S.M.I.L.E. - Special Minds In Loving Environment
The SMILE (Special Minds In Loving Enviornment) project is one of the newest innovative programs of Home of Hope, Inc. Youth Chapter (HOH YC), launched on Jan 27, 2019. The founder of this program is 10-year-old Amora Grover, who has an innate compassion to help children with special needs.
HOH YC is under the umbrella of Home of Hope ( www.hohinc)
ABOUT HOH
Home of Hope Inc. ( www.hohinc.org) founded in the year 1999 by Dr. Nilima Sabharwal, is a California-based, 501(c)3, non-profit charity that has ONE GOAL: To empower disadvantaged kids to become self-sustaining citizens of tomorrow. HOH Partners with struggling orphanages and schools and implements programs focusing mainly on Education and vocational training.
A DISADVANTAGED CHILD?
This covers a wide spectrum and includes orphans, destitute, physically crippled, mentally challenged, deaf, speech-impaired, blind, child prostitutes, village girl children and so on.
ABOUT HOH YC
The goal of HOH YC is to ignite compassion in the US children by interacting with the HOH disadvantaged child in India.
The SMILE project is one such example.
SMILE ( special minds in the loving environment ) PROJECT.
😀🗝❤️
SMILE is the key to the heart
Will open the heart to compassion for these special children
About Us
S.M.I.L.E program was started under the Home of Hope (HOH) Youth Chapter which was formed in 2010 and motto for HOH’s Youth Chapter is “kids helping kids”. Currently, HOH operates two US Based programs that involve volunteers in long-distance learning with students in India to make it an impactful program.
Here at S.M.I.L.E, we are driven by a single goal; to do our part in making the world a better place for all and spreading compassion for these special children. Everyone can help from anywhere in the world to communicate and teach these students and putting a SMILE on their faces.
Story of Manovikas Charitable Society
Many years ago, a young 8th grader gazed outside his school window watching a peanut seller selling his peanuts and trying very hard to save his mentally challenged child from the ongoing traffic. The peanut seller looked helpless and frustrated! This young boy was distracted and could not focus. He felt restless and then experienced a calling from the Higher Power .!!.. That "calling" was MANOVIKAS (MV) (www.manovikasfamily.org) and that young boy is ALOK BHUWAN. Today MV is a daycare and residential center in Delhi for children with special needs from predominantly low-income families.
HOH established a partnership with MV since the year 2000 in Co-creating and funding major programs.
HOH FUNDED Programs has been the catalyst for bringing awareness to the mentally challenged in India. In the year 2000 MV was a hole in the wall. Today MV is a highly reputable Institution in India, The training center for caregivers and has provided the GOVT with the national assessment standard for autism. It is The first community college providing a Mini MBA programs, skill development courses like hospitality, and the diplomas are recognized by CBSE ( central board for secondary education )and recently for the first time All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).MV Is the pioneer of the recent Disability law Act 2016: which mandate a 1% reservation in jobs for a person with intellectual disability. The list goes on and on ...
2.1% of India's population is mentally challenged. Delhi has about 2 lacs 35K mentally challenged kids. MV has empowered 5000 kids in 20years since it was founded.
MANOVIKAS In the Basement
HOH Established Partnership with Manovikas in 2000
Today Manovikas is a highly reputable institute in Inida
First Projet
Making A Difference
Manovikas Charitable Society in Delhi
Manovikas has gained national recognition. Its awareness programs, which include art exhibitions and job fairs, have earned official acknowledgement and are promoted by the Government of India. The institution was also instrumental in lobbying the Indian government to pass the Disability Act which guarantees that mentally-impaired children under the age of 14 receive an equal education and the right to attend mainstream schools. Manovikas also collaborated with the Study Center for the National Institute of Open Study and the Indira Gandhi National Open University, and now offers the Entrepreneur Development Training Program, which teaches business management to the mentally challenged.
Programs Manovikas has implemented create vocational opportunities and personal empowerment. With HOH Support they have :
Increased skills for the kids: Creation of a candle making program to provide vocational opportunities while promoting fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Speech Therapy Initiative: ensure computers and software for speech therapy, funding for a speech therapist, and related expenses.
Nutrition Plan: ensure that the children receive a mid-day snack and milk each day. This has increased community support and participation while creating healthy meals for children that boost their performance in the classroom.
Vocational Training Courses: New vocational training courses like the Retail Program and the Office Attendant Training Program have resulted in students getting well-paying jobs.
The S.M.I.L.E (Special Minds In Loving Environment) program was launched at Monavikas to build compassion. Children make a major impact on the lives of other children.
