Homeless intervention program

SPYM is the largest shelter provider for the homeless in the NCT of Delhi. With over 35 years of experience working with marginalized communities in Delhi, SPYM has been mandated to manage over 65-night shelters for the homeless by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, Govt. of NCT of Delhi.

Shelters for the homeless in the Central, South and South-West Districts of Delhi provide services to meet the everyday needs of approximately 5500-6000 homeless children, women, men and senior citizens.

The above services are provided at the homeless shelters managed by SPYM in Munirka, Bikhaji Cama, Modi Mill, Coolie Camp at Vasant Vihar, Sant Nagar, Nehru Place, Sarai Kale Khan, Nizamuddin, Urdu Park and Jama Masjid

Basic facilities including shelter, bedding and sanitation support are provided by the DUSIB, Govt. Of NCT of Delhi and SPYM. We have been consistently making efforts to coordinate and network with various partners such as the Delhi Food Banking Network and have successfully roped in support for the following facilities at the majority of the Shelter Homes.

  • Bunker beds/mattresses/Durries with pillow
  • Woollen blankets
  • Adequate lighting, electric fans and coolers
  • Washrooms
  • Community kitchen/ Meals at select shelters
  • Safe drinking water
  • Lockers for keeping valuables
  • SPYM has an established linkage with prominent medical institutions namely Safdarjung Hospital, AIIMS, RML and other health care institutions to facilitate medical assistance and other health services to the homeless including First Aid support and periodic medical check-ups
  • Non-formal literacy activities and linkage with Government schools for the enrollment of children at select sheltersLinkage with Govt. Schemes: UIDAI for Aadhaar, Voter ID, bank account opening, and Support group formation
  • Vocational Training & Linkage with Livelihood Opportunities
  • Referral and linkage for drug dependence treatment services, HIV testing and DOTS for TB patient support
  • Indoor games for recreation, TV and newspapers

Beggar Free Zone

SPYM has launched “Bhiksha Nahin Shiksha” project in collaboration with Container Corporatiomn of India Ltd. around Munirka and IIT areas. The project aims to discourage people from giving alms directly.Instead, people can contribute to the project through QR codes installed at the traffic signals in these locations. Every penny will help children to enrol in a school and cater for their needs.

Nutritional support, sports, immunization & facilitating children with adhaar cards will be taken care of in this project. Additionally, young women will be trained in sewing/house keeping etc to gain a sustainable livelihood. In less than a month’s time nearly 60 children have been enrolled into schools.

The project aims beyond enrollment. It is more important that they retain in the schools. Our staff is oriented to address this gap through non formal education setup at our homeless shelters. The educators take care of these children and help them with their homework and any doubts related the school. Their other need like school bags, shoes,stationary, books are also taken care of under this project.

Women’s Collective

In April 2018, SPYM started a Homeless Women’s Collective called “Sushila” in Central Delhi with the objective of providing socioeconomic help to street based women. The funding received from Dr. Amita V. Joseph enabled SPYM identify 10 young, homeless women exhibiting leadership skills to work on mobilizing similar street based women in their areas, and facilitate their linkage with government entitlements, as well as other basic health and social services.

Outcomes

  • The women have gained access to government entitlements like Voter ID, Aadhar Card, Ration Card etc. which were previously inaccessible.
  • Acquired financial literacy i.e, cash skills which have helped them achieve financial independence.
  • Being a part of a Collective has helped them in protecting themselves from physical violence, sexual abuse, economic exploitation etc.
  • So far 3460 women have been mobilized.
  • The group of Collective of Homeless Women conducted several rallies to address the issue of homelessness and create awareness

Winter Rescue Program

Extreme weather during winters further adds to the vulnerabilities & trauma for those spending nights on the streets without any shelter, care and protection. Homeless may often be seen sleeping on pavements, bus stops, under flyovers, parks. In absence of aid, they often shiver to death.

SPYM conducts rescue operations throughout the year; intensifying operations during the winter season to ensure that none of the urban homeless dies struggling with cold weather in the vicinity of night shelters.

As part of the rescue drive, SPYM has four rescue vehicles operational to attend to SOS calls and assist in the rescue process.

Activities

  • Motivating and shifting homeless from streets/ pavements to the nearest night shelter.
  • Providing first aid and other need based medical intervention (hospital admissions, Drug treatment)
  • Ensuring provision of adequate clean blankets, durries and jute mattresses for all night shelter dwellers and providing immediate relief to homeless spending night on streets.
  • Coordinating rescue service in coordination with the related help lines of the city such as Police Control Room, Child Help Line etc.