By Yalini Saranya | Center Manager
Our Story, Our Mission, Our Impact
Since 2016, Shanthi Maargam, meaning "Pathways to Peace" in both Sinhala and Tamil, has been dedicated to creating safer, more supportive communities where children, adolescents, and young people can thrive. As a community-based, non-profit organization, Shanthi Maargam works to reduce violence, strengthen mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, and build resilience among children and families living in underserved urban communities. Guided by the belief that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment, the organization combines evidence-based psychosocial support with a deeply rooted, community-driven approach that places dignity, trust, and inclusion at the centre of its work.
At the heart of Shanthi Maargam's work is its Youth Centre in Colombo, a trusted safe space where children and young people access free and culturally responsive services that support their emotional, social, and personal development. Through counselling, Positive Youth Development (PYD), life skills education, creative and recreational activities, academic support, parenting programmes, community outreach, and awareness initiatives, the organization provides holistic support that responds to the diverse needs of children, adolescents, and their families. Services are delivered in Sinhala, Tamil, and English to ensure accessibility and inclusion for all communities.
What distinguishes Shanthi Maargam is its long-standing presence within the communities it serves. Working closely with children, parents, schools, community leaders, and local partners, the organization has built strong relationships founded on trust, consistency, and mutual respect. Through regular community engagement, home visits, and sustained partnerships. Shanthi Maargam has become far more than a service provider, it is a reliable source of support that families turn to during everyday challenges as well as times of crisis. This trusted community presence enables the organization to identify emerging needs early, respond effectively, and create lasting positive change.
Over the years, Shanthi Maargam has expanded its impact through innovative and evidence-based programmes that promote mental health, violence prevention, gender equality, and social cohesion. Its work includes individual counselling, psychosocial support, school and community outreach, youth leadership initiatives, the PARIVARTHAN programme promoting positive masculinity, and community-based interventions that strengthen emotional wellbeing and resilience. By combining direct service delivery with prevention, capacity building, and community empowerment, Shanthi Maargam addresses both immediate psychosocial needs and the underlying factors that contribute to violence, exclusion, and poor mental health.
The organization's impact extends well beyond individual children. Parents and caregivers have become active partners in supporting their children's wellbeing and strengthening community resilience. Parent support groups have evolved into safe and empowering spaces where families share experiences, build knowledge, and take collective action to support one another. Communities increasingly recognize Shanthi Maargam as a trusted institution that stands alongside them during difficult times while helping children develop the confidence, life skills, and resilience needed to build brighter futures.
Today, Shanthi Maargam continues its mission of creating pathways to peace by investing in the mental health, protection, and holistic development of children and young people. Through strong community partnerships, evidence-based programming, and a commitment to inclusion and dignity, the organization remains dedicated to building resilient children, empowered families, and safer communities where every child has the opportunity to learn, heal, and thrive.
What Your Support Will Do
Your contribution will directly support:
1. Safe Spaces for Children
2. Mental Health & Psychosocial Support
3. Education Support
4. Nutrition & Basic Needs
5. Community & Parent Engagement
Creating Safe Spaces Where Children Can Thrive
Every day, Shanthi Maargam's Youth Centre continues to provide a safe, welcoming environment where children and young people can learn, play, and grow with confidence. Many of the children who attend the centre come from households experiencing poverty, family conflict, violence, or other difficult circumstances. At the centre, they find far more than a physical space; they find caring adults who listen, supportive friendships, and opportunities to build confidence and discover their strengths. Through structured educational activities, Positive Youth Development sessions, creative arts, recreational programmes, language classes, and life skills education, children develop resilience, improve their communication skills, and gain the confidence to make positive decisions about their future.
Supporting Mental Health Through Community-Based Care
Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing remain at the heart of Shanthi Maargam's work. Our team continues to provide child-friendly, culturally responsive counselling and psychosocial support to children, adolescents, and their families who are facing emotional distress, trauma, anxiety, grief, family challenges, and other psychosocial concerns. Alongside individual support, regular community outreach, home visits, and parent engagement activities help us identify children who may be at risk and connect them with appropriate services at an early stage. By working closely with families, schools, and community members, we create a strong support network that enables children to feel safe, supported, and better equipped to overcome life's challenges.
Strengthening Families and Building Community Resilience
Sustainable change begins within families and communities. Shanthi Maargam continues to strengthen relationships with parents, caregivers, schools, and local leaders to create environments where children can flourish. Parent meetings provide practical guidance on positive parenting, child protection, emotional wellbeing, and effective communication while also creating opportunities for parents to support one another. Community outreach activities further strengthen trust between the organization and the families we serve, allowing emerging needs to be identified quickly and ensuring that vulnerable children receive timely support. This collaborative approach empowers communities to become active partners in protecting children and promoting their healthy development.
Looking Ahead
As the needs of vulnerable children continue to evolve, Shanthi Maargam remains committed to providing consistent, holistic, and community-driven support. We will continue investing in safe spaces, mental health and psychosocial services, educational support, nutrition programmes, and community engagement initiatives that strengthen children's wellbeing and resilience. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe and supportive environment where they can realise their full potential. With the continued generosity of our supporters, we can continue creating pathways to hope, healing, and lasting positive change for children, young people, and families across the communities we serve.
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