A Ray of Hope Event 2008
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March 2008
TICKETMASTER
ADULTS: $20
STUDENTS: $10 www.ticketmaster.com
1-800-277-1700
Sunday, March 30, 2008
2:00PM
Von Braun Center Concert Hall
Committed to
Educate
Empathize
Empower
people of South
Asian origin
SPEAKER
Mamata Misra
Author of
Winter Blossoms
and Other Poems
Contributed to the documentary film
“Veil of Silence.” Past Programs Direc-
tor of SAHELI, an organization in
Texas that assists Asian families dealing
with domestic abuse, Mamata Misra is
the recipient of YWCA, Austin's
Woman of the Year award in 2005
Performed By
45
Talented
Artists
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD - Mahatma Gandhi
Endorsed by Alabama Association of
Physicians of
Indian Origin (aAPI)
"For the Event
Sponsorship and
Advertisement in
AshaVani Opportunities"
call 256-213-9664
Guest Speaker sponsored by The Orissa Foundation (Dr. Devi and Sarojini Misra)
Ms. Dina Sheth is the founder and director of
Kruti Dance Academy, Atlanta's most renowned
and prestigious Indian Dance institution. Ms.
Dina Sheth has been teaching Indian classical,
folk and contemporary dance for over 20 years.
Under her guidance 28
students have completed "Arangetram" the pinnacle exhibition of the mastery of Bharat
Natyam.
Ms. Dina Sheth has received wide acclaim for her deep commitment to the advancement of fine arts and her artistic
excellence. The India House of Worship, Maryland awarded
her the "Dedicated Instructor" award in 1993. In 1997 and again in 2002 she received the "Artistic Excellence" award
from the Indian American Cultural Association of Atlanta. In 1998 the Secretary of State of Georgia recognized her for
outstanding contribution to the Indian American Culture. She has served as a judge nationally for many classical and folk-
dance competitions and beauty pageants. Ms. Sheth has also served as the Dance and Indian Cultural correspondence for
Namaste Asia television program in Washington D.C.
Her contributions
have been lauded by notable media
including Atlanta Journal -
Constitution, NBC Affiliate Channel 11
Television and BBC -
UK Asian Radio.
Ms. Dina Sheth was groomed in one of
the finest schools of Bharat Natyam - The College of Indian Music Dance and
Dramatics, M.S. University, Vadodara, India. Brihad Gujarat
Sangeet Samiti, a Government of India institution, has designated her as a Certified Examiner of Classical Dance.
She has choreographed and performed extensively in India
and the United States, and is a past winner of the All India Dance Competition for two consecutive years.
Dances of India are diverse, from deeply
religious to happily frivolous but always enchanting “Kruti Dance Academy presents a taste of dance masala”
Bollywood Dance
Get in the groove with the latest in
popular dances from Hindi movies! Bollywood dancing borrows from all forms
(Eastern and Western) with added glamour aiming to entice and entertain;
the effect is often sensational. Bollywood dancing is a
commercial name for modern Indian dancing. It's a combination of classical
Indian dance (which is the base), folk dancing such as Bhangra and sometimes
has a Latino and Arabic influence. It's fun and very expressive and there's a lot of
deep meaning behind music in the films.
You can actually express what the music means, through the graceful movements
of the body.
Winter Blossoms
by Mamata Misra
The red bud tree in my back yard
is dressed in bright pink
fooled by the unusual mid-January warmth.
Surely it’s spring, it says.
The weatherman shakes his head
The Alaskan front is days away
from stripping off that beautiful attire
Malathi, when you say
Surely he is going to change
when he sees his baby kick and cry
and touches the tender skin!
After all, isn’t it his own flesh and blood!
When you try not to remember
how he left you
to bleed alone
to starve
not caring
if his baby in your womb
kicked or not,
I feel like the weatherman,
knowing that the battering front
is only days away
from turning your hope into despair.
Diversity: We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams – Jimmy Carter
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has
been opened for us.– Helen Keller
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!
All forums and seminars are free of charge; please email/call us for further information
Check out our website www.ashaline.org for exact dates and venues and more….
Page 3
Calendar of Upcoming AshaKiran Events
E-ASHAVANI
Thank you aAPI for endorsing AshaKiran.
In the picture, Bhavani Kakani receiveing
the aAPI's endorsement from left Dr. Tarak
Vasavad, Vice President of aAPi; Dr. Amit
Chakrabarty, Past Presidet, and Dr. M.S.
Arun, President of aAPI.
