The Friends of the Haven Society was founded in April 1954. It is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1960 and Bombay Public Trusts Act 1950.
The Cardinal Gracias Institute, set up in 1979 by Theo and Tutu Moniz a physically handicapped couple – Theo had polio and Tutu had cerebral palsy, is a project of the Friends of the Haven Society.
The Institute is a home away from home for intellectually disabled adults, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. With experience gained from their own disabilities, Theo and Tutu started this home, a place where these special people would be cared for with compassion, patience, and understanding. Their work has been continued by their son Anil and his wife Shana, who themselves have spent their life caring for the intellectually disabled.
Like all ambitious projects, this Institute started with little more than a dream. With no money to set it up, its founders the late Theo & Tutu decided to write to everyone they could think of and ask for assistance. Valerian Cardinal Gracias after whom the Institute is named was a close friend of Theo and Tutu, and the moving force behind the project, which was eventually set up at Usgaon Village in Vasai Taluka of then Thane District, now Palghar. The Institute is located in a wonderful serene location in Western India known for its rolling farmlands. By the time the Institute welcomed its first inmate in 1979, the Cardinal had passed away. But his inspiration continued to fuel the efforts of this dedicated couple.
The Cardinal Gracias admits both Men and Women. There are many who cannot afford to pay for the support provided by the Institute, but they still find a place here. The Institute has several orphans who are provided for on par with paying inmates. New admissions under this category are solely dependent on the number of paying inmates, and on the donations received.
Navnit Pawar, one of the many orphaned young men they had set out to help, was trained by Tutu Moniz to cook and do other household chores, something he loves doing.
When Navnit expressed a wish to marry, they found a bride for him from the Adivasi community to which he belongs. He has two sons—Avinash and Abhijit. Navnit now works at the Institute and cares for the inmates.
Over the years, more and more people got involved in the work, and have generously provided assistance—in both cash and kind—so that the Institute can continue to provide love and care to some of the lesser fortunate among us: Our Forgotten Children.
Today the Cardinal Gracias Institute incorporates a Home for Senior Citizens started in 2023 by Anil and Shana. These Senior Citizens will be cared for with the same patience and understanding shown to the Intellectually Disabled Adults.
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