न स्तरों पर हस्तक्षेप की विविधता को बढ़ाने के लिए लक्षित है - इसमें व्यक्तिगत और समूह संपर्क के लिए परामर्श रणनीतियाँ शामिल हैं, साथ ही ड्रग्स, एचआईवी/एड्स, शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य, स्वच्छता, समूह जीवन, यौन शिक्षा, मनोरंजन, उनके भविष्य की योजना आदि जैसे मुद्दों पर नियोजित सत्र भी शामिल हैं। यह मैनुअल सभी आउटरीच कार्यकर्ताओं और हाशिए पर पड़े बच्चों के साथ काम करने वाले संगठनों के लिए एक आसान संदर्भ मार्गदर्शिका होगी।

शिक्षा लोगों के जीवन की गुणवत्ता को बेहतर बनाने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाती है। सभी बच्चों को औपचारिक शिक्षा के दायरे में लाने के लिए सरकारी और गैर-सरकारी संगठनों के प्रयासों के बावजूद, कई बच्चे अभी भी स्कूल से बाहर हैं। माता-पिता की कम सामाजिक-आर्थिक स्थिति उन्हें अपने बच्चों को स्कूल भेजने के बजाय कम उम्र में कमाने के लिए भेजने के लिए बाध्य करती है। ऐसे में इन बच्चों को अनौपचारिक शिक्षा योजना के तहत शामिल करने की आवश्यकता है। अनौपचारिक शिक्षा (मुख्य रूप से 3 से 13 वर्ष की आयु के बच्चों के लिए) पर इस मैनुअल का उद्देश्य इन बच्चों का समग्र विकास करना है, साथ ही उन्हें ऐसे कौशल सीखने का मौका देना है जो उनके दैनिक जीवन में व्यावहारिक रूप से लागू हों, ताकि वे मुख्यधारा के समाज में शामिल हो सकें। इसमें छोटे खेल और गतिविधियाँ शामिल हैं जिनका उपयोग सामाजिक/क्षेत्र कार्यकर्ता अनौपचारिक शिक्षा प्रदान करते समय कर सकते हैं। यह बच्चों को एक ही अवधारणा को समझाने के विभिन्न तरीकों को इंगित करता है, सभी लागत कुशल और साथ ही उस सेटिंग के लिए आदर्श हैं जिसमें कक्षा संचालित की जाती है।

चिकित्सीय प्रक्रियाओं से गुजर रहे बच्चों के विकास के लिए एक मैनुअल एक संसाधन मैनुअल है जिसे हाशिए पर पड़े बच्चों के लिए एक समग्र चिकित्सीय कार्यक्रम की तत्काल आवश्यकता को पूरा करने के लिए डिज़ाइन किया गया है। यह सुविधाकर्ताओं या सामाजिक कार्यकर्ताओं के लिए बनाया गया है, जो लक्ष्य समूह से अभिनव और प्रभावी तरीकों से निपटना पसंद करते हैं। मैनुअल को तीन खंडों में विभाजित किया गया है। पहले खंड में प्रतिभागियों के पिछले जीवन से निपटने के लिए सत्र शामिल हैं। सत्र उन्हें खुद को और अपने अतीत को स्वीकार करने में मदद करते हैं। दूसरा खंड प्रतिभागियों के व्यक्तित्व, संचार कौशल और स्वयं और समाज की सामान्य समझ को निखारकर वर्तमान का पुनर्निर्माण करने से संबंधित है। तीसरे खंड में भविष्य की योजना बनाना, कार्यान्वयन और अनुवर्ती कार्रवाई शामिल है।

यह चार की श्रृंखला में पहला है और 11 से 16 वर्ष की आयु के किशोरों के लिए लक्षित है। मुख्य रूप से कमजोर किशोरों के साथ काम करने वाले कर्मचारियों द्वारा उपयोग के लिए बनाया गया, यह मैनुअल भागीदारी सीखने की गतिविधियों की एक व्यापक सूची प्रदान करता है, जो व्यक्तिगत और समूह मूल्यांकन के लिए बहुत उपयोगी होगा। यह मौखिक और गैर-मौखिक गतिविधियों की एक श्रृंखला प्रदान करता है, जिसका उपयोग आवश्यकतानुसार किया जा सकता है। सीखने का कार्य विविध माध्यमों जैसे कि फोकस समूह चर्चा, चित्र, रोल-प्ले, कहानी कथन, आउटडोर खेल गाने आदि के उपयोग से होता है - ये सभी न केवल लक्षित समूह बल्कि कर्मचारियों की रुचि को बनाए रखने में मदद करेंगे।