South Asian Council For Social Services makes significant community outreach

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Not even three months into 2023, the South Asian Council for Social Services, SACSS, has had significant outreach into the community in Queens, New York.

“Through our core programs healthcare access and connection to public benefits, food security and senior services, SACSS clients continue to access services that address their physical, emotional and social well-being,” noted the organization in an update from founder and executive director Sudha Acharya.

The English as a Second Language as well as Computer learning classes are up and running. And “over the last two months, our team has been actively advocating on issues such as health coverage for all, which have a major impact on the everyday life of the communities we serve,” Acharya notes.

One of its members, identified only as ‘Ms. ST’ of Indo-Caribbean origin, recounts how she took SACSS support when she lost her husband, going to the senior centers run by the organization every Tuesday and Thursday, locally. The Senior Centers help attendees learn new arts and crafts; participate in health and wellbeing talks, sing at Karaoke; and, now includes dancing the Salsa while while the yoga teacher is away.
The group also had it Valentine’s Day party!

Health Services Senior Manager Sushmita Diyali and Health Services Program Manager Maria Ariza joined members of the partner organization, Community Service Society of New York’s Community Health Advocates (CHA) Advocacy Day in Albany on January 31st. Diyali and Ariza met with New York State Assembly Members Phil Ramos and Ed Braunstein.

Additionally, SACSS, Make the Road New York, Health Care For All New York, and other partners and community members participated in the Coverage4All Campaign, launched on Valentine’s Day at NYS Governor Kathy Hochul’s Manhattan office.