Make a Difference
We imagine a future where no child remains trapped in poverty simply because they were born into it. A future where every child has a caring mentor, a strong community, and the deep connections they need to thrive. At MAD, we’re building that future — one where local communities rise with compassion, where progress replaces the current stagnation, and where children break free from generational poverty in their own lifetime.
Theory of Change
Inputs
Volunteer mentors ('MADsters')
Community Organisers and support ecosystem (staff, alumni, experts)
Training and educational resources
Funding from donations and partners
Partnerships with shelter homes and local organizations
Activities
Foundational skills and academic mentoring for children (age 10–13)
Educational and life skills interventions to prevent drop-out and support exam success (age 14–16)
Transition readiness support: mentoring, career counseling (age 17–18)
Aftercare mentorship for youth transitioning to adulthood (age 18–28)
Volunteer recruitment, training, and leadership development
Community organizing for care and ecosystem support
Outputs
Thousands of volunteer mentors and leaders mobilized
Over 2 million mentorship hours provided
Support for 7,500+ vulnerable children annually in 20+ Indian cities
High global benchmark in impact performance (top 20% in sector worldwide)
Outcomes
Children transition safely and successfully between critical life stages
Increased school retention and exam completion rates among vulnerable youth
Beneficiaries achieve financial independence, employment, and aspirational living as adults
Volunteer-driven, replicable community support ecosystem for long-term poverty alleviation
Programs
1. Progression Mentoring Program (MAD Age Transition Model)
A comprehensive age-based mentorship and support system designed to end generational poverty by intervening from childhood (age 10) through young adulthood (age 28). The program delivers academic, emotional, and social support through each critical life stage to vulnerable children, especially those in need of care and protection across India.
Volunteer mentors ('MADsters')
Community Organisers (young leaders)
Training modules
Educational resources
Funding (direct donations, institutional partners, community)
Shelter home partnerships
Ecosystem support (staff, alumni, expert advisors)
Mentoring children in foundational literacy, numeracy, and life skills (ages 10-13)
Academic support and life skills education to prevent drop-outs and help children complete secondary education (ages 14-16)
Guiding youth through transition readiness (ages 17-18) with career counselling and support for higher education/career decisions
Aftercare and 'buddy system' mentoring for youth entering adulthood (ages 18-28)
Capacity building for volunteers; outreach to local communities and family
Continuous emotional support and interventions at major life milestones
2,000+ active volunteers mobilized annually across 20 cities
45,000+ volunteer mentors trained since 2006
Over 2 million mentoring hours delivered
Support for 7,500+ children in 20 cities
High retention and satisfaction rates among children served
Children build foundational academic and life skills to thrive in school and life
Reduced school dropout rate among vulnerable children
Higher educational attainment/completion rates for at-risk youth
Increased career readiness and financial independence among beneficiaries
Improved emotional well-being and sense of belonging among children and youth
Empowered, scalable model for volunteer-driven poverty alleviation
2. Community Leadership & Volunteer Development
The ecosystem that powers the core mentoring program by finding, training, and sustaining volunteer leaders and community organizers who ensure scaling, quality, and continuity of impact.
Recruitment of young volunteers (MADsters)
Training resources, workshops
Support teams and staff
Leadership mentorship by senior MAD team
Conducting volunteer workshops and training events in each city
Building leadership capabilities and encouraging local ownership
Providing career development, networking, and growth opportunities for volunteers
Sustained engagement through community events, workshops, reunions, and recognition
4000+ community leaders trained since 2006
High volunteer retention and engagement; consistent quality of program delivery
Creation of a nationwide network of changemakers devoted to the cause
Continuous scaling of impact through decentralized volunteer leadership
Personal growth and leadership transformation among volunteers
Other Information
Core Values
Cause Above Self – Commitment to ending generational poverty over individual interests
Leadership Through Ownership – Taking initiative and responsibility in every role
Sense of Family – Building a close-knit, supportive community among children, volunteers, and staff
Scale
50,000+ member community nationwide
2,000+ active annual volunteers
Trained 45,000+ volunteer mentors since 2006
2 million+ mentorship hours delivered
7,500+ children and youth reached across 20 cities yearly
Expansion goal: reach 3 million children across India by 2030
Affected Users
Children and youth in need of care and protection (especially in shelter homes and vulnerable communities) aged 10–28 across India
Vulnerable adolescents at risk of dropping out of school or lacking family/financial support
Young adults with limited access to career and life skills guidance
Geographical Areas
Ahmedabad
Bengaluru
Chandigarh
Chennai
Cochin (Kochi)
Coimbatore
Delhi
Dehradun
Goa
Guntur
Gwalior
Hyderabad
Kolkata
Lucknow
Mumbai
Mysore
Nagpur
Pune
Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram)
Vijayawada
Contact Info
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