Help Launch “Project Khesi” Engaging Sikh Boys & Men!

What is Project Khesi?

Khesi translates from Punjabi to a type of warm blanket, especially worn by men. “Project Khesi: Weaving Warmth and Safety,” will specifically and intentionally call in (versus “call out”) men & boys, often not included in discussions around ending gender-based violence. 

Through its warmth, Project Khesi will not only raise issues of gendered violence in our families that otherwise proliferate in shadows, but also create an ongoing conversation to intervene on unhealthy dynamics, preferably before they become a vicious cycle. 

Why should you support Project Khesi? 

To stop cycles of violence before they start! To intervene on cycles before they worsen!

• We need multi-pronged, whole-family, whole-kaum solutions. 
• We must understand and address the root of violence without excusing any violence.
• We recognize that engaging men is not the same as disinvesting from women.
• We are following the lead of the survivors we serve: in the past 14 years so many have told us that they wished someone would work with the boys and men in an organized, safe way.

We see how gender biases HURT boys and men, while also giving them messages of superiority. This combination is often at the root of the violence boys and men end up perpetrating, that further causes cycles of harm.

All initiatives under the umbrella of Project Khesi will seek to call in more boys and men as well as mainstream the idea that conflict management, conflict resolution, healthy communication, and parenting are skills that can be developed towards positive cultural change: hurt people do not always hurt other people, provided they get the right opportunities, commitment and support. 

Let’s amplify that conversation today!

What will funds be used towards?

Hiring a Project Manager (Job Description to be Released as soon as we raise funds!) who will work on  the development, dissemination, evaluation of new initiatives under Project Khesi, including:

• Male focused listening/Suniyae circles 
• Videos to promote healthy Sikh masculinity
• Launching an anonymous men's survey on "Generational Violence" to gather input, needs, evidence and strength around all-gender, multigenerational project.
• Creating parenting workshops/resources starting from pre-K ages

The engagement will be best received by males, when the messaging is by a male, comfortable and equipped to work on gender justice, in collaboration with Kaurs (all our current staff and leadership).

Help us push our efforts to the next level and continue to bring positive change in our community!