QCCCS »

Queenie Captain Community Centre Society
The Queenie Captain Community Centre Society (QCCCS) is an outreach initiative of St Stephen's Church (CNI) established to support vulnerable communities around our church. It is not only a symbol of faith in action, but also a testament to the love for our neighbours.
QCCCS is registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 with the Mumbai Charity Commissioner’s office vide Registration Number Bom. 280/75 of 1-12-1975
Vision
Based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, the vision of QCCCS is to work for a just and liveable society through personal transformation and social action, thereby becoming a sign of hope and refuge to the communities around.

History
In the 1970s the churches in Bombay, under the influence of the new emphasis of the World Council of Churches on development, became conscious to the needs of the under-privileged and the marginalized in the neighbouring community. At St.Stephen’s, Rev.George Ninan initiated the church members into looking beyond themselves and to be compassionate and get involved in the lives of the underprivileged in the neighbourhood. The first effort was “Operation Shidovi”. Some women members of the Church volunteered to prepare food packets every morning and their husbands or sons agreed to go and distribute them to the pavement dwellers. In the process, they talked to them and were exposed to their problems. This programme was short lived but it opened the eyes of members of the Church to the needs of a section of society. On account of the awareness and interest created by this initiative, a one day conference of the members was organized on a Sunday at the Roman Catholic House in Versova. It was there that the idea of establishing a Community Service Centre was first conceived. Ms.Queenie Captain, a key leader of the Church who was known for her concern for the handicapped and other needy persons supported the idea.

In 1973 an initiative was taken to reach out to those who were socially and economically disadvantaged, by starting a milk distribution programme in partnership with Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) for under-privileged children, and expectant and nursing mother living in the neighbourhood areas of the Church. After two years of involvement in the milk distribution programme, QCCCS started the Day Care Centre in 1975. In 2002, the Study Centre was initiated. Today, the Day Care Centre (DCC) and Study Centre (SC) are the two full-fledged programmes of the QCCCS.

Day Care Centre
The Day Care Centre looks after 50 children in the age group 2 ½ to 5 years of age. Most of them are children of domestic helps. DCC works from 9 am to 4 pm, Mondays through Fridays. DCC imparts pre – school education in English. The children learn, play and spend their time productively under the guidance and supervision of volunteers and teachers. Nutritious breakfast, lunch and an evening meal of fruit and milk are provided.

QCCCS considers health of the children under its care top priority, so doctors are called to conduct regular medical check-ups. Essential vitamin supplements are given daily. To make the programme wholesome, an annual outing to a park, beach or the zoo is arranged. These facilities and opportunities enable them to get admission into regular schools. Equally importantly, the mothers can work without anxiety as they know that the children are well looked after from morning to evening. Monthly mothers’ meetings guided by volunteers and resource personnel are also held to discuss matters of common interest and concern.

Study Centre
School going children who live in noisy, crowded homes need a quiet place to study and learn. It was in response to this requirement that the Study Centre was started in June 2002. It conducts study classes for English, Hindi and Marathi medium students of Class 1 to Class 10, Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm. About 45 students attend the Study Centre. Teachers and volunteers devote time to teach the students and help them perform well in their school work. Computer classes are conducted by a trained teacher. Nutritious snacks and milk are provided every evening. Educational trips are also organised. Emphasis is placed on all round development of personality and on instilling sound values. The children participate enthusiastically in the QCCCS programmes on Independence Day, QCCCS Sunday and Christmas. To ensure that students do not drop out in the higher classes, financial assistance is provided for those studying in Class 10 and Junior College for their tuition fees.

Children are admitted to DCC and SC irrespective of religion or caste. Admission forms to DCC and SC are carefully scrutinised to ensure that the weakest among the economically weak is accommodated.
The Community Hall and the Church premises present a vibrant picture of children of various ages engaged in learning, play and extra-curricular activities. It is our hope that the values imbibed and the lessons learnt enables and empowers these youngsters to become bright young leaders of tomorrow.
Over the years the QCCCS has impacted on several hundred lives. Many of the children have completed formal education and are employed in gainful livelihood activities.

Management
The activities of both centres are run by trained teachers and support staff, governed and guided by the its management committee members - all parishioners of St Stephen's Church who volunteer their services and skills pro bono - under the stewardship of the Parish Priest.

Budget
The annual expenses for the running of the QCCCS is over INR 800,000. This amount is raised through membership, donations and sponsorship of meals/groceries.

Specific expenses are as follows:
Supporting the expenses of a child:
INR 12,000 per annum
INR 1,000 per month
Scholarship for students in the study centre: INR 5,000 per child

Donations are very welcome!
Donation cheques may be made in favour of: QUEENIE CAPTAIN COMMUNITY CENTRE SOCIETY
Donors will receive a receipt acknowledging their donation.


Contact details
The Secretary
Queenie Captain Community Centre Society
St Stephen’s Church (CNI)
Mount Mary Road
Bandra West, Mumbai 400050
Email: sscbandra@gmail.com or queeniecccs@gmail.com
Telephone: +91 (0)22 26423955, 26428803