Project JOSH – Transforming At-Risk Youth through Sports, Counseling & Purpose

A Mission by Ladli Foundation Trust to Prevent Crime and Substance Abuse through Structured Youth Engagement

Project JOSH is a transformative initiative launched by Ladli Foundation Trust, designed to intervene in the lives of at-risk adolescent boys living in the marginalized slums of Delhi. The project’s mission is to prevent drug addiction, juvenile crime, and hopelessness by creating a positive ecosystem driven by structured physical activity, mental health support, and vocational empowerment.

With strategic backing from the Delhi Police, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, and the National Institute of Social Defence, Project JOSH has become a recognized national model for youth rehabilitation. Through early intervention, community trust-building, and consistent engagement, it helps adolescents break free from destructive cycles and transition into society as responsible, confident individuals.

Why Project JOSH is Crucial

The Societal Context: A Crisis Among Urban Youth

India’s urban slum belts are witnessing a disturbing rise in juvenile substance abuse, school dropouts, and street crime. In Delhi alone, police data and community reports confirm an alarming trend among boys aged 14–20 who are exposed to or already engaging in:

  • Use of substances like tobacco, weed, alcohol, hash, and inhalants

  • Petty crimes such as theft, snatching, and drug peddling

  • Emotional distress, including signs of depression and suicidal ideation

  • Complete disconnection from school or vocational training

These boys, often classified as Pink File Candidates by the Delhi Police, represent a generation on the edge. Without meaningful adult supervision, safe spaces, or support systems, they are at serious risk of becoming repeat offenders or lifelong addicts.

Project JOSH addresses this crisis at its root—early, empathetically, and systematically.

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Program Design: M.D.I. Behavioral Transformation Model

At the heart of JOSH lies the M.D.I. model – Motivate, Divert, Involve. This strategy is proven to influence lasting behavior change through incremental engagement and structured support.

  • 1. Motivate

    Youth are engaged through dynamic awareness activities such as nukkad nataks (street plays) performed in partnership with Asmita Theatre Group. These plays, depicting real-life struggles with drugs, peer pressure, and family neglect, create a culturally relatable bridge between the youth and the program.

  • 2. Divert

    Boys are brought into daily activity modules including volleyball training, yoga, dance therapy, and fitness routines — especially during “dark hours” when the risk of antisocial behavior is highest.

  • 3. Involve

    Once stabilised, the boys are integrated into long-term mentorship, career counselling, school re-enrollment, or skill training programs like YUVA by Delhi Police and PMKVY.

Weekly Activity Modules – Building a Life-Support System

ActivityPurpose & DescriptionOutcome
Volleyball TrainingConducted every evening with tournaments across slum zonesBuilds discipline, boosts morale, fosters teamwork
Yoga & MeditationHelps regulate emotions, improves breathing and sleep patternsReduces aggression, improves self-control
Fitness DanceMusic-based fitness routines that are fun and energisingEnhances participation, lifts mood
Counselling SessionsDelivered by licensed psychologists, includes trauma therapy and addiction counsellingSupports mental resilience, addresses root trauma
Motivational TalksGuest speakers and youth icons share transformative life storiesEncourages positive self-image and aspirational goals
Nutritional SupportDaily provision of bananas, black chana, juice, and buttermilkImproves stamina and post-exercise recovery

Geographic Reach: 20+ Slum Clusters in Delhi

Project JOSH is operational across over 20 high-risk locations, including:

  • South Delhi: Ambedkar Nagar, Madangir, Dakshinpuri, Tigri
  • South-West Delhi: Sagarpur, Vasant Vihar, Vasant Kunj
  • North-West Delhi: K.N. Katju Marg
  • West Delhi: Raj Park, Nihal Vihar
  • Central Delhi: Shahpur Jat, R.K. Puram
  • South-East Delhi: Sanjay Colony, Harkesh Nagar, Chhatarpur

These localities were selected based on:

  • High youth population density
  • Proximity to crime-prone areas
  • Substance abuse prevalence reported by local authorities

Outcomes That Matter: Real Data, Real Change

Behavioral Change Metrics (Pre vs. Post JOSH)

IndicatorBefore JOSHAfter JOSH
Drug abuse prevalence66%10%
School attendance40.5%80.2%
Awareness about drug-related harm15%57%
Youth taking action to stop peer usageNot measured82.7%

Random Survey Insights:

  • 95% of participants quit substance use
  • 90% expressed desire to continue sports long-term
  • Volleyball emerged as the most popular activity

Stories of Transformation

"After joining JOSH, I became physically and mentally stronger. I stopped hanging out with the wrong crowd. Today, I spread awareness in my area."

Sahil

Grade 10

📍 Shahpur Jat

Student
"JOSH came as a blessing. I train daily and hope to represent India one day. My parents say they've never seen me this committed."

Aayush

Grade 7

📍 Tigri

Student
"Kids who once used smack and charas now wake up early to practice volleyball. Parents thank us daily. We've even helped some secure jobs."

Gulshan

Volunteer Coach

Trainer Insight

Session Design & Delivery: What Makes It Effective

Each phase of JOSH is structured with monitoring and evaluation tools that track behavioral shifts, retention rates, and skill application. The team uses:

  • Baseline surveys and endline assessments
  • Observation tools to detect signs of distress or relapse
  • Focus group discussions and personal interviews
  • Feedback loops via WhatsApp support groups and community meetings

Retention & Relapse Prevention

  • 80%+ session retention rate across cohorts
  • 18.6% of youth showed early relapse signs but were successfully counseled
  • Zero reports of serious criminal behavior among JOSH graduates

Strategic Alignment with National Missions and Global Goals

Project JOSH is deeply aligned with:

  • UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
    • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
    • SDG 4: Quality Education
    • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  • Government of India Initiatives:
    • Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
    • Skill India Mission
    • YUVA by Delhi Police
    • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (for future female-centric expansion)

Official Endorsements

"Thousands of youth have been brought back on the right path through JOSH. This model must be replicated nationally."

Ms. Shakuntala D. Gamlin, IAS

Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

🏛️ Government Official
"Ladli Foundation's work through JOSH reflects a grassroots model of social reform. It is the kind of change India needs."

Mr. R. Subrahmanyam, IAS

Secretary, MSJE

🏛️ Government Official

CSR & Volunteer Engagement Opportunities

Project JOSH offers high-impact visibility and compliance for corporates seeking authentic CSR alignment under Schedule VII of the Companies Act.

  • CSR Support Can Help Us:
    • Scale operations to new districts
    • Procure sports and fitness gear
    • Train local community coaches
    • Conduct tournaments, sessions, and career fairs
    • Provide nutritional support to underserved participants
  • Volunteer Roles:
    • Sports and yoga trainers
    • Mental health counsellors
    • Career coaches
    • Outreach mobilizers
    • Social media content creators

Volunteers receive recognition certificates and training in community-based youth engagement.

FAQs: What You Should Know

Join Hands – Be the Force Behind a New Future

Every child lost to addiction or crime is a loss to society—but every child we help rise becomes a beacon of change.

Support Project JOSH by volunteering, funding a youth, or enabling district-level expansion. Let’s build an India where every young life is nurtured, empowered, and given the tools to succeed.

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