food help for poor people | support organization for needy

Community Engagement Visit & Inclusive Livelihood Collaboration

Supporting Creative Empowerment & Inclusion for Residents with Special Needs

Date: 12 May 2026

Location: Department of Social Security & Women and Child Development — Community Home for Mentally Retarded, Amritsar

Focus

Promoting inclusion, creative empowerment, livelihood opportunities, and collaborative community engagement through design intervention and exposure initiatives.

Background

OTT Foundation conducted a community engagement visit to the Community Home for Mentally Retarded, Amritsar, under the Department of Social Security & Women and Child Development, to explore collaborative opportunities focused on empowerment, inclusion, and creative livelihood development for the residents. During the visit, the team met with Ms. Savita and discussed future collaborative initiatives to enhance exposure, confidence-building, creative participation, and social inclusion.

Rationale

The initiative aimed to strengthen inclusive community participation by creating opportunities for individuals with special needs to gain visibility, exposure, and economic empowerment through creative engagement and collaborative partnerships.

Objectives

Explore collaborative community initiatives supporting empowerment and inclusion
Encourage creative expression and livelihood opportunities for residents
Promote social inclusion through public participation and exposure platforms
Support handcrafted and resident-created products through community showcases
Build long-term partnerships focused on inclusive development and dignity

Proposed Intervention

Following the visit and discussions with Ms. Savita, OTT Foundation collaborated to extend an inclusive opportunity for the residents at the Wedding Mantra Exhibition held at Sarovar Premiere, Amritsar on 21st–22nd May 2026. The initiative included:

Provision of a dedicated vendor stall for the Community Home residents
Display and sale of handcrafted products and creative works prepared by residents
Community exposure through participation in Soch ke Rang 9.0 — an inclusive fundraiser popup at a large public exhibition
Inclusive engagement with visitors, artists, and social organisations
Promotion of dignity, confidence, and creative empowerment through public participation

Institutional Collaboration

Lead Organisations: OT Transformative Foundation; FICCI FLO Amritsar; Soch Autism Society of Punjab
Participating Institution: Community Home for Mentally Retarded, Amritsar — Department of Social Security & Women and Child Development

Key Takeaways

Conducted a collaborative engagement visit focused on inclusion and empowerment initiatives
Initiated discussions with Ms. Savita regarding future community-based collaborative projects
Facilitated participation of the Community Home residents at the Wedding Mantra Exhibition
Supported residents in showcasing and selling handcrafted products through a dedicated vendor stall at Soch ke Rang 9.0
Promoted community exposure, confidence-building, and inclusive participation
Strengthened partnerships between social organisations and inclusive community platforms

Beneficiaries

Residents of the Community Home for Mentally Retarded, caregivers, special needs communities, visitors, community stakeholders, artists, and collaborating social organisations.