STAIRS Foundation

Stairs is a New Delhi-headquartered not-for-profit, non-governmental, non- religious & non-political organisation which nurtures talented sportsmen at the bottom-of-the-pyramid so that they can use this ability as a mean of earning a living and pursue it as a career. Founded in 2000, it uses sports to help the disadvantaged break out of the vicious circle of poverty and promote inclusive social growth in their communities. The NGO is committed to providing opportunities to the young Indians so that they can lead a life of dignity. It promotes sports as an employment-enhancing vocational skill which can contribute to eradicating extreme hunger and poverty; promoting education, gender equality and empowering youth. Stairs has more than 300 centres spread across six states -- Delhi NCR, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha. Its Khelo initiative is designed especially for underprivileged youth. The NGO takes care of not only the economically handicapped but also the physically disadvantaged. Its Stairs4ability is committed to assisting people with disabilities to acquire new skills and knowledge to become fully participating members of society and gain equal access to inclusive education, employment and sports; organising sports activities for children and youth with disabilities, together with non-disabled peers to facilitate the inclusion of youth with disabilities into the community; raising awareness of professionals, officials, parents, students, employers and other members of the community. It also has a programme which besides helping drug addicts also works to keep youth away from falling prey to this evil. The programmes at its centres are facilitated by local community leaders, volunteers, coaches and managers. Stairs participates in research, policy and advocacy related activities. It engages with political leaders, administrators, corporate sector and media. Stairs awards scholarships to children being deprived of education.