About Us
ABOUT SAHARA
ABOUT US
SAHARA serves survivors of all forms of abuse within the South Asian community in Southern California with culturally sensitive and linguistically specific services.
At SAHARA, we firmly believe that every human being regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, deserves to live a life of dignity and respect.
The SAHARA family is committed to serving the growing number of South Asians in Southern California by providing them with services, support, skill development, resources, information and culturally sensitive and multilingual assistance that they might need.
Our services are available to all populations however our target population is the most vulnerable and marginalized South Asian community members, which include people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1991, SAHARA (Hindi word for support) represents the agency’s focus on providing medical, legal and social services to help members of the South Asian community in Southern California to deal with the personal crises and the unique challenges facing immigrant residents. Historically, the South Asian community is steeped in a deep sense of tradition and community pride. SAHARA builds upon this concern for community by mobilizing and organizing professionals in the South Asian community – using their skills, knowledge and experiences to help the less fortunate members of the community become self sufficient and productive members of the American society.
All staff, in addition to English, speak Hindi or one of the four major languages or 200 dialects spoken by immigrants from South Asia. SAHARA provides free services on a wide range of issues facing resident immigrants including family youth conflict, child/elder abuse, teen pregnancy, immigration, financial and employment issues. SAHARA also offers educational seminars to promote public awareness on issues relevant to the South Asian community, in office consultations with attorneys or other key decision-makers and periodic health fairs for senior citizens. Volunteers also organize events and seminars to help senior citizens of South Asian origin to make necessary adjustments to American culture.
