About Saheli

Saheli was founded in 1996 as an affiliate of the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) with the mission of helping the community in Greater Boston. Saheli volunteers provide a wide array of support services, resources and guidance in areas of family, career and health, as well as cultural and social opportunities. The group is led by South Asian women but services and resources are offered to the entire community regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, age or gender. Saheli is guided by an executive body of core members and an advisory board of distinguished citizens. Saheli encourages community input and volunteerism.

Saheli volunteer work in the community is supported by grants from Haymarket People’s Fund, Kraft Foods, FleetBoston Corporation, Mass Community Health Network Area (CHNA) grants and donations from The Lahey Clinic. Funds are also provided by citizens, civic groups, community donations and annual fundraising events.

PO Box 1345
Burlington, MA 01803

Saheli's Achievements

Since 1996 we have built up a wealth of experience in helping the community. The work of the organization has been culturally sensitive, complex and multi-layered, we have been activists, social workers, spokespersons, advocates and above all, a supportive and caring community of women and men volunteers.

A list of our achievements includes:

• Started English classes in Burlington, Billerica, Lowell, and Enfield at no or low cost to students, Billerica and Burlington classes continue to run
• Started free computer literacy classes at Cambridge Public Library, Central Square and the class is very popular
• Created a sister organization in Nashua Saheli New Hampshire
• Created a domestic violence fund to provide assistance to South Asian families in crises
• Created a fund to help South Asian women entrepreneurs with micro-financing
• Broadcast message against domestic violence on Voice of America in India in Hindi, published articles in the Indian press about domestic violence
• Joined the Lahey Clinic Task Force Against Domestic Violence
• Sponsored book reading by Jhumpa Lahiri and Shona Ramaya in Cambridge
• Sponsored "Kamala" a play by Vijay Tendulkar, with SETU against trafficking in women
• Participated in the BASIC conference of students of Asian heritage at Harvard University
• Gave trainings and presentations to police departments in Burlington and Winchester
• Established a network of volunteer lawyers and paralegals committed to social change
• Identified shelters for women, such as the Asian Task Force Shelter in Boston
• Placed women shelters, safe and transition housing, found low cost rental housing, and provided emergency short-term help
• We have been vocal and visible in promoting the cause of South Asian women at events attended by the Mayor of Boston
• Provided emergency funds for food and clothing to homeless women displaced due to domestic discord
• Provided women referrals to language and culturally appropriate psychiatrists, psychologists and internists and assisted women to locate health-care at Asian Clinics in Cambridge and Somerville
• Made visits to prison, clinics and old-age homes, and raised the issues of cultural sensitivity to the staff
• Assisted women suffering from financial setbacks find employment, acquire workplace skills such as write resumes, dress for interviews, and transported them to job interviews
• Helped women start the legal processes for establishing their status in the US
• Helped women from out-of-state locate missing spouses, children, and relatives
• Held candlelight vigils in the wake of September 11 and the Mumbai bombings and brought local communities and groups together
• Sent donations to victims of hate crime against Indian student in New Bedford, hate mail in Arlington and the Asian Task Force Women’s Shelter
• Supported local communities-joined the walk for Hunger, the American Cancer Society
• Provided women a sense of community by creating opportunities and places to come together in friendship and share conversations, books, movies, and guest speakers.