Neerupama presents ‘Ragas & Rhapsodies’

‘Ragas & Rhapsodies’ provides an evening to glance into the issues of global poverty and Neerupama’s movement to empower the lives of street children in Kolkata.  The event includes globally renowned Jeffery Sachs, Director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute, followed by a classical fusion concert with Purbayan Chatterjee on sitar and Samir Chatterjee on tabla.

Neerupama is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 2008, with the mission to empower “street children” to realize their potential through programs in English literacy, health and hygiene awareness building, and the performing arts. The organization has been administering programs for the past year in Kolkata and Mumbai for more than 200 street girls between the ages of 5-14 with the goal for them to avail better education & employment opportunities in the long-term. For more information, please visit www.neerupama.org.

When: Friday, April 30, 2010, 6pm – 9:30pm
Where:  Aicon Gallery, 35 Great Jones Street (between Lafayette & Bowery)
How Much:  $150 fully tax deductible and includes cocktail, concert and a gift bag created by Neerupama girls.  Enter the code ‘neerupama’ for a $50 discount on the ticket price.

Buy tickets online or send a check to:

Neerupama
2373 Broadway, #629
New York, NY 10024

Children’s Hope Annual Ladies Lunch – Cinco de Mayo

Join Children’s Hope for a festive and fun filled afternoon of cheer, beauty, jewelry and margaritas!  The organization will be honoring Rohini Dey, the owner and founder of Vermillion, as the Woman of Distinction.

The belief of the founders of Children’s Hope India, Inc. is that Every Child Counts. Their mission is to give impoverished children in India a chance for a brighter future. Their belief is that clean water, regular medical care, a secure food supply, and access to education can revolutionize a child’s life.

When:  Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at noon
Where:  The Swan Club
   Shore Road, Glenwood Landing, NY
How Much: $75 donation per person

For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

Manavi’s 25th Anniversary Gala

Join Manavi in celebrating 25 years of standing together, celebrating women’s strength and inspiring acting.  Manavi is a New Jersey-based women’s rights organization that works to end all forms of violence against South Asian women living in the U.S. The  evening will include dancing, music and a silent auction that will benefit survivors.  Special guests include Zeenat Aman and Joya Dass.

When:  Saturday, May 8th, 6:30pm
Where:  Hyatt Regency Jersey City On The Hudson
   Manhattan Ballroom
How Much:  $150 and $175 after April 22nd (tickets include cost of after party)

Tickets can be purchased online or by mailing a check to:

Manavi
PO Box 3103
New Brunswick, NJ 08903

Joya Dass and Aiden Murtagh teamed up to produce “First Sight” which was shot in Tamil Nadu, India in December of 2009.  Joya is a well-known television news reporter in New York City, and Aiden Murtagh is a New York- based businessman. “First Sight” follows the plight of three sight-challenged children and two doctors through the Sankara Eye Care Institute in Coimbatore. 

“While shooting ‘First Sight,’” says documentarian and director Joya Dass, “we traveled to remote and poverty-stricken villages of Tamil Nadu.  We saw children ranging from the ages of 3 months to 13 years, sitting in the middle of the road…with heaps of non-biodegradable garbage all around them. We realized that the waste would not magically disappear.  This inspired us to combine our cause of raising awareness for curing eye disease in India and hosting a green fashion show promoting ways of saving the environment.”

The Sense and Sustainability fashion show will feature Swati Argade and Helen Asir, designers committed to using Indian and fair-trade resources to further the green and sustainable fashion movement. It will also showcase the work of sustainable menswear designers Marcus Hicks, owner and founder of SarahDixonsNova or SDN, and Rachel Lyra Hospodar of Medium Reality, both of whom fashion clothes from recycled, organic and reclaimed materials.  

Event Details

When: 6 PM-9 PM
Where:  Aicon Gallery
35 Great Jones Street
New York, NY

Ticket Information: General Admission $50, VIP Admission $75
Buy tickets online here. 

The Designers

Swati Argade chooses fabrics and embroideries whose production helps sustain the maintenance and development of local economies and ancient traditions.  For her “Made in India” line, she has traveled all over the country developing materials in partnerships with artisan cooperatives based in Indian villages. Their sustenance relies on these age-old art forms.  Her latest endeavor “Bhoomi” is a 100% Made in the USA, eco-friendly raincoat line made of recycled plastic bottles and organic Texas-grown cotton.

