What does Sikh Family Center do? 

Sikh Family Center is the only organization focused on addressing gender-based violence in the Sikh community in the United States. Our Nationwide Helpline provides free, confidential, and bilingual services. The services include crisis intervention, appropriate referrals and advocacy. Besides questions around domestic violence and dating violence, we routinely receive calls related to mental health issues, elder isolation or even abuse, and homelessness. Sikh Family Center has been providing these services for years. Since 2023, there has been a significant increase in the number of survivors calling our helpline resulting in a need for more staff.  

How does our Nationwide Helpline work?

Our Nationwide Helpline 1.866.SFC.SEWA provides members services in Punjabi and English including crisis intervention and advocacy that increases the range of options for those most vulnerable as well as referrals to appropriate resources. Our trained, compassionate community volunteers (known as peer counselors) answer the callers with trauma-centered, culturally responsive support in Punjabi and English.These Peer Counselors have over 40 hours of training committed to supporting community members, connect you to appropriate resources, provide specific referrals and provide accurate information for your physical and emotional safety

Examples of recent Helpline activities to support callers from various states:

• Equipped survivor with the language to effectively communicate with their attorneys, thus ensuring they receive clear and accurate information regarding their case.
• Supported family with child's school transportation costs.
• Connected caller for immediate triage services from a Sikh therapist who volunteers with Sikh Family Center's Mental Health Advisory Council.
• Assisted with transportation services for court-mandated supervised visitations.
• Guided concerned community member with resources to support third party facing mental health challenges.

Job Description Requirements

1.      Be trained in crisis response; have professional experience working in anti-violence organizations. comfortable with education & outreach in Punjabi and English; and committed to working across lines of age, gender, immigration status, etc.

2.      Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with Sikh organizations and institutions, encouraging programming and outreach on intra-community issues including health; family violence; language access; child welfare.

3.      Provide cross-cultural education to non-Sikh service providers and build solidarities.

4.      Increase community awareness about our Helpline for crisis counseling, peer support, and warm referrals to necessary social services.

5.      Coordinate Helpline volunteers & maintain continuous coverage of Line.

Why Your Support Matters:

1.      Accessibility: Our helpline is free and private, ensuring that survivors have access to support when they need it.

2.      Trained Professionals: Our staff are specially trained to handle crisis situations, provide emotional support, and connect our sangat and survivors with essential resource. Our peer counselors are trained in trauma-centered. They have skills in crisis counseling, how to respond calmly and effectively under pressure.

How your donation helps?

Your contribution directly supports the hiring, training and paying the salary of a person who manages our National Helpline.

Donate Today and Make a Difference

Every donation helps us provide life-saving support to those in need.
Together, we can ensure every survivor has a safe place to turn.