Providing services to, organizing, and advocating on behalf of South Asian communities

In June 2008, 34 South Asian community organizations from 12 regions throughout the United States announced the formation of a National Coalition of South Asian Organizations. The Coalition also released a detailed action and policy agenda focused on nine key issue areas affecting local South Asian American communities, including immigration, gender equity, and access to services. Coalition partners provide services to, advocate on behalf of, or organize individuals from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the diaspora. The Coalition also serves and represents individuals of diverse faiths including Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. 

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More about the Coalition

Coalition partners range from member-led organizations, social service providers, and volunteer collectives that focus on a wide variety of issues such as mental health, domestic violence, racial and religious profiling, and housing and economic development. Their constituents and members include low-wage workers, youth, and LGBTIQ individuals. Some of the groups were established decades ago, while others were formed in the past 5 years. 

This diverse group of partners has come together with a clear purpose: to ensure that the experiences of South Asian communities and the issues that they face are addressed in local, state, and national arenas. Coalition partners have identified nine key issue areas in A National Action Agenda, a collaborative policy platform that sets forth recommendations for decision-makers and community members. The National Action Agenda sets forth the need for linguistically and culturally appropriate services for South Asians, the importance of detailed and disaggregated data about South Asian communities, and a call for comprehensive immigration reform, among other recommendations.

The Coalition partners also intend to enhance their own work through skills-building trainings and information sharing about effective practices and models being used around the country. Next steps for the Coalition will include community and policymaker briefings, as well as capacity-building trainings and resource sharing among partner groups. SAALT currently coordinates the Coalition.

The Coalition's launch is the result of a multi-year process that has included regional dialogues and partnerships, a national convening in 2007, organizational needs assessments, and the articulation of shared social justice principles. The Coalition builds upon the vibrant tradition of collaborative initiatives, partnerships, and networks that have long empowered South Asian communities in the United States, and plans to expand its membership over the next six months.

Coalition Members

Boston

• South Asians Stepping in Solidarity 

New York

• Adhikaar for Human Rights
• Andolan
• Chhaya CDC
• Coney Island Avenue Project
• Council of Peoples Organization
• Desis Rising Up and Moving
• Sakhi for South Asian Women
• South Asian Council for Social Services
  
• South Asian Health Initiative
• South Asian Youth Action
• The Sikh Coalition
• Turning Point
• United Sikhs

New Jersey

• Manavi
• South Asian Mental Health Awareness in Jersey

Connecticut

• Sneha

Washington, DC

• ASHA for Women
• Counselors Helping (South) Asians/Indians
• Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
• South Asian Americans Leading Together

Georgia

• Raksha

Illinois

• Apna Ghar
• Hamdard Center
  
• Indo-American Center
• South Asian American Research and Policy Institute
• South Asian Progressive Action Collective

Michigan

• Michigan Asian Indian Family Services

Washington

• Chaya
• Trikone Northwest

California

• Maitri
• Narika
• Satrang
• South Asian Network

Texas

• Daya