Since 2009, Sikh Family Center has been standing with survivors of family violence using an empowerment approach. This Vaisakhi, guided by the spirit of Sikhi, let us unite our collective strength against gender-based violence.
A donation towards our Urgent Action Fund will ensure survivors feel less stress about immediate urgent needs that could compromise their safety and wellbeing.
What is an Urgent Action Fund?
For many people, the lack of access to immediate financial resources becomes a major obstacle to their next day of safety, non-violence, and a possible journey towards health, love and respect. Our Urgent Action Fund was created to address this gap, providing critical safety needs during the most dangerous times for survivors, such as separation and post-separation.
Your timely donation can prevent further harm and increase safety for:
- A mother escaping violence with her young children who may need food, children’s clothing, temporary housing, and a prepaid phone.
- A young Kaur in need of in person group therapy sessions.
- An undocumented person in need of safe transportation, or filing fees for immigration/legal documentation.
These urgent needs reflect the importance of flexible, responsive funding to provide survivor-centered and culturally tailored services. In three separate situations we supported callers with the same needs!
Over a six month period Sikh Family Center has fulfilled the following requests through our Urgent Action Fund:
Winter and spring clothing for growing children and mothers
School supplies
Shoes for children
Diapers
Groceries: Atta, dals, rice, ghee, spices, milk, vegetables
Professional Process servers for restraining orders
Bed sheets
Toiletries
Transportation
Compensation for Mental Health professional leading in person support groups for Sikh/Punjabi women
What types of calls has Sikh Family Center responded to?
Our National U.S. Non-Emergency Helpline supports the physical and emotional wellbeing of the Sikh community, with a particular focus on gender justice. The bilingual Helpline has expanded from one trained volunteer Sikh crisis counselor in 2011, answering 5-10 calls per month, to 10 peer counselors fielding 939 calls in 2024. These include calls from women seeking therapy, mothers fleeing violence, and families of homicide victims needing support.
Who Responds to Sikh Family Center’s National U.S. Helpline?
Our trained, bilingual community volunteers (known as peer counselors) work alongside survivors, providing trauma-centered, culturally responsive, compassionate support over several months, working to address the complex, intersecting needs that arise in their journey to healing. Peer counselors also connect survivors with resources as survivors reclaim and rebuild their lives.
Don’t know how much to give?
Become a monthly donor!
Your support now can empower individuals towards a better and safer tomorrow. Together, we can envision a future where every family thrives in peace, love and equality.
