CROSS was a spontaneous response to a dehumanising suffering caused by a Hood in 1986 in parts of Villupuram Ramaswamy Padaiyatchiar Dist, then South Arcot District. There was a great loss of life, cattle and food stuff. The effort was heralded by a group of Social and Medical profesionals who were concerned with the plight of the poor and marginalised.

Over the years CROSS has been in the service of the rural poor and has had the privilege of working and learning from the people. It enjoys a close rapport and the confidence of the community in the fifteen villages where it is presently involved.

The registered office is located at Muttathur on Villupuram - Gingee road, Villupuram Ramaswarmy Padaiyatchair District. Tamil Nadu.

CROSS is a Voluntary Organisation approved by the Home Ministry to get Foreign Contribution and also is exempt from the Income Tax under 80G Act.

THE JOURNEY:
At the time of initiation of programmes, relief was the immediate need. CROSS responded to this need in collaboration primarily with EFICOR and also through IRDP of the district rural development agency. The next calamity thai batercd the community was drought. CROSS responded with supply of essential commodities, medicines, employment generation activities etc.

It was soon realised that relief measures will not bring sustainahle changes. Therefore "RELEASE" had to bereplaced for "RELIEF'. In other words; eradication of poverty and not alleviation became the focus.

With this background CROSS was able to develop a set of programme measures with community as it's focus using participatory methodologies. This includes participatory strategic planning, participatory people's review, participatory training and evaluation. CROSS was rewarded with enlarging it's vision to look beyond the immediate, develop new insights and to keep pace with changing situations, needs and emerging trends.