I do not believe in a religion or God that cannot wipe a widow's tear or bring a piece of bread to an orphan's mouth."
~ Swami Vivekanand
For more than nine decades, Shraddhanand Mahilashram has been home to over 20,000 underprivileged children and women, including those with special abilities. The Ashram, as it is fondly known, has wholeheartedly undertaken several projects that attend to the needs of such individuals who experienced emotional and psychological pain in their lives. The Balgruha manages the affairs of children up to 18 years and the Adhargruha offers shelter for women of 18 years and above.
The Special Care Centre is for children between 0-2 years of age. The Centre employs professional nurses, caregivers, medical and paramedical staff. It also has access to medical facilities in the neighbourhood. Young individuals with multiple disabilities get particular attention from visiting teachers and physiotherapists to look after their special educational and developmental needs.
The Toddler Section is for children of 2-6 years of age. It has an in-house nursery or Balwadi which is meant to provide early formal education to the children. It employs experienced teaching staff to develop early learning habits that are necessary at that age. Young male individuals who are admitted to our institution are referred to partner institutions as they reach 6 years of age unless they are adopted.
Many children from this section of the Ashram are referred for Intra and intercountry adoption since June 1928. The Ashram is recognized by CARA (Central Adoption &
Resource Authority). Up to March 2020, approximately 3,000 children were adopted by families from India and overseas.
The Ashramkanyas are residents between the ages of 6 to 22 years of age. An Ashram is a place where their personalities are developed, their talents and gifts are nurtured. It focuses on engaging Ashramkanyas in vocational activities, hobby classes, sports and cultural activities. Trainers and Professionals are invited to engage the Ashramkanyas with various activities throughout the week. For formal schooling and college education, they are admitted to third-party institutions. The residents also have the support of qualified social workers to counsel and guide them at every step of their lives. The Ashram strives to provide Ashramkanyas access to a holistic education that will make them confident, self-sustainable individuals.
To help create a world free of underprivileged women and children by empowering them through education and skill development.
Shraddhanand Mahilashram's mission is to undertake holistic welfare of needy and destitute women and children, without any discrimination of religion, caste, and creed:
- To provide for formal, non-formal and vocational education
- To provide the residents skills that help them earn a livelihood
- To rehabilitate women and children through adoption, foster care or marriage
Baluben and Jagjiwan Mulji Hostel for Working Women's mission is to provide a safe, cost-effective place to stay in Mumbai with well-rounded accommodation in terms of location, facilities and ambience.
Dadasaheb Tatke Vruddhashram Sankul's mission is to improve the quality of life of elderly women who need shelter by providing basic amenities like food and medical care as well as offering opportunities for socialising, entertainment and recuperative care.
Manorama Phadke Vidyarthini Vasati Gruh's mission is to provide a "home away from home" to girl students aspiring for higher education so that she is not denied the opportunity to continue her study due to distance to school, parents' financial affordability and other connected societal factors
Year
The Hindu Women & Welfare Society established in the memory of Swami Shraddhanandji by luminaries like Shri B G Kher, Barrister Jaykar, Shri R D Birla, Shri V L Napoo
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Shraddhanand Mahilashram started in rental premises
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Mahilashram shifted to current premises at Matunga, Mumbai, India
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Old Age Home for elderly women established at Vasai, Mumbai which was subsequently renamed to Shri R S alias Dadasaheb Tatke Vruddhashram Sankul
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Working Women's Hostel established at Kurla, Mumbai which currently houses over 75 working women from outside Mumbai and belonging to lower-income groups
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Special Care Center for orphan infants established at Matunga. The centre provides round the clock nursing assistance and daily medical care along with physiotherapy and speech therapy
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Smt. Manoramabai Phadke hostel for girl students was established at Matunga, Mumbai
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Fully equipped Computer Laboratory was established at Shraddhanand Mahilashram at Matunga to ensure computer literacy of Ashramkanyas
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Project underway to expand capacity of Kurla hostel by another 75 beds