Goal

Care leavers from children’s homes and hostels will have completed their education and have gainful employment thereby becoming independent and responsible citizens in society.

Care Leavers, individuals who transition out of Alternative Care at 18, often face formidable challenges in becoming independent. Growing up in a controlled environment of Child Care Institutions (CCIs), they may not receive adequate attention for childhood traumas due to limited resources. This lack of support, coupled with insufficient exposure to communities, social skills training, and inconsistent education, leaves them unprepared for jobs and financial instability.

The absence of a nurturing family-like environment, proper community integration, and an inadequate rehabilitation plan further complicates their transition to independent life. Care Leavers beyond 18 in India often find themselves overlooked and unsupported. Udayan Care’s collaborative study in 2017 and 2018-19, with organizations like Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights, UNICEF, and Tata Trusts, identified eight crucial domains for aftercare support, including housing, emotional well-being, education, and career preparation. These domains must be tailored to individual needs for successful reintegration.

Recognizing the pressing need for aftercare, Sahaara Charitable Society launched ‘Udaan,’ an aftercare education hostel specifically designed to address the unique needs of Care Leavers and to take care of the girls graduating from the Anandalay and Krupalay hostels. This initiative aims to provide essential support, fostering successful reintegration into the community and highlighting the importance of investing in and supporting the Care Leavers’ journey to resilience and independence.