BOSCO is an acronym for "Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Coota" which means - "The association of those who serve youngsters on the streets of Bangalore". In 1980, five students of theology from Kristu Jyothi College, Bangalore first made contact and reached out to the neglected children and youth on the streets of Bangalore. After four years of intense field study and reflection, the project was taken up as a regular activity of the Salesian Province of Bangalore. In July 1985, the first centre was purchased for the project at Magadi Road, located two kilometers from the City Bus Stand and Railway Station. Ever since, the project has grown with five centres in the city. The project reaches out to an average of 3500 young at risk on the streets of Bangalore every year.

1. BOSCO Yuvodaya : It is the co-ordinating office of the entire BOSCO project. It also serves as an open shelter for children brought from all over the city of Bangalore especially the City Railway Station and KSRTC Bus Stand. The components of BOSCO projects such as New children follow-up, Home placement, Medication, Advocacy, Missing Child Information, Street Voice, HIV/AIDS awareness, Talent enhancement, Drug de-addiction, Public Relation, Prison and observation home involvement are monitored from here. Intensive follow-up is offered to boys who are addicted to drugs.

 2. BOSCO Mane: It is a “Half Way Home” for boys below 14 years, who are willing to come off the streets. Depending on aptitudes and interests, some of them are sent for formal education while the remaining are given vocational  training in carpentry, tailoring, two-wheeler mechanics, welding, book binding or computer. The children are also provided facilities that help in their physical, emotional, psychological, ethical and spiritual growth. The educational component is coordinated from this centre. It is also a convalescence center for sick boys who are brought from other areas and centers of BOSCO. CHILDLINE, a free phone help line for children in need of care and protection works from this centre.
 

3. BOSCO Yuvakendra: It is a residential center for street boys who are above 14 years. They are helped through counseling, vocational training and job placement. Ample opportunities are provided to them to enable them to stand on their own feet. This centre assists boys to find job and rooms to stay. Regular literacy classes are conducted here and boys are encouraged to visit their families.

4. BOSCO Nilaya: It is an open shelter near the city market area for children who work on the streets, and need a place to sleep and relax. These children are involved in various jobs such as vegetable selling, vegetable picking, coolie work, loading and unloading, rag picking etc.

 5. BOSCO Nivas: It is an open shelter for the rehabilitation of the street children at Shivajinagar area. Children who benefit from the centre are mainly vegetable vendors, rag pickers, beggars, coolies, those who work in fruit shops, butcher shops, parking places, hotels and garages.

 Address
 

BOSCO Yuvodaya
91, B Street, 6th Cross,
Gandhi Nagar,
Bangalore – 560 009
Phone  : (080) 2225.33.92
Email   : bosco@vsnl.net.in
Website: www.boscoban.org