CLiC Forum social impact grew from personal experience, not policy design. For Girish Mehta and Anisha Sharma, the problem was clear because they lived it. Both grew up in orphanages. Both faced the same fear at 18, when support systems ended and independent life began.

Today, at 27, Girish Mehta and Anisha Sharma run CareLeavers Inner Circle Forum, known as CLiC. It is a peer-led platform built by careleavers for careleavers. The focus is simple. Help young adults transition out of care homes with documents, support, and community.

Life After Leaving Care

When Girish Mehta learned he had to leave his orphanage, panic set in. He had no clear plan, no safety net, and no home. He made calls looking for work that also offered shelter. He found a role with the children’s helpline 1098 in Jaipur.

That job exposed him to how the system works. He interacted with police, child care institutions, and non-profits. He also saw how many careleavers struggled once they turned 18. Most lacked documents, jobs, and guidance.

A Small Group Becomes a Platform

In 2019, Mehta started a small WhatsApp group. It included 20 to 25 careleavers from different orphanages. The group allowed members to ask for help, share leads, and support one another.

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, this group became critical. Careleavers lost jobs and housing. Many had no access to government aid due to missing documents.

In 2021, Mehta approached UNICEF for support. He was advised to register a non-profit. That step led to the formal launch of CareLeavers Inner Circle Forum.

Anisha Sharma Joins the Mission

In 2022, Anisha Sharma joined CLiC as co-founder and CEO. She is also a careleaver and grew up in Delhi. Like Mehta, she faced fear and confusion at 18.

While volunteering, she saw that conditions in Rajasthan were more difficult, especially for girls leaving care institutions. She chose to stay and build CLiC full time.

Her focus added structure to the organisation and strengthened its outreach.

What CLiC Does

CLiC supports careleavers in practical ways. Its platform helps young adults secure essential documents such as Aadhaar cards and voter IDs. Without these, access to jobs, housing, and welfare schemes becomes difficult.

CLiC also connects careleavers to government schemes, skill training, shelters, and jobs. Beyond logistics, it offers peer support and emotional care. Members talk to people who understand their experience.

So far, CLiC has connected over 3,000 careleavers across India. It has helped more than 500 people complete documentation. Around 150 have entered skilling programmes, and over 300 have received financial support.

Policy Attention and System Change

In 2023, Sharma raised the issue of careleavers at a public awards event. She spoke directly to Smriti Irani, who was then Minister of Women and Child Development.

The next day, CLiC secured a meeting with ministry officials. The team pushed for systemic change. This effort led to a central directive asking states to build verified careleaver databases and aftercare services.

A national letter followed. It named CLiC as a point of contact and was circulated to state and union territory officials. The move helped standardise aftercare discussions across regions.

Building Credibility and Support

Early on, fundraising proved difficult. Mehta recalls that few took the organisation seriously. Support improved after UNICEF backed CLiC and funded early documentation work.

CLiC later joined the Nudge Incubation Cohort in 2023 and NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore. These programmes helped the founders understand the social sector and strengthen operations.

CLiC is now part of Change Engine, an accelerator for non-profits. Leaders there note that careleavers remain a group often missed by policy and funding.

Looking Ahead

The founders want CLiC to become self-sustaining. Mehta hopes careleavers who receive support will later support others. The aim is to build a cycle of shared responsibility.

The CLiC Forum social impact story highlights a gap that often goes unseen. When care ends at 18, support should not. Through lived experience and clear focus, Girish Mehta and Anisha Sharma are building systems that help careleavers stand on their own feet.

FAQs

Q1. What is CLiC Forum?
CLiC Forum is a peer-led platform that supports careleavers as they transition out of orphanages at age 18.

Q2. Who founded CLiC Forum?
CLiC was founded by Girish Mehta and co-founded by Anisha Sharma, both careleavers.

Q3. What support does CLiC provide?
CLiC helps with documents, government schemes, jobs, skills, shelter, and emotional support.

Q4. How many careleavers has CLiC helped?
CLiC has connected over 3,000 careleavers and helped more than 500 with documentation.