Youth at Risk

Salesian Mission for Youth at Risk

The Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) are deeply committed to helping youth at risk, following St. John Bosco’s mission to care for marginalized and vulnerable young people. Their work focuses on providing education, shelter, and rehabilitation to those in need.

Core Areas of Support for Youth at Risk:

• Shelter & Care – Orphanages, boarding homes, and drop-in centers for street children.
• Education & Skill Training – Schools and vocational centers to empower them for a better future.
• Counseling & Emotional Well-Being – Psychological and emotional support for trauma recovery.
• Social Reintegration Programs – Helping youth reconnect with families and society.
• Advocacy & Child Protection – Fighting against child labor, abuse, and trafficking.

The Salesians continue to uplift disadvantaged youth, offering them hope, dignity, and a future through love and education.

Our Team

Fr. Casimir Raj SDB
Fr. Ricopar Royan SDB
Fr. Amalorpavaraj Annappan SDB
Fr. Arul Kumar Antony SDB
Ms. Sheela

Reports

1. Mid-Year Evaluation on Salesian Youth Ministry (June 12, 2024 – Coimbatore)

• Held at Don Bosco Anbu Illam, Coimbatore, with 35 participants, including directors, administrators, and representatives from Miracle Foundation and Bosco Net, New Delhi.
• Focus on impact and sustainability in youth programs, with discussions led by Fr. Santhanraj SDB.
• Recognition of key contributors and transition of Fr. Casimir Raj to his new role as YaR Coordinator for the Trichy Province.
• Presentation on standardizing child care institutions and strengthening alternative care.

2. Key Discussions from the Meeting

• Foster Care & Family Strengthening: Reference to best practices from Bosco Bangalore.
• Child Safeguarding Policy: A national policy to be shared across all Salesian institutions.
• National Research: Encouragement for completing surveys on vulnerable children.
• Staff Training: Proposed training sessions on mental health and first aid certification.
• Annual Statistics Submission: Directors to submit reports for national documentation.
• YaR Leaders Orientation: Adjustments to the annual plan for leadership training.

3. Homelink DIGI Training (July 9-11, 2024 – Trichy)

• A three-day workshop for 27 staff members from seven YaR centers.
• Focused on the Homelink DIGI documentation tool for improved data management.
• Hosted by Don Bosco Animation Centre, Trichy, with national experts facilitating sessions.
• Training included technical modules, strategic planning, and policy implementation.
• The program concluded with a launch of the Homelink annual report and a mini-research presentation on child abuse.

4. YaR Sector Meeting (August 29, 2024 – Salem)

• Attended by 16 members, including representatives from CAUVERY Tiruchy and BoscoNet.
• Discussions included:
  • Challenges in childcare homes (staffing, funding, substance abuse).
  • Support for migrant children (legal guidance, education, and care).
  • Standardization of children’s homes to align with government policies.
  • Strategizing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fundraising for youth initiatives.

5. YaR Children Live-In Program (September 27-28, 2024 – Namakkal)

• A gathering of 80 children from Coimbatore, Salem, and Moolakkadu YaR centers.
• Activities Included:
  • Campfire night with music, games, and dance.
  • Morning yoga and sports competitions.
  • Cultural programs showcasing talents from different centers.
  • Football Tournament where Namakkal emerged as champions.

6. Apex First Responder Training (October 16, 2024 – Tirupur)

• Organized by Don Bosco Anbu Illam, Salem, in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Apex Skill Development Centre.
• 33 participants trained in first aid and emergency response.
• Certificates awarded to all attendees for their participation in the program.

7. YaR Annual Seminar (October 3-4, 2024 – Kochi, Kerala)

• Theme: “Empowering Families and Communities Towards Caring for Children and Young at Risk”.
• Attended by 105 directors and staff from different YaR centers.
• Discussions on family-based care models, child rights, and sustainable community support.

8. Digital Innovation Training (January 20-22, 2025 – Trichy)

• Training for Homelink Hub Directors and Coordinators from eight provinces.
• Focused on improving documentation and decision-making using Homelink DIGI.
• Organized by Don Bosco YaR Forum, Delhi, and hosted by INT Province.

9. Consultation on Migrant Worker Welfare (Tamil Nadu)

• Brought together NGOs, trade unions, social workers, and religious leaders.
• Discussed rights, challenges, and legal frameworks for supporting migrant workers.
• Aimed at creating a coordinated approach to address migrant issues in Tamil Nadu.

10. Understanding and Supporting Alpha & Meta Generation Children (February 14, 2025 – Salem)

• Training for 70 staff members on adolescent psychology and modern challenges.
• Key focus areas:
  • Substance abuse, sexual issues, school dropouts, and mobile addiction.
  • Psychological development stages from infancy to adolescence.
  • The importance of early bonding with parents and teachers.
  • Generational shifts in child behavior due to AI and digital influences.
• Introduced initiatives like Children’s Parliament to engage children in decision-making.

11. Silver Jubilee Celebration (August 2, 2024 – Moolakadu)

• Marked 25 years of YaR’s service in the Trichy Province.
• Attended by 150 children from five YaR centers.
• Cultural performances, speeches by alumni, and interactions with Rev. Fr. Stefano Martoglio, the Vicar of the Rector Major.
• Recognized past achievements and future goals of YaR centers.

June 2024 – February 2025

1. YaR (Young at Risk) Sector Meet – Coimbatore

• Venue: Don Bosco Anbu Illam (DBAI), Coimbatore
• Date: 12.06.2024
• Participants: 35
• Impact: Salesians and laypeople presented reports, evaluated programs, and planned the annual action plan.

