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Welcome to the January 2006 edition of the
SAHELI e-Newsletter!
In this issue:
(1) From the Executive Director
(2) From the Family Advocate
(3) Hello from our new Community Educator, Sonia Ladha
(4) Review: SAHELI Workshop on Family Interactions within the Immigrant
Journey
(5) Sad Demise of SAHELI Co-Founder, Dula Misra-Graver
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From the Executive Director
As we are all aware, Domestic Violence is an epidemic
that affects countless families in our community. SAHELI is proud
to be a part of the solution to this pervasive problem by providing
critical services to countless Asian families. For example, our
social workers and advocates deal with the direct aftermath of violence
by triaging the many cases that come into our hotlines and assist
clients on rebuilding their lives. They make sure that victims’
safety needs are met, help clients navigate the complex judicial
system, and empower clients to be self-sufficient. Our advocates
tirelessly do this complicated work
all the while providing a safe and compassionate environment for
victims to heal.
However, treating the wounds alone cannot eradicate
the problem of
domestic violence. A comprehensive and holistic approach is needed.
Prevention is a key part of eliminating the devastating effects
of abuse. Fortunately, our Community Education Program is busy implementing
new projects and providing tools to the Asian community with which
to build healthy families. For this issue of E-news, I would like
to take a moment to unveil some of the exciting developments within
our Community Education Program.
First off, I would like to introduce everyone to
our new Community Educator, Sonia Ladha. Sonia started with SAHELI
three weeks ago and she has already hit the ground running. In a
very short amount of time, Sonia has already demonstrated her extensive
knowledge of
domestic violence issues and the Asian community. We are very
fortunate to have her in our midst.
One of the Community Education Projects we are currently
devising is to start working with existing systems such as law enforcement,
the legal system and other service providers to enhance their services
to better serve the Asian community. SAHELI is currently collaborating
with local and statewide agencies on developing curriculum on the
best practices of working with Asian victims. Although we are testing
new angles on how to better serve victims, this will not detract
us from our current outreach with the Asian community. We will continue
providing effective outreach and education to our diverse communities
in hopes of eradicating the perceptions or attitudes that perpetuate
violence.
Also, as a way to get more people active in stemming
domestic violence, we are overhauling our volunteer program to better
support our volunteers. The Community Educator will begin to oversee
the Volunteer Program. As I have stated many times before, volunteers
are the heart of SAHELI. We cannot do the work we do without your
support; therefore, we want to make sure that you have a positive
experience working with SAHELI. As part of the new Volunteer Program,
we will be restructuring how volunteers are placed in the agency,
assessing and developing projects that are beneficial to both SAHELI
and the volunteer, providing more education and social opportunities,
and, of course, finding constructive ways to properly thank all
of you for your support.
I have great optimism that 2006 is going to bring
positive changes and opportunities for SAHELI. Again, I would like
to thank everyone for your continued support and wish you a wonderful
start to the New Year.
In unity,
Linda Phan
Email: lphan@saheli-austin.org
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From the Family Advocate
During December 2005, SAHELI received 26 calls and
1 email for assistance, including calls on the helpline, as well
as calls/emails directly to SAHELI advocates and staff. Calls are
usually from victims/survivors, existing clients, family members
or friends of victims, advocates from other agencies, potential
volunteers, and others who want more information about SAHELI.
Out of these calls and emails, 1 was a new client
case, receiving ongoing advocacy services. Furthermore, SAHELI staff
and advocates provided 26 face-to-face sessions for 10 clients in
the month of December.
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Hello from our new Community Educator, Sonia
Ladha
I am happy to introduce myself as the new Community
Educator of SAHELI.
I come to SAHELI with a commitment to decreasing all forms of violence
from our society and hope to continue and expand upon the wonderful
work done by this organization during the last 13 years.
My previous non-profit experience includes volunteer
coordination with Planned Parenthood and community outreach/hotline
advocacy with
SafePlace. I am a recent graduate of a Master’s in Sociology,
and my
thesis examined the ways in which second generation Indian-American
women in their 20’s reconcile the often conflicting worlds
of their immigrant parents and the Western world in which they live.
The vision of SAHELI resonates strongly with me
and I will work hard to
create a world in which this vision is realized. By creating
supportive communities, strengthening community connections, and
educating our communities, we can move away from the social isolation
and cultural barriers faced by immigrants and towards a communal
world based on healthy relationships. I welcome the opportunity
to be part of this process.
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Review: SAHELI Workshop on Family Interactions
within the Immigrant Journey Contributed by Michiko Niori
In late November, I was fortunate to participate
in a SAHELI workshop held at Barsana Dham for the Indian Cultural
Center’s Children’s Day Celebration. With other volunteer
members, I participated in a workshop called “Family Interactions
within the Immigrant Journey.” It was intended to facilitate
communication between first-generation immigrant parents and their
children.
The parents first talked about how they have been
making efforts to expose their children to the culture of their
home countries. The discussion concluded with the parents coming
to a consensus to put more importance on daily communication with
their children in order to know what is going on in their children’s
lives.
The comments of the younger generation showed that:
1) they felt that their parents did not trust them 2) it was difficult
for them to adapt to two different cultures 3) they would not be
able to choose careers they want because their families force them
to pursue high-paying careers 4) they wanted their parents to be
open with their children about their fears.
Straightforward communication, without using fear
or pressure, will foster mutual trust between parents and children.
This workshop can act as a bridge to fill the gap between first-generation
immigrant parents and their American-born children. Such workshops
could be helpful in all immigrant communities dealing with the very
same issues.
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Sad Demise of SAHELI Co-Founder, Dula Misra-Graver
Contributed by Kalpana Sutaria
Sukla "Dula" Misra-Graver
11 October 1945 - 8 January 2006
On 8 January 2006, Dula passed away peacefully and
without pain, at the age of sixty. She is survived by her husband
Geoff, her children Neela and Seela, two grand children and two
older brothers and sisters. In her last hours, her husband, family
and friends surrounded her.
Dula and I met at the City while we both worked
in the Public Works Department, where she shared a lot of her life
stories with me. Dula was an inspiration. Despite encountering a
great deal of adversity, she remained a fighter and advocated for
others to fight for their rights.
She also maintained a sense of humor despite a prolonged illness.
Dula and I took volunteer training together at SafePlace
in 1992, where she subsequently volunteered actively. She was a
SAHELI peer counselor and played a pivotal role in SAHELI in its
formative years by pushing the organization to formalize its structure,
to have meetings in public places and later, by helping to start
a support group for clients. Dula will be sorely missed, as we remember
her indomitable spirit.
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