Executive Director’s Note
SACSS to celebrate 25 Years in May 2025
As we approach the 25th anniversary of the South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS), I reflect on our incredible journey that brought us to this significant milestone. Over the past quarter-century, SACSS has worked tirelessly to empower, uplift, and advocate for South Asians and other underserved immigrants in New York and beyond. After the traumatic events of September 11th, SACSS supported the victims’ families during a time of profound heartbreak and despair. This marked a turning point for SACSS, propelling it from a community-based organization in downtown Flushing, Queens, to a leading provider of social services in the New York metro region. Through our range of services – accessible healthcare, mental health counseling, senior support, a weekly food pantry, language assistance, job training, or advocating for immigrant rights – SACSS has demonstrated its commitment to being a reliable support system for those in need.
As we embark on the next chapter, we are inspired by the prospect of expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and continuing to be a catalyst for positive change in the lives of those we touch. The heart and soul of SACSS lie in the powerful spirit of unity and compassion that defines our work. Through our collective efforts, we are able to amplify the voices of the marginalized, advocate for social justice, and create a more equitable society for all.
We sincerely thank our supporters, partners, volunteers, and the community for their consistent support. We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with you all and continuing to work together with optimism and determination for the next 25 years and beyond. Thank you for being a part of our journey and for helping us build a brighter future for all.
– Sudha Acharya
Sudha Acharya on 25 years of SACSS
In conversation with Mukund Padmanabhan, Founder, Guru Krupa Foundation and a longtime SACSS supporter whose foundation played a prominent role in securing the SACSS Community Center
Honorees & Special Guests
Madhur Jaffrey – SACSS Lifetime Achievement Award
James Beard Lifetime Achievement & Padma Bhushan Award winner Madhur Jaffrey will be honored with the SACSS Lifetime Achievement Award.
Madhur Jaffrey is a culinary icon and a beloved ambassador of Indian cuisine. Her contributions have not only popularized Indian cooking around the world but have also fostered a greater appreciation for its rich flavors and diverse traditions. As an award-winning actress, author, and television personality, she has seamlessly blended her passion for food with her artistic talents, bringing the vibrant culture of India to life through her cookbooks and cooking shows. Jaffrey's recipes are more than just instructions; they tell stories of her heritage and inspire generations to explore the joys of cooking. Madhur Jaffrey’s influence transcends mere gastronomy; she has nurtured a cultural connection that celebrates the beauty of food as a universal language.
James Beard Lifetime Achievement & Padma Bhushan Award winner Madhur Jaffrey will be honored with the SACSS Lifetime Achievement Award.
Madhur Jaffrey is a culinary icon and a beloved ambassador of Indian cuisine. Her contributions have not only popularized Indian cooking around the world but have also fostered a greater appreciation for its rich flavors and diverse traditions. As an award-winning actress, author, and television personality, she has seamlessly blended her passion for food with her artistic talents, bringing the vibrant culture of India to life through her cookbooks and cooking shows. Jaffrey’s recipes are more than just instructions; they tell stories of her heritage and inspire generations to explore the joys of cooking. Madhur Jaffrey’s influence transcends mere gastronomy; she has nurtured a cultural connection that celebrates the beauty of food as a universal language.
GRAMMY®-nominated artist Chandrika Tandon will be honored with the Music for Healing Award at our 25th Anniversary Gala!
For over two decades, Chandrika has shared the transformative power of music with communities, including the seniors at SACSS. Through her Soul Call, Soul Mantra, Soul March, and Shivoham projects, she has fostered mental wellness, connection, and joy.
Her sessions with SACSS seniors go beyond teaching music—they’re deeply enriching experiences that uplift spirits and build community. By exploring the meaning behind each song, Chandrika creates moments of healing and togetherness that align beautifully with SACSS’s mission.
GRAMMY®-WINNING artist Chandrika Tandon will be honored with the Music for Healing Award at our 25th Anniversary Gala!
For over two decades, Chandrika has shared the transformative power of music with communities, including the seniors at SACSS. Through her Soul Call, Soul Mantra, Soul March, and Shivoham projects, she has fostered mental wellness, connection, and joy.