2. Training on Homelink DIGI – Trichy

• Venue: Alaihal Media College, Manikandam, Trichy
• Date: 09.07.2024 – 11.07.2024
• Participants: 34
• Impact: Hands-on training for data entry personnel and counselors on the ‘Homelink DIGI’ web application.

3. National YaR Leaders’ Orientation – New Delhi

• Venue: Don Bosco Provincial House, New Delhi
• Date: 29.07.2024 – 31.07.2024
• Participants: 40
• Impact: Heads of YaR centers and senior staff learned about NGO leadership and juvenile justice.

4. Province Jubilee Celebration with YaR Children – Salem

• Venue: Don Bosco Care Home (DBCH), Moolakadu, Salem
• Date: 02.08.2024
• Participants: 150
• Impact: YaR children showcased talents; past pupils shared success stories; event strengthened community spirit.

5. YaR Day and Campaign – INT Province

• Venue: All INT YaR Centers
• Date: 31.08.2024
• Participants: All YaR Children
• Impact: Awareness campaign on the theme “Family is Where I Belong”, emphasizing family support.

6. YaR Sector Meet – Salem

• Venue: Don Bosco Anbu Illam (DBAI), Salem
• Date: 29.08.2024
• Participants: 16
• Impact: Discussion on initiatives, challenges, and CSR funding strategies for the YaR sector.

7. YaR Children Live-In – Namakkal

• Venue: Don Bosco Anbu Illam (DBAI), Namakkal
• Date: 27.09.2024 – 28.09.2024
• Participants: 80
• Impact: Children learned about the value of family support and bonding.

8. National YaR Seminar & AGM – Kerala

• Venue: Pastoral Centre, Cochin, Kerala
• Date: 03.10.2024 – 05.10.2024
• Participants: 150
• Impact: Promoted alternative care for vulnerable children, empowering communities and families.

9. Apex First Responder Training (FRT) – Tiruppur

• Venue: Don Bosco Nest (DB Nest), Tiruppur
• Date: 16.10.2024
• Participants: 33
• Impact: Staff trained in First Aid and Emergency Response Skills.

10. YaR Sector Staff Training Programme – Salem

• Venue: Don Bosco Anbu Illam (DBAI), Salem
• Date: 14.02.2025
• Participants: 70
• Impact: Training on “Understanding and Supporting Alpha and Meta Generation Children”.

11. After Care Boys (18+) Meet – Moolakadu

• Venue: Don Bosco Care Home (DBCH), Moolakadu
• Date: 16.03.2025
• Participants: N/A
• Impact: Provided career guidance and training on government job preparation.

1. YaR Sector Meet

• Date: 12th June 2025 (Thursday)
• Venue: Don Bosco Anbu Illam (DBAI), Nilavarapatti
• Expected Participants: 60
• Theme: Report Presentation, Evaluation, and Planning
• Description:
  The annual YaR Sector Meet will bring together directors, administrators, and stakeholders from various YaR centers to review past activities, evaluate progress, and plan strategies for the upcoming year.

2. YaR Leaders’ Orientation

• Date: 29th – 31st July 2025
• Venue: Delhi / SPCI
• Expected Participants: New YaR Coordinators, New Incharges, and New Commission Members
• Description:
  A leadership training program for newly appointed coordinators and commission members to understand their roles and responsibilities in youth rehabilitation and social outreach.

3. Training for YaR Staff (Homelink)

• Date: 9th – 11th September 2025
• Venue: Goa
• Expected Participants: Staff and Young People from all YaR Centres
• Description:
  A hands-on training session focused on using the Homelink system for better documentation, case tracking, and reporting within YaR Centers.

4. YaR Day and Campaign

• Date: 31st August 2025 (Sunday)
• Venue: All YaR Centres
• Expected Participants: Staff and Young People from all YaR Centres
• Theme: YaR Theme of the Year
• Description:
  A province-wide awareness campaign to promote child rights, alternative care, and rehabilitation efforts through public engagement, activities, and outreach programs.

5. YaR Children Live-In

• Date: 26th – 27th September 2025 (Friday – Saturday)
• Venue: Don Bosco Anbu Illam (DBAI), Salem
• Expected Participants: 100
• Description:
  A residential program for YaR children to enhance their social bonding, emotional well-being, and life skills through interactive activities, games, and counseling sessions.

6. National YaR Seminar, AGM, and GBM

• Date: 1st – 3rd October 2025
• Venue: Guwahati
• Expected Participants: All YaR Commission Members, YaR Incharges, and GBM Members
• Description:
  A national-level seminar focusing on policy updates, best practices, and collaborative strategies to improve YaR initiatives across different regions.

7. YaR General Body Meeting (GBM)

• Date: 4th October 2025
• Venue: Guwahati
• Expected Participants: All YaR Commission Members, YaR Incharges, and GBM Members
• Description:
  A formal meeting to review financial reports, policy changes, and strategic planning for YaR programs in the upcoming year.

8. YaR Staff Live-In Program

• Date: 13th – 14th February 2026
• Venue: Don Bosco Care Home (DBCH), Coimbatore
• Expected Participants: 60
• Theme: Based on YaR Theme of the Year
• Description:
  A training and capacity-building program for YaR staff to improve skills in handling at-risk youth, counseling, and project management.

9. After-Care Boys (18+) Meet

• Date: 15th March 2026 (Sunday)
• Venue: Don Bosco Anbu Illam (DBAI), Namakkal
• Expected Participants: 60
• Description:
  A career guidance session for young adults (18+) transitioning from YaR centers, focusing on job preparation, skill development, and employment opportunities.