CHICAGO
A strong Chicago presence made a considerable impact at the National South Asian Summit (NSAS) in Washington, hosted by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), April 10 to 13. Chicago South Asian Deferred Action Coalition (CSADAC), led by South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI) and also including Apna Ghar, Indo-American Center (IAC), and Chicago Desi Youth Rising (CDYR), received a ChangeMaker Award for significantly advancing social justice.
SAALT Executive Director Suman Raghunathan noted, “This year’s Summit was informed by the core theme of ‘Claiming Our Power’ – and the work of CSADAC to engage the community and capitalize upon that power with respect to DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] and DAPA [Deferred Action for Parental Accountability, i.e., immigration] outreach has been nothing short of inspiring as well as innovative and forward thinking. After identifying community priorities and core strategies to mobilize our diversity to claim our power, these partners are ready to demand justice for South Asians and many others in the U.S.”
SAAPRI’s Executive Director, Ami Gandhi, spoke on multiple Summit panels to Desi leaders from across the country, sharing strategies for immigration outreach, language access to polls and leadership development. “The Summit was an important opportunity to showcase our collective work in Chicago and strides we have made towards empowering vulnerable community members. One simple way that all of us can make a difference is to tell friends and family to visit www.saapri.org/gallery/DACA or call 773-973-4444 x110 to obtain accurate information about immigration programs,” Ami told Desi Talk.
SAAPRI volunteer Chirayu Patel spoke at a Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill regarding immigration. “As someone personally affected by our broken immigration system, the Summit was very empowering, as I come back to Chicago with new friendships, strategies, and skills to push comprehensive reform that will unite our families and provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants,” Patel told Desi Talk.
SAAPRI Community Research Fellow Aditi Singh, also a presenter at the Summit, addressed violence facing Desis working in gas stations and convenience stores. “As a law student, I was inspired to learn from advocates in many different kinds of fields who are developing new and well-rounded solutions to addressing our community’s needs,” said Singh.
Apna Ghar’s work to empower women and girls was featured many times. “I return to Chicago with a deeper connection to our allies and a renewed energy to engage our clients, staff, and supporters in the movement to end violence,” said AG’s Education and Outreach Manager Radhika Sharma Gordon,.
“As a young activist, it was very inspiring to see such an integrated, intentional, and intergenerational space that constantly challenged itself to connect the struggles within our communities to the ongoing struggles with other people of color across the U.S. and abroad,” stated Harish I. Patel, SAAPRI Civic Engagement Fellow and CDYR Board Member. “I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with organizations and individuals who are committed to supporting our communities and sustaining the social justice movement,” said, IAC Workforce Development Coordinator Tanvi Shah.
Chicago-based Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services and Center for New Community also participated. “Really impressed by Chicago presence at #NSAS15,” tweeted DC-area community leader Parag Khandhar.
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