During the first half of 2023 some of the calls we have responded to include:

• A caller seeking guidance on how to support their friend who is in an abusive relationship
• A mom seeking emotional support, while navigating the legal systems to protect herself and her children from an abusive partner
• A Singh looking for referrals to an inpatient substance use disorder treatment program that provide support in Punjabi, regardless of legal status and insurance
• A young, isolated mother exploring options in case she needs to flee with her child

Regardless of why they are calling, survivors deserve a clear path to independence, and stability. Nearly all survivors of domestic violence experience financial abuse, creating cycles of struggle. Survivors with fewer financial resources are more likely to return to an abusive partner.

Our Urgent Action Fund covers expenses for time-sensitive financial support and services we provide to callers on our National Helpline.

For example, we recently supported a Domestic Violence survivor with a general merchandise gift card to purchase household necessities for herself and her child.

Do you know the average cost of groceries for a single mom with a child? What other needs can a family have?

• Transportation whether that is fuel for car, uber, or taking the bus.
• Clothing for changing weather
• Personal hygiene items
• Cleaning supplies/laundry detergent
• Toys/stuffed animals to provide emotional support for child

Some unexpected expenses may include paying for legal filing fees; car repairs; medical bills etc. 

Your generous support can help break the cycle of financial abuse, providing survivors with the tools and resources they need to rebuild their lives with independence and security.

Imagine the impact you can make by giving today!

In the first quarter of 2023, Sikh Family Center welcomed our first full time staff member: Sanjog Kaur as our Intervention Program Manager! Sanjog brings dedication, inspiration, energy and humility, all at once. We will continue the work to intentionally strengthen our intervention programming including maintaining coverage in crisis situations (such as those we triaged during several fatalities last year). 

Calls to our Helpline continue to increase. We note this is good news--as hard as the individual situations are, folks are reaching out for support and realize they are not alone!

In March alone, our trained Peer Counselors have logged over 800 minutes responding to new calls for support from across the country on issues ranging from DV shelters to mental health support to Substance Abuse Disorder treatment to having a difficult conversation.

We need your help to develop a more robust Urgent Action Fund!

YOU can help strengthen the community by donating today!

Happy New Year!

Thank you so much for being a part of the change we all seek to make in our community.

Have you seen our new video? 

When we assess the impact of our intervention services (including our Nationwide, Non-emergency Helpline), we imagine where an individual was before they reached out to Sikh Family Center and where they are after they have received supportive and trauma-centered services through us. 

• Do they feel empowered or heard? 
• Are they more aware of local resources available to them? 
• Are they given information to make an informed decision based on their circumstances?  
• Have they developed trust to call us again, whenever they may be ready? 

The peer counselors we train and coordinate do all of this and more while providing culturally-aware  responses to anyone who calls our free, non-emergency, bilingual, and private Helpline. 

We wanted you to hear from our Peer Counselors:

"Alone and trying to navigate a foreign system during your darkest days can be overwhelming. Alone because you don't have a single supportive person in this country. Like the caller we had, pregnant and abandoned by her husband.

Or, then alone because you are surrounded by so many family and friends but don't feel like you can turn to them for help. Like callers we have who perhaps seem so 'connected' to those who don't really know what's going on in their lives...

They turn to Sikh Family Center.

Although strangers, I believe I am a familiar voice... Someone they have never met but feel connected to and trust.

I provide guidance, a connection to resources, support, motivation and hope."

The ongoing contributions of generous and justice-minded sangat like you make this seva possible! We thank you for being part of the solution. Together, we are so much stronger and safer!