Inception
It was way back in 1996 that Seema Malhotra, founder of SCOPE Plus, felt a need to initiate an NGO when CASP PLAN gave a project to her that required a team. Yes, SCOPE Plus was born when a dedicated social worker and coordinator of the Adult Education Programme felt a need to register a society to expand the work she was doing already. SCOPE was born on 15th July 1996. It is a Delhi-based NGO with most of its projects in Delhi itself. Occasionally, it has networked and helped people in need when crisis struck our country and help was required in other states too. Earlier, the NGO emphasized on consultation, projects, and counseling that changed to empowering children, youth, women, and creating opportunities for them to become better versions of themselves.
As Seema Says….
PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN IN THE FIRST DECADE
Tihar Jail Project
Projects in Tihar Jail have been one of the foundation projects of Scope. Here, many programs like Computer, Education, Balwadi, Adult education, and Income generation projects have been conducted. SCOPE helped in marketing folders and files made by Tihar Inmates. This had to stop as much effort was required for it due to jail policies, taxation, etc., and it was not providing satisfaction to Seema and her team. “It seemed we were a marketing organization,” as Seema puts it. They wanted to do other things in education and empowerment. Mrs. Prem Lata Kapoor handled the monitoring and evasion of the project. She was supported by supervisors and students placed from various colleges.
TEWA Project
SCOPE becomes the first and the only NGO to work with Tihar Staff and families. After SCOPE's Computer Centre inauguration, Seema was stopped by a Head Warden, a distraught father in Jail Number 4. He shared his parenting woes and lack of time spent at home. He shared that at that time, three staff children were behind bars because they had borrowed (stolen) a motorcycle for a pleasure ride. After meeting other parents, SCOPE started work with TEWA (Tihar Employee Welfare Association). SCOPE did Counseling, Balwadi, Computer education for their children and families. In TEWA, Rajiv Singh (head warden then, now Assistant Superintendent) guided SCOPE to ask for an officer's flat to carry out its activities. TEWA readily gave two halls to set up our projects for them. This project has now been taken over by Shashi Pant. Shashi worked as a Maths teacher, Sewing teacher, and handled SCOPE’s other projects as well. She started working when she was a student of Springdale School. As she got more involved, she felt the need to do more and did her BSW, MSW, and is now planning to start her Ph.D. She works as an Associate Director. This project was taken over by Shashi Pant in the second decade.
NISD Project
The National Institute of Social Defence provided an opportunity to work with de-addiction patients and counselors. SCOPE did family counseling and home placement of patients. SCOPE also got an opportunity to work in North East with the NISD project. Seema, Priya, and Bhaskar did family counseling in Guwahati and shared how to do counseling in difficult circumstances. This project gave SCOPE visibility and gave an opportunity to work with experts in the field.
SJSRY Project
Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, a government project, gave an opportunity to SCOPE to train in entrepreneurship skills. This was a good opportunity to do training with grass root people and spread wings to connect with many other NGOs. Women SHGs were formed and many micro-enterprises established in the community. However, due to government policies, the projects had to be stopped. It gave SCOPE visibility and added another feather in the cap.
PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN IN THE SECOND DECADE
Digital Literacy and Education Projects
SCOPE received support from NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation) to open PMKK (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra). This gave them a platform to connect with people who were looking for Digital Literacy and Employment Skills. Thousands of students got certified.
Youth Empowerment Projects
Youth Empowerment has been a significant area of work for SCOPE. They have worked with different stakeholders to provide better opportunities to the youth. Many youth development programs, career counseling, and job fairs have been organized. The organization is committed to providing a better future to the youth of our country.
PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN IN THE THIRD DECADE
Environmental Projects
SCOPE has taken up environmental projects to create awareness about the importance of a clean and green environment. They have worked on various projects like tree plantation drives, waste management, and cleanliness drives. The organization believes in creating a sustainable environment for future generations.
Community Compassion: Supporting Pediatric Cancer Families
Supporting families with children suffering from cancer involves addressing profound emotional and practical challenges. Families often face not only the devastating impact of the illness itself but also the financial strain of medical treatments and the emotional toll of seeing their children undergo intense therapies. SCOPE has collaborated with Cankid, an organization dedicated to supporting pediatric cancer patients, to provide crucial assistance. In a heartwarming gesture of community solidarity, residents of Soami Nagar and Panchsheel Enclave have generously donated essential items. Recently, student volunteers accompanied by RK, representing SCOPE, took the initiative to personally deliver brand new sarees and essential rations to mothers caring for their children battling cancer. This compassionate outreach aims to alleviate some of the burdens these families endure, offering practical support and a sense of solidarity during such challenging times.
Women Empowerment
Women Empowerment has been one of the key focus areas of SCOPE in its third decade. They have worked tirelessly to provide better opportunities for women through many skill development programs, self-help groups, and awareness initiatives. SCOPE is committed to making women self-reliant and confident.
One significant effort includes organizing awareness talks on the prevention and redressal of sexual harassment in workplaces. These talks aim to educate and empower women, ensuring safer and more supportive work environments. Such initiatives underline SCOPE's dedication to fostering gender equality and workplace dignity.
Wheel Chair Donations
DCWA, situated near LSR College in Jamrodpur, is a charitable organization dedicated to healthcare, community services, and education. They provide crucial healthcare services, including donating wheelchairs to enhance patient mobility and independence. Additionally, DCWA conducts health education workshops and community health camps, empowering locals with essential knowledge about well-being. Their efforts extend to supporting vulnerable groups, ensuring inclusive community support and promoting overall welfare in Jamrodpur.
Interaction with students at a blind school
Engaging in ongoing conversations aimed at fostering self-confidence and empowerment, SCOPE Plus, along with social work trainees Aditya Giri and Dimple, from the 1st and 2nd years respectively, has initiated meaningful interactions with students at the local blind school.
These interactions aim to uplift and empower visually impaired students by providing them with mentorship, educational support, and opportunities for personal growth. Through this initiative, SCOPE Plus and the trainees seek to create a supportive environment that encourages these students to pursue their aspirations with confidence and determination.