Helen Asir’s journey into fashion began when she became frustrated trying to buy sustainable formal wear for her children, and could only find a small selection of very high-priced items often containing traces of polyester. So Helen journeyed to the only place she knew she could find luxurious organic silk, pure silk, and natural stones for ornaments: India. All fabrics in her collections can be sourced from materials native to our natural environment. 

Marcus Hicks will be one of the featured menswear designers of the event. His funky line of suits, Sarah Dixons Nova, are made from recycled vintage cloth and organic cotton. 

Rachel Lyra Hospodar is the only non-New Yorker featured in Sense and Sustainability.  Based in the SoMa district of San Francisco, her design studio is called “Medium Reality.”  She gives vintage shirts, vests, and blazers a second lease on life using laser etched applique, salvaged trim and patches, and reclaimed fabric.   

Founded at the initiative of President Clinton in 2001, the AIF is a leading Indian diaspora foundation focused on helping those in India, and is acknowledged as a trusted bridge for Americans to channel their philanthropy towards India. Since its inception, AIF has raised over $50 million to invest in education, livelihoods, and public health programs.  Created a little over three years ago, the NYYPC seeks to bring together young professionals in the New York area to educate them about AIF’s mission and serve as a vehicle to contribute to India’s development. The NYYPC aims to focus on a different AIF project each year.

The NYYPC expects over 200 young professionals to attend this benefit. Congressional candidate and Kansas State Representative Raj Goyle will be the keynote speaker at the event in addition to Dr. Sanjay Sinho, CEO of AIF, who will provide an overview of the 2010-2011 initiative, SAATH. Winner of the 2009 “Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award” from the World Economic Forum, SAATH’s mission is to utilize market-based strategies to create inclusive societies by empowering India’s urban and rural poor.

Guests will also be treated to a live dance performance by Infin8 and have the opportunity to bid on many exciting silent and live auction items. 

To purchase tickets to the benefit click here.  

SAYA! is a non-profit community based organization working to develop skills, talents, and leadership potential of South Asian youth living in New York City. Through a range of supports and services, SAYA! provides South Asian youth, ages 11 to 19, with safe spaces to learn, grow, play, and contribute to their communities, and each other.

Each year, more than 400 young people, with roots in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Guyana, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad, take part in SAYA!’s center and school based programs. Among the services provided by SAYA! are academic and career preparation, recreational and artistic opportunities, individual and group counseling, and leadership and organizing activities. Through its programs and advocacy efforts, SAYA! works to create broad social and systemic changes that positively impact immigrant youth.

Hear straight from the youth of SAYA about the impact the organization and its people has had on their lives.

To continue to help these youth, attend this Wednesday’s event and/or reach out directly to SAYA to see what you can do. There is a $20 suggested donation at the door and all proceeds from Wednesday’s event benefit SAYA! programs.

CitySaheli found these South Asian charities that could really use your help this holiday season.

New York Asian Women’s Center (NYAWC)

Violence against women is an issue that permeates across cultures.  In an effort to empower Asian women who may not otherwise seek help, New York Asian Women’s Center provides a safe haven for women in need. Either through volunteering, or attending an event, you can promote their cause by helping women get out of bad situations and secure a better life for themselves and their children.  NYAWC has a special need for volunteers who speak South-Asian languages, particularly Bengali, Gujurati, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.

South Asian Council for Social Services

The South Asian Council for Social Services is dedicated to providing South Asian Americans immigrants and refugees with programs, services, and activities to assist integration into American society, while achieving economic self-sufficiency.  They offer ESL classes, a healthcare access program, and special programs for parents.

South Asian Youth Action! (SAYA!)

If you’re looking to make a longer commitment, consider mentoring a South-Asian student aged 12-19 years old.  SAYA! (which means shade in Hindi) affords you the opportunity to provide a young South Asian with the support and encouragement to aim high and reach their goals.  Founded in 1996 in Elmhurst, Queens, SAYA! is the first organization to provide such a service in the United States.

New York Cares

If you’re looking to make a one-time volunteer commitment or continue working with the same charity time after time, New York Cares provides you with the most comprehensive database of upcoming projects. With numerous methods to search for volunteer opportunities, ranging from location, time of event, and type of event; we are confident that you will find a number of places eager for your time this season.

We hope you find time this Thanksgiving to serve in soup kitchens, shelters, courts, classrooms, offices, gardens, and homes around New York City. Consider this your call to action: the season of giving begins with you.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancer. This form of cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells of the breast. The disease occurs primarily in women, but men can get breast cancer as well. 

This October wear your pink and help support this cause.  CitySaheli has found several breast cancer walks in the New York area.  Participate in a walk near you and take steps toward inspiring survivors, increasing awareness and the importance of early detection, and raising money to find a cure.  YOU can make a difference!