VISION:
To be a ray of hope toward building a healthy and
harmonious community
Sudnday, March 30, 2008
A Ray of Hope Event 2008
2:00pm
Best of Bollywood
Kruthi Dance Academy
Von Braun Concert Hall
Sunday, August 24, 2008
2:30-4:30 PM
Parent Forum:
Focus on experiences related to
parenting in the US
HCCNA Auditorium; 14854 Smith
Drive, Harvest, AL
Sunday, May 4, 2008
4:00-6:00 PM
Health Educational seminar:
Pertinent Health issues
Dowdle Center; Huntsville
Hospital; 109 Governors Drive
Sunday, December 21, 2008
2:30-4:30 PM Adolescents and Young Adults Forum:
Focus on issues and experiences related
to growing up in the US; India House,
3300 Holmes Ave
South Asian Issues
Presentation at Oakwood
College.
International Student
forum held in 3/08.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
2:30-4:30 PM; Forum for “Seniors”:
Focus on aging and retirement
Public Library; 915 Monroe Street
Sunday, November 9, 2008
5:30PM ANNUAL MEETING, and
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
DINNER; Dowdle Center
Huntsville Hospital
109 Governors Drive
Kavita Kumar
Usha Lal
Vardhani Murty
Preetha Pulusani
Prasanna Ravipati
AshaKiran RECOGNIZES
VOLUNTEERS with
AK Logo SHAWLS
For their commitment and dedication 2006-2007
Vidya Sagar Reddy
Dipti Vasavada
Tarak Vasavada
Aparna Vuppala
By Empathizing: 24/7 Ashaline is available (256-509-1882)
to “walk” with the “client” without passing judgment, offering friendship, giving a hand, discussing available options, lending support, while maintaining confiden-tiality and be a ray of hope when the client need it the most to improve their physical and mental health
By Educating and being proactive
Four educational forums were conducted in 2007
1. Adolescents and Young Adults
2. Middle School Age Adolescents
3. Parents of School and College Age Young Adults
4. Health Seminar By Empowering: Two Endowments were set up to assist in “reestablishing” lives: such as reeducating, retraining people of South Asian Origin that have experienced “crisis’ situations
1.Named Endowment
2.General Endowment
Established Resource Library
Collecting Household Items
Mr. Surendar and Preetha Pulusani
Dr. Mahipal and Prasanna Ravipati Dr. Ashok and Sangeeta Singhal The Orissa Foundation—Dr. Devi and Sarojini Misra Dr. S. Rao and Lakshmi Yerubandi
THANK YOU 2007 EVENT SPONSORS!!!
EMPOWERING LIGHT SPONSORS
Dr. Narsimha Rao and Subhashini Boorgu
Dr. P. Rao and Bhavani Kakani
Guiding Light Sponsors
Anonymous
Mr. Babu and Dr. Krishna Kakani
Dr. Shashi and Kavita Kumar
Dr. Rekha Vankineni
Dr. Subbarao and Sudha Alapati Dr. Ashish and Nandini Basu
The Chauhans Dr.Ramarao and Lakshmi Inguva Dr. Ravi and Usha Lal Dr.R.Babu and Anita Kantamaneni Gemini Patel and Shefali Patel
Pillar of Light Sponosor - Ranjana Savant
Ray of Light Donors
Doctors Anjaneyulu and Vidya Alapati
Dr. Amit and Sonchita Chakrabarty
Dr. Das and Kamala Kanuru
Mr. Raj and Alka Khanijow
Dr. Tejanand G.and Vijaya Mulpur
Doctors SriKrishna and Indira Nuthi
Dr. G. S. and Radhika Rao
Mr. VidyaSagar & Dr. Samyuktha Reddy
Doctors Saurabh and Smita Shah
Dr. Koteswara Rao and Hemalata Yedla
Beam of Light Donors Mr. Choudary and Sireesha Chalasani
Dr. S.V. and Ulpala Chiyyarath
Doctors Gagan and Navadeep Dhaliwal
Dr. Vijay and Lata Jampala
Dr. Sadasiva and Shoba Katta
Dr. Scariya Kumar
Doctors Ramann and Lakshmi Nallamala
Mr. Seshagiri and Lakshmi Paladugu
Mr. Phillip Price
Doctors Murthy and Aparna Vuppala
Mr. Johnathan and Cheryl Wilson
Dr. Manmohan and Saroj Agarwal
Dr. M. and Anuradha Arun
Dr. C. Rao and Ratna Chimata
Doctors Belur and Harini Dasarathy
Ms. Lisa Davis
Ms. Radhika Kakani
Doctors Purushotham and Ranjani Kale
Dr. Anthony and Molly Kalliath
Dr. Haresh and Sarita Khanna
Dr. Dibya and Usharani Mahapatra
Doctors Ravi and Ana Mailapur
Doctors Madan and Vandana Maladkar
Dr. S. R. and Vardhani Murty
Doctors Rao R. and Saranya Nadella
Mr. Reddy and Shobha Ojili
Mr. Lalit and Ashima Pattanaik
Mr. Gopi and Vani Podila
Dr. Sarat and Minati Praharaj
Dr. Bhagbat and Puspa Sahu
Mr. Upendra and Sapna Singh
