Our Mission: To directly improve the lives of exploited, at-risk, destitute children and the forgotten, suffering elderly, enabling them to become "beacons of light" and share the same gifts of peace, goodwill, and generosity with others for the rest of their lifetimes.We help the poorest and neediest children and elderly, and the forgotten destitute, with the basic human needs: food, shelter, medical services and educational assistance. As we believe that every human can and should stand on his/her own, we are there to help the destitute begin to help themselves.About us:Operation Shanti, a San Francisco, California-based nonprofit, was formally established in 2004 to help the poorest and neediest gain status and their rightful place in their society. Operation Shanti's first efforts in India were organized around helping families living on the streets of Mysore. On a daily basis, Operation Shanti volunteers provided meals and medical assistance to those living on the street. In 2008, Operation Shanti opened the Karunya Mane shelter on the outskirts of Mysore to provide street and slum children with a permanent shelter. From its inception, Operation Shanti has partnered with locals working in the nonprofit sector in Mysore. Operation Shanti has an Indian board of directors, which advises and assists on local operations. The U.S. board of directors focuses on fundraising and provides legal and administrative support.