shelter for homeless
TRANSCRIPT
Our Vision: The people who belong to the most disadvantagedcommunities will take control of their own livesand that of their communities having greaterpolitical will and better socio economic livingconditions.
Vizhiththezhu named its shelter home as
AravanaipagamWhat is more appealing for the people of the
community is not what we do? but how we do?
Yes we embrace anyone with care
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GOAL
Demonstrate a path breaking effort
and create a sustainable model to
Prevent and end homelessness
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Reasons for Homelessness
Poverty Lack of socio-economic support for issues around
treatment and Health Care such as nursing and nutrition Domestic violence Mentally illness and related stigma due to poor community
understanding on Mental health issues Homelessness a way or survival/ way of life Disintegrated Families and absence of social support
structures Lack of Land Rights and Housing Rights legislations Lack of pensions for unemployed and poor or no access to
pension benefits for elderly and widows.
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Types of Homelessness
Homeless survivors
i. Those who willingly remain homeless wanderers
ii. Homeless due to chronic mental illness
Transitional Homeless
i. Family conditions
ii. Un adjustment and relationship issues
iii. Personality disorders
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Reintegration
Definition :
Fostering a positive behavior change among inmates
and families for returning back to their biological /
extended families and harmonious living.
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Strategies
Counseling
One to one Discussion
Group counseling
Peer counseling (trained peer)
Skills training
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Reintegration strategies we use at
Vizhiththezhu
Inviting family members to come over to
Aravanaipagam and take back the inmate
Motivating the Client to voluntarily call back and go
back to his/ her family
Negotiate and leave them back in the care of their
family members.
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Cherished Moments of Reintegration atVizhiththezhu
Ruby, 55 Thrichy Vanitha, 35 Mumbai
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Cherished Moments of Reintegration atVizhiththezhu
Krishna, 19 Orissa Thathaji, 68 Maharashtra
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Cherished Moments of Reintegration atVizhiththezhu
Vasantha, 46 Karur Munniammal, 73 Chennai
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Cherished Moments of Reintegration atVizhiththezhu
Mangai, 73 Chennai Bibija, 60 Chennai
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Effective Referrals
Referrals to Mental Health Treatment and
Rehabilitation facilities like CDH, Banyan etc.
Orphaned Elderly admitted in Homes of the Aged
through HelpAge India
Child referred to Haven international
Speech and Hearing Loss girl referred to Udavum
Karanagal
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Beneficiaries Referred
Deenathulla, 65 – Rajamma, 80 (HelpAge India)
Anitha, 23 Udhavum Karangal
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Barriers and Challenges to
Reintegration
Unable to trace the relatives based on the
information received from inmates
Unwillingness on the part of the inmates to leave a
safe and secured place like Aravanaipagam
Cohesiveness and new friendship among co-inmates
prevents them from thinking about reintegrating
themselves with their biological families.
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How we overcome these challenges?
Skill building and confidence building exercises
through staff and experts
Testimonials of people who had been effectively
reintegrated with families
Vocational and skill building on small business
Tracing the family members within a short duration
Mental Health referrals, treatment and follow up
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No. of the
Male
No. of the
Female
No. of the
Children
Total
Total
Admission 179 118 13 309
Reintegration 28 39 8 75
Referrals 14 19 1 34
Placement 23 33 - 56
Current Status 11 11 - 22
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Quantitative Outputs