Community Development

PPCF presently works with Manoday organization for de-addiction of children under 18 yrs of age. Substance addiction among young people in the slums of Pune is a concerning issue that stems from various social and environmental challenges.

The lack of opportunities and resources in these areas often leads to a sense of hopelessness and despair, driving many youth towards substance abuse as a means of escape.While addressing this issue, focus is given to better educational and employment opportunities, as well as implementing effective intervention and rehabilitation programs. To do the same, PPCF supports 2 centers in the urban slums of Aundh.

Here various activities that offer aid to these troubled youth are provided. Along with counseling and right emotional support, they are engaged in recreational activities that focus on their holistic development. Some of these activities include exposing them to a positive screen time, where they understand the use of computers for educational and other beneficial purposes. They are also motivated through different media like movies with inspiring social messaging, stories and games. These centers conduct social mapping at individual level to gauge positive change, and a focus on nutrition and health is maintained to foster lifelong habits of well being.

While working within underprivileged communities, a stark reality came to light: on one hand, a vast number of people are in search of sustainable income opportunities, while on the other, there is a rapidly growing demand for specialized services to address the physical, emotional, social, and medical needs of elderly individuals. Recognizing this duality, a pilot program focused on geriatric care was launched.

The General Duty Assistant (GDA) training program for elderly care encompasses vital topics such as personal hygiene assistance, mobility support, medication management, and emotional care to promote seniors’ overall well-being. Participants also receive instruction in palliative care, fall prevention, safe handling practices, and emergency response, equipping them for diverse roles in various caregiving environments.

Pune Public Policy Festival premiered in 2023 as a unique platform for the stakeholders and citizens to actively participate in discussions around policies and implementation. PPCF played a pivotal role in making this dialogue possible.

The challenges faced by different regions in India are diverse, making one-size-fits-all policies inadequate. Effective tailored solutions require decentralizing policy-making from power hubs like Delhi and empowering local and state stakeholders to develop region-specific strategies.

Pune, with its rich history in education, activism, and politics, served as the ideal location for this dialogue. We aim to revive Pune as a focal point for policy deliberation, drawing in passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds – industry, academia, or bureaucracy. This platform encourages young enthusiasts to convene, network, and collaborate in addressing the pressing challenges facing India.