Avon Walk for Cancer (39 miles over two days)
Weekend of October 10th & 11th
New York, NY

American Cancer Society
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Sunday, October 18th & Sunday, October 25th

New York Walks (October 18th): Central Park, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, and Westchester.

New Jersey Walks (October 18th): Jersey City, Newark, Paramus, Parsippany, and Woodbridge.

Connecticut Walks: Hartford (October 18th), New Haven (October 25th), and  Westport (October 25th).

Susan G. Komen NYC Race for the Cure

Although the walk took place on September 19th with over 25,000 participants, the foundation is continuing to raise funds until October 31^st.  The foundation is trying to meet its goals of raising $6 million to provide community-based organizations  aid to provide life-saving breast health, education, screening and treatment to people in New York City, Long Island, Rockland and Westchester Counties.  The foundation has walks all over the country in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

What is Sakhi?  Sakhi for South Asian Women is a community based organization in the New York metropolitan area committed to end violence against women.  The group uses an integrated approach that combines support and empowerment through service delivery, community engagement, media advocacy and policy initiatives.

Sakhi provides various services to South Asian women including legal information and referrals, shelter resources, translation assistance and accompaniments to courts, hospitals and other public service offices.  A critical component of Sakhi’s service is a monthly support group exclusive to women.  This year alone Sakhi has reached out to 403 women (January 1 to June 30, 2009).

Support Sakhi and its outstanding achievement of aiding and supporting South Asian women.  For more information please visit http://www.sakhi.org

First Sight is a documentary investigating the world of curable blindness. This November, Joya Dass and Aiden Murtagh will lead a team to India to shoot this documentary about eye disease and curable blindness. Joya Dass is a journalist based in New York City. She has worked with CNN and ABC as a financial news reporter. She is best known to the Indian community as the face of the popular show AVS. Aiden Murtagh is a business consultant based in New York City.

Aiden and Joya are co-producing this documentary to investigate the massive problem of eye disease in India and shoot the problem on the ground. They will follow several patients as they pass through the Sankara system, giving them the gift of sight. They will also visit several of the facilities setup by the foundation and speak with the doctors and support staff.

The documentary’s mission is to raise awareness in the western world about this problem and highlight the work that great organizations like Sankara are doing in an effort to eradicate curable blindness in India.  Raising awareness will increase the donation base which means there will be more surgeries available  for people who need them.

Support the First Sight documentary fundraiser by coming to the historic Ear Inn in NYC this Friday, Sept 25^th. Your contribution will directly fund the production of their documentary.  Tickets are $45 which includes unlimited food, beer and wine.  There will also be a silent auction featuring photographs by Robert Caplin.

Purchase tickets for this event at:
http://www.firstsightthemovie.com/Fundraiser.htm

What’s Lakshya?  This very cool organization is run by children who live on the streets of Delhi, India.  Most of these children earn a living through pulling rickshaws or polishing shoes while they should be going to school and playing.  This youth has come together to help the younger generation.  Their vision is an inclusive society for street children where they can get shelter, education and employment.  They also strive for a more eco-friendly atmosphere.

To raise money for their cause, this group sells colorful inexpensive bags.  The look – Vera Bradley meets jute.  It’s a cool product and a little of your money sure goes a long way.  Their hip, cool, biodegradable, not very expensive and save lives.

Right now these bags are not found in the US, but we are hoping that changes soon.  Presently, you can find them next to St. Mary’s Covent School, Village Bhatola, Tigaon Road, Faridabad (Haryana) India.

For more information email lakshyabk@indiatimes.com

Honored guests include Princess Padmaja Kumari Mewar, from the royal house of Mewar, Rajasthan, and Consul General of India, Ambassador Prabhu Dayal.  The evening will honor AJ and Poonam Khubani, Founders of Telebrands and Ravi Akhoury, former Chairman & CEO of Mackay Shields and a trustee of AIF and Rubin Museum, with the CH Lotus Award for philanthropy.  The Making a Difference Award is being presented to Dr. Surendra Kaushik for the opportunities provided to young women in Rajasthan through the Helena Kaushik College.

The evening will begin with cocktails, followed by special entertainment and end with dinner and dance.  Dress is black tie or traditional Rajasthani.  Don’t miss this magical night in Rajasthan.

When: Sunday, October 11, 2009
Cocktails begin at 6:30 pm

Where: Grand Hyatt Hotel
New York, NY

Cost:  $250pp ($130 tax deductable)

For More Info: www.childrenshopeindia.org