Who We are

History

Our founding Fathers

Late Rt.Rev. Leslie Newbegin CSI Bishop in Madras	His Grace most late Rev.Dr.R.Arulappa, Archbishop of Madras Mylapore.
The successive Chairmen were: Most.Rev.Casimir Gnanadikkam Arch Bishop of Madras Mylapore Rt.Rev.Sundar Clarke, Bishop in CSI Madras Diocese Most.Rt.Rev. Aruldoss James Arch Bishop of Madras Mylapore Rt.Rev.Azariah Bishop in CSI Madras Diocese The present Joint Chairmen during the Inauguration of Drop In Shelter along with Ms. Salma, Chairman TNSWB and Mr.Akbar Ali , Member Secretary, TNFLSA

Most Rev.Dr.A.M.Chinnappa, S.D.B., Arch Bishop of Madras – Mylapore		Rt.Rev.Dr.V.Devasahayam – Bishop of CSI Madras Diocese.

The Executive Committee comprises of nominated members from 13 churches and 4 Christian service organizations. These members are from all walks of life – educationists, social workers, accountancy, corporate business, the clergy and other professions.

Long serving past Executive Secretary, Mr. J. Benjamin Franklin (1980-1998).

• Post graduate in Social work from Loyola College Chennai
• Counseling training at CCC ,Vellore
• Development Administrator from Selly Oak, Birmingham
• Trainer of trainers in communication from FHI, Bangkok

During the tenure of his leadership, MCCSS was able to purchase the present administrative building and the building which houses the short stay home.

Successive Executive Secretaries who were at the helm of the organization were:

Dr.James Arputharaj, Mr.Devadoss Karunakaran, Dr.Ignatius Rozario and Mr.Christuraj Puthota. And the first Women Executive Secretary, who is currently managing the affairs of MCCSS, is Ms.Isabel Richardson from August 2005. She was formerly employed in MCCSS as a Counselor from 1996 t0 2000.

The first seven years were a formation period where all were volunteers.

In 1972 socio political education of the poor became the focus of MCCSS activity with professional social workers and volunteers.

MCCSS has offered primary health care, health education and counseling services since 1974.

Urban Comprehensive Community Health Service Centre was started in 1976 in collaboration with the Madras Medical College as field training for its both medical and Para-medical students.

In the year 1983, a new thrust was given towards building people’s movement to bring about policy changes in favor of the poor people.

In 1987, MCCSS felt the need for its involvement in macro issues like urbanization and globalization.

During 1989 development education, influenced the direction in which programme planning and decision-making flowed within the organization.

In 1991, AIDS Prevention and Awareness in slums of Chennai.

In 1994 the Intervention Programme for women in prostitution was initiated with the support from Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society.

In 1995, the STD clinic was set up in the target area wherein more than 2,500 WIPs registered for regular medical checkup.

In 1996, Sangams became prominent and took up the cause of violence against women.
In 1997, Continuum of Care for People Living with AIDS was initiated with the support of TANSACS as a pilot project, an urban model.

Now, MCCSS has shifted its priority to coordinated macro level mass mobilization for people’s
development, keeping in touch with the emerging trends.