India is home to approximately 23.6 million orphans and vulnerable children such children are vulnerable and need stable family care, protection and upbringing. Based on the belief that a loving home and family is the right of every child, Udayan Ghars are long term residential homes (group homes)that nurture children who are orphaned, abandoned or at-risk, in a simulated family environment through a strategy called L.I.F.E – Living In Family Environment. There are single and multi-unit Udayan Ghars, wherein 12 children (6-18 years) constitute a unit to give individual attention to each child. This ‘Group Care’ model ensures children are loved and cared by a group of Mentor Parents – long term volunteers, who have functions of parents with the help of a team of caregivers, social workers, and mental health professionals. Udayan Ghars are located in middle-class neighbourhoods to help children reintegrate with mainstream society. Children receive a quality education in some of the best schools. Once they reach the age of 18 years, they are supported through our Aftercare Programme and continue with higher education or vocational training to get into jobs. Since inception in 1996, Udayan Ghars have nurtured more than 1061 children. Presently, 209 children (151 girls &55 boys) live at our 17 Udayan Ghars, in 4 states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan and, more than 25young adults are being supported through our AfterCare Programme. With a vision to reach out to more children, and we had set up in 2018-19, three new facilities in Vasant Kunj (Delhi) (the first one granted status as Group Foster Care in Delhi), Gurgaon (Haryana) and one more home in Faridabad (Haryana, yet to receive children), making it a total of 17 Udayan Ghars.  

The programme offers a unique group home model founded on the concept of ‘L.I.F.E’, an acronym for ‘Living in Family Environment’. The purpose of these Ghars is to provide loving homes for orphaned, abandoned or abused children in need of protection. Each Ghar is a close-knit group of 12 children aged between 6 and 18, with separate Ghars for boys and girls.

A committed team of caregivers consisting of mentor parents (lifetime volunteers), professional social workers and other child or mental health care professionals work together to provide the love, protection and guidance that the children need to flourish, as they turn into productive and responsible members of society. 

The objectives are as follows: -

• To improve the lives of vulnerable children, by providing a safe home with access to mentoring, parental guidance, nutritious food, education, clothing and physical and mental health care
• To provide a loving and supportive family, increase their sense of belonging, self-worth and feeling of security
• To encourage all-round development by allowing the children to advance their different talents and hobbies, including different sports or creative activities like art or drama
• Guarantee quality education by providing access to the most appropriate educational and vocational institution
• To provide tailored physical and mental health care for each child, helping address any physical or emotional issues caused by circumstances prior to joining the Ghar
• To provide continued support via the Aftercare Programme for children past the age of 18 until they reach financial independence
• Reintegrate children with families, where possible; we have reunited 300 children with their families in the last 3 years