The Urban Community Development Center

Logo	Office

The Urban Community Development Centre is a project of the Society for Community Development in India. It is a registered Public Trust. It is an NGO that has been at the service of the community since 1971. Over the intervening span of more than thirty years, the total character of the world has changed and with it, poverty has also acquired new forms and different manifestations. What has not changed is the reality of poverty itself. This reality is the target of UCDC’s work. Approaches have undergone many transformations; some programmes have replaced others; longstanding activities have been subjected to scrutiny to assess their relevance and effectiveness; and now after thirty years, this is where we stand.

        UCDC’s programmes can be broadly divided into:

·        Community Development:

Creche, Employment Bureau, Women’s Development, Cultural Development, Children’s Action Groups and Animation.

·        Health:

General medicine, Dental, Skin, Physiotherapy, Ophthalmic, Homeopathy, Yoga, Accupressure, Medical Camps, Mother and Child Health Care and nutrition.

·        Education and Training:

Comprising Adult literacy, Balwadi, Conversational English and Educational Assistance, Tailoring Classes and Public Speaking.

·        Economic Uplift:

Through the Training activities mentioned above as well as through the services of an employment bureau, legal aid cell.

It becomes apparent that virtually all programmes have relevance beyond their classified borders and are inter-related in order to deal most effectively with the final objective of eradicating poverty and bringing up the standard of living.

      The educational programmes like adult literacy classes which has started off right from the onset, still continues to uplift the illiterate of our society. As there is a constant inflow into Mumbai from different states and from other parts of Maharashtra to seek job opportunities, many of them generally land up doing odd jobs which do not require any education. At present the ones who are making best use of these literacy classes are young boys and girls working as domestics. The classes are held in the afternoon, which is convenient for them.

  The balwadi and creche which are also conducted in the premises is a stepping stone for the people of the slums as we prepare the children to seek admission in good high schools around. It helps their mothers to go for work. The tailoring class is also a good example where many illiterate ladies also learn to tailor clothes to earn an extra income for their families. 

       The medical programmes are also conducted with the intention of reaching these facilities which otherwise are not so easily available, to the poor considering the quality of the service rendered. This good quality service, where each person is treated with good care is applicable to all the medical units, the general clinic which runs in the mornings through the week, skin clinic, dental clinic (there are three well qualified dentists with modern instruments who run the dental department) also operates from Mondays through Saturdays, the ophthalmology, homeopathy, physiotherapy, accupressure and yoga. We conduct animation programmmes to consciencetize the people about their rights and to help them improve their life qualitatively.

From time to time we conduct medical camps both at the centre and in the slums. With the help of specialised doctors at these camps, treatment is given and some pharmaceutical companies help us with free supply of medicines.

We have a Legal Cell where legal advice is given to the poor and the underprivileged.  Three advocates volunteer their services at this cell.

A senior citizens cell has started a year ago. This was done on the request of a group of seniors from the middle and upper middle class. Their problem is more of loneliness which is due to the nuclear family and children migrating. They needed a place to come together having activities catering to their needs. So far, talks on medical lines and social gatherings have been conducted. A few help-line cases have been attended to. Talks by experts concerning old age, security and medical problems are arranged from time to time.

We conduct important feasts throughout the year for the poor and less privileged. For Christmas we conduct a get-together for slum children usually numbering around 200. They have some singing, games and prizes are given for the winners. Besides this, each one of them is given snacks and a Christmas gift. 

Also we celebrate “Haldi Kum-Kum” for women. It is usually celebrated by Maharashtrian women. Around 175 of these women come from the slums. Again some dance competitions are conducted and each one is given snacks and a gift. We also celebrate Women’s Day with various programmes. 

Apart from these celebrations, we organize from time to time talks on various topics by experts to conscientise them about their rights and obligations. The prime objective is to improve the quality of their life and ensure they are not exploited by anybody. 

The UCDC is governed by a Board of Directors comprising people from different walks of life. The immediate administration of the centre is carried out by the Director and his staff and also a number of part-time helpers and volunteers. The whole set-up of UCDC consists of people who are genuinely concerned about the underprivileged in our society and who are interested in bringing about a positive change in their lives. In all this, we cannot miss out on the people who support our cause through their kind donations.