Her sessions with SACSS seniors go beyond teaching music—they’re deeply enriching experiences that uplift spirits and build community. By exploring the meaning behind each song, Chandrika creates moments of healing and togetherness that align beautifully with SACSS’s mission.
Kalpana and Anita Bhatia, the dynamic mother-daughter duo, are the proud recipients of the SACSS Philanthropy Award for their exceptional contributions to community welfare. As co-founders of the Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation, Kalpana has played a pivotal role in advancing education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives. Her support for medical research, including significant donations to UT Southwestern Hospital and the TSC Alliance, showcases her commitment to both the South Asian diaspora and broader societal well-being.
Anita, Executive Director of the Foundation, has built on this legacy with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit and healthcare sectors. She has spearheaded initiatives like the South Asian Safe Families Initiative and SOAR project, addressing critical issues within the South Asian community. Anita is also an Executive Producer of the Academy Award™-nominated documentary To Kill A Tiger and upcoming short film Anuja, elevating South Asian voices globally.
Both women’s advocacy, including Anita’s focus on neurodiversity, has created a lasting impact. We are excited to present them with the SACSS Philanthropy Award for their extraordinary leadership and dedication.
Aasif Mandvi is a versatile British-American actor, comedian, and writer, best known for his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. His sharp wit and ability to blend humor with social commentary made him a standout figure on the show. Mandvi’s acting career spans both television and film, with notable roles in The Brink, The Last Airbender, and Spider-Man 2. He’s also known for his work in theater, including his one-man show Sakina’s Restaurant. Beyond entertainment, Mandvi is an outspoken advocate for issues like racial equality, immigration, and social justice, using his platform to challenge stereotypes and raise awareness. His work both on-screen and off showcases his commitment to creativity, diversity, and thought-provoking conversations.
Executive Director’s Note
As we approach the 25th anniversary, I reflect on our incredible journey to this milestone. Over the past quarter-century, SACSS has tirelessly empowered and advocated for South Asians and underserved immigrants in New York and beyond. Following the trauma of September 11th, we supported victims’ families in their time of need, marking a turning point that propelled us from a community-based organization in Flushing, Queens, to a leading social service provider in the New York metro region. Through accessible healthcare, mental health counseling, senior support, a weekly food pantry, language assistance, job training, and advocacy for immigrant rights, SACSS has been a steadfast support system for those in need.
As we move forward, we are inspired to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and continue to drive positive change. At the heart of SACSS is the spirit of unity and compassion that fuels our work—amplifying marginalized voices, advocating for social justice, and building a more equitable society.
We thank our supporters, partners, volunteers, and the community for their unwavering support. We look forward to celebrating this milestone and working together with renewed optimism for the next 25 years and beyond. Thank you for being part of our journey and helping us build a brighter future for all.
– Sudha Acharya
Milestones
SACSS: 25 YEARS OF EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH SERVICE AND SUPPORT
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2000
South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) is founded in response to critical issues raised around the tremendous barriers to social services faced by New York City’s fast-growing South Asian community.
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2001
SACSS was deeply committed to working with the families of the victims of 9/11 during their time of need, providing empathetic grief counseling and support.
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2002
Launched Basic and Advanced English classes for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, a 12-week program teaching academic and conversational English to help clients improve their conversational skills and build confidence when seeking employment.
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2004
Released “Unlocking the Golden Door:” A report on the needs of South Asian New Yorkers based on interviews with 629 individuals. .
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2007
Launched Healthcare Access Programs that today serve over 60,000 individuals annually, ensuring our community is informed about and has access to public health issues and services.
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2009
Amid the Global Financial Crisis in 2008-2009, SACSS staff members took a pay cut in order to help the organization survive tough times during the economic downturn.
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2012
To expand its services and programs, SACSS moved from the Holly House Community Center in Flushing and opened its office at 143-06 46th Avenue.
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2014
Launched 12-week Computer Classes focusing on hardware and software programs, enabling students to enhance their job skills.
2014
Launched Senior Support Services, including individual and group counselling in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi & Bengali, that now serve older adults annually.
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2015
Launched a Youth Leadership program to prepare participants (ages 13-17) for communication skills, creative writing, public speaking, college readiness, and community engagement. Youth Leadership Program, 2015
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2016
Introduced the first South Asian culturally palatable food pantry, specializing in Asian food staples, in New York City that serves 1,700 families weekly.
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2018
Launched the Culturally Responsive Collaborative of Queens to connect hard-to-reach populations with healthcare access.
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2020
SACSS celebrated its 20th anniversary of service to the community with special guests including Sendhil Ramamurthy, Zarna Garg, Sree Sreenivasan, and many others.
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2021
Opened our permanent two-story community center in the heart of Flushing that includes a senior center and food pantry to meet the needs of our growing, diverse community.
2021
Launched a weekly Legal Clinic in partnership with CUNY Citizenship Now!
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2023
Introduced a women’s economic empowerment program, “Stitch with SACSS,” tutoring South Asian women tailoring skill sets to pursue work and enable financial independence.
2023
Launched “Wednesdays for Women” – wellness and empowerment for women in the community.
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2024
Planned expansion of mental wellness services takes hold.
2024
Data Entry classes as part of an expansion of SACSS’s workforce development initiative.
2024
Planning commences for a Resource Center to further expand workforce development services.
2024
Introduce a Community Garden for seniors to grow vegetables.
Tickets & Tables
Table(10 guests): $5,000
Individual Ticket: $550
The estimated non-tax-deductible
amount for this event is $223 per ticket.
Host Committee
SACSS Champions
SACSS Champions
SPONSORSHIPS
Your support:
- Provides South Asian groceries, fresh fruits & vegetables to 250 individuals for one year (Food Pantry) OR
- Supports 10 “Stitch with SACSS” students receive tailoring training (10 weeks) for gainful employment (Workforce Development)
In appreciation of your support:
- One VIP Table (10 guests) at SACSS’ 2025 Gala
- Main Honorees’ awards presenter
- Acknowledgement on all promotional materials for the gala including Logo on Step & Repeat event backdrop
- Name inscription in Donor Tree installation at SACSS Center
- Back page advertisement in “Celebrating 25” Souvenir print & digital & presenting
sponsor acknowledgement - Name & logo on event press release
- Logo on SACSS site for one year linking to your site
- 300X350 Banner in Newsletter
Your support:
- Provides South Asian groceries, fresh fruits & vegetables to 125 individuals for one year (Food Pantry) OR
- Supports 10 “Stitch with SACSS” students receive training (10 weeks) for gainful employment (Workforce Development)
In appreciation of your support:
- One VIP Table (10 guests) at SACSS’ 2025 Gala
- Honorees’ awards presenter
- Name inscription in Donor Tree installation at SACSS Center
- Acknowledgement on all promotional materials for the gala including Logo on Step & Repeat event backdrop
- Front inside Full-page advertisement in “Celebrating 25” Souvenir print & digital
- Name & logo on event press release
- Logo on SACSS site for one year linking to your site
- 300X350 Banner in Newsletter
Your support:
- Supports 10 “Computer Class” students receive training (10 weeks) for gainful employment (Workforce Development)
In appreciation of your support:
- 6 guests’ tickets to the SACSS’ 2025 Gala
- Acknowledgement on all promotional materials for the gala including Logo on Step & Repeat event backdrop
- Full page advertisement in “Celebrating 25” Souvenir print & digital
- Logo on SACSS site for one year linking to your site
- Name & logo on event press release
Your support:
- Supports 10 “English Class” students receive training (10 weeks) for gainful employment (Workforce Development)
In appreciation of your support:
- 4 guests’ tickets to the SACSS’ 2025 Gala
- Acknowledgement on all promotional materials for the gala including Logo on Step & Repeat event backdrop
- Full page advertisement in “Celebrating 25” Souvenir print & digital
- Logo on SACSS site for one year linking to your site
- Name & logo on event press release
Tickets & Tables
Advertising Opportunities:
25 Year Gala Souvenir
Past Gala
Past Honorees & Chief Guests
Auction 2025
Corporate, Media & Community Sponsors
Glimpses of past Gala