Skype/ Google Hangout
Helping The Community has become so easy
At S.M.I.L.E, we are dedicated to stepping up our efforts in spreading the magic of SMILE
You Can Help from Anywhere
Get in touch with S.M.I.L.E to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.
"A SMILE can be generated from anywhere in the world "
S.M.I.L.E Project
Smile is key to the heart
A Bit About Us
Here at S.M.I.L.E, we’re committed to investing our expertise and resources in order to further achieve our cause. Supporting the special need kids in a variety of ways and measuring our success by counting the number of smiles Just imagine what we can achieve together!
Let’s Sit Together
Privacy and Data Protection Policy
Let’s Sit Together is a mobile app designed to provide teenagers with moderated, anonymous peer support and wellness resources. The app features a teen-friendly layout centered on inclusion and emotional safety, allowing users to track moods, access crisis resources, and participate in immediate or scheduled moderated peer chats.
This Privacy Policy explains how Let’s Sit Together (“we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, and protects information in compliance with Apple App Store Review Guidelines and applicable privacy laws.
1. Compliance with Apple App Store Requirements
In accordance with Apple App Store Review Guideline 5.1, we commit to the following:
-
We collect only the minimum data necessary to operate core app features
-
We clearly explain what data is collected and why
-
We do not sell user data
-
We do not use data for advertising or tracking
-
We provide a publicly accessible privacy policy
-
We protect minors and comply with the children’s privacy requirements
2. Intended Audience & Age Restriction
-
Let’s Sit Together is intended for teenagers
-
Users under the age of 13 are prohibited from using the App
-
We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13 without consent
-
If such data is discovered, it is deleted immediately
This complies with Apple’s Children’s Privacy and COPPA-related requirements.
3. Information We Collect
A. User-Provided Information
We may collect:
-
Anonymous username or nickname
-
Age range (not full birthdate)
-
Google Email for authentication
-
School Name
-
Mood check-ins and emotional reflections
-
Messages sent in moderated peer chats which will be deleted immediately
-
Optional preferences or support topics
We do not require or encourage:
-
Real names
-
Contact details
-
Home addresses
B. Automatically Collected Information
For app functionality and security, we may collect:
-
Device type and operating system
-
App usage metrics (feature usage, session duration)
-
Anonymous technical identifiers
🚫 We do not collect precise location data
🚫 We do not use cross-app tracking
🚫 We do not use IDFA
This aligns with Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework.
4. How We Use Information
We use information solely to:
-
Enable anonymous, moderated peer support chats
-
Allow users to track moods and emotional patterns
-
Provide access to crisis and wellness resources
-
Maintain a safe, respectful environment
-
Improve app reliability and performance
-
Comply with legal and safety obligations
We do not use data for marketing, advertising, or profiling.
5. Moderation, Safety & Confidentiality
-
All peer chats are anonymous and moderated
-
Moderation exists only to ensure safety, not for surveillance
-
Messages may be reviewed by:
-
Automated safety systems
-
Trained moderators (only when necessary)
-
If the content suggests risk of harm, we may take appropriate steps to protect users by informing the school.
This satisfies Apple’s requirements for apps involving user interaction and youth safety.
6. Crisis & Wellness Resources
The App provides a list of mental health and crisis support resources.
Using these resources does not require sharing personally identifying information.
7. Data Security
We use industry-standard safeguards, including:
-
Encrypted data storage
-
Limited internal access controls
-
Secure infrastructure and authentication
While no system is 100% secure, protecting teen privacy is a core design principle.
8. Data Sharing & Third Parties
We may share data only:
-
With service providers who support app functionality (under strict confidentiality)
-
To comply with legal requirements
-
To protect user safety
-
With parental consent when required
🚫 We do not sell, rent, or trade user data
🚫 We do not allow third-party advertising SDKs
9. Parental Rights
Parents or guardians may:
-
Request access to their child’s data
-
Request correction or deletion
-
Withdraw consent
Requests can be submitted to: manpreet4@yahoo.com
10. User Controls
Users can:
-
Remain anonymous
-
Choose what they share
-
Delete their account at any time
11. Data Retention
Data is retained only as long as necessary to:
-
Provide app functionality
-
Maintain moderation and safety records
-
Meet legal obligations
Deleted accounts have data removed or anonymized.
12. App Availability
Let’s Sit Together is available on the Apple App Store
13. Policy Updates
Material changes to this Privacy Policy will be communicated within the App.
14. Contact
For privacy or safety questions:
📧 manpreet4@yahoo.com