Chance for Change
Chance for Change: Rebuilding Lives Beyond Bars
Empowering Reformation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration
A Society That Forgives Must Also Accept
The stigma attached to former prisoners is often deeply ingrained in society. Despite having served their sentence and embraced positive change, ex-offenders are rarely given the opportunity to start anew. The overwhelming joy of release is often dampened by the crushing anxiety of rejection, exclusion, and lack of opportunity.
It is crucial to remember that punishment ends with prison — not with release. Continued social alienation negates the very principle of reformation. If we, as a society, refuse to accept those who have changed, we risk pushing them back into the same patterns of despair and criminality that the system sought to correct.
Our Role in Rehabilitation:
SVCT actively supports former inmates in rebuilding their lives with dignity and purpose. We work on two fronts:
Employment & Skill Building
We identify and nurture inborn talents be it in art, music or craft and provide platforms for skill development.
We assist in securing livelihood opportunities across sectors including as artists, cooks, drivers, machine operators, security personnel, market workers and administrative staff.
One of our most inspiring success stories is that of a reformed artist who, after serving a 10-year sentence, now works full-time with SVCT and conducts art workshops in various prisons.
Community Sensitization & Advocacy
Through consistent advocacy and awareness campaigns, we aim to change public perception and promote acceptance of reformed individuals.
We emphasize that reformation deserves recognition, and those who strive to do better must be encouraged, not condemned.
Creative Rehabilitation Through Art
We run painting workshops in prisons such as Dasna Jail (Ghaziabad) and District Jail (Karnal). These workshops not only provide creative expression but also build confidence and purpose among inmates. SVCT provides the necessary art materials and professional guidance to inmates who show interest in visual arts enabling them to turn talent into livelihood.
Supporting the Next Generation
One of the most pressing challenges faced by incarcerated individuals is the education of their children. With most inmates being the primary breadwinners, their absence plunges families into financial distress.
At SVCT:
We receive applications from the children of prisoners outlining their needs.
We sponsor education, and provide essentials such as school bags, books, stationery, and uniforms.
We ensure these children continue their education in the same environment to maintain emotional stability and avoid social dislocation.
- Social Responsibility & Reintegration
Rehabilitation doesn’t end with employment it requires social acceptance, emotional support and community integration. Through life skills sessions, career counselling, mental health workshops and mentorship, we help reformed individuals build resilience and confidence.
We urge institutions and individuals to recognize the transformative power of second chances. Only by working together — as NGOs, communities and policymakers can we build a society that not only punishes but also heals and uplifts.
- SVCT: Empowering Lives, One Reformation at a Time
Our work is rooted in the belief that true justice goes beyond punishment, it lies in restoration. By supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners and their families, SVCT is not only changing individual lives but also contributing to a more compassionate, inclusive, and just society.