Vizhiththezhu's Aravanaipagam a Project of the Corporation of Chennai

1. Our Vision:
The people who belong to the most disadvantaged
communities will take control of their own lives
and that of their communities having greater
political will and better socio economic living
conditions.

2. Shelter for Homeless

3. Yarumey illanu yaru sonna..?
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4. Aravanaipagam
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5. Vizhiththezhu named its shelter home as
Aravanaipagam
What 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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6. GOAL
Demonstrate a path breaking effort
and create a sustainable model to
Prevent and end homelessness
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7. 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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8. Homelessness
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9. 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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10. Types of Homelessness
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11. 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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12. Strategies
 Counseling
 One to one Discussion
 Group counseling
 Peer counseling (trained peer)
 Skills training
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13. Strategies
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14. 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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15. Cherished Moments of Reintegration at
Vizhiththezhu
Ruby, 55 Thrichy Vanitha, 35 Mumbai
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16. Cherished Moments of Reintegration at
Vizhiththezhu
Krishna, 19 Orissa Thathaji, 68 Maharashtra
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17. Cherished Moments of Reintegration at
Vizhiththezhu
Vasantha, 46 Karur Munniammal, 73 Chennai
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18. Cherished Moments of Reintegration at
Vizhiththezhu
Mangai, 73 Chennai Bibija, 60 Chennai
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19. 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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20. Beneficiaries Referred
Deenathulla, 65 – Rajamma, 80
(HelpAge India)
Anitha, 23 Udhavum Karangal
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21. Beneficiaries Referred
Priyanka, 19 CDH Anbagam Niraml, 7 Child haven
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22. 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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23. Cohesive and new friendships
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24. Cohesive and new friendships
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25. 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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26. Processes to overcome these
challenges
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27. Skill Training
Jewel Making Garland Making
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28. Skill Training
Medicine cover making Candle Making
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29. 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

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31. Thank You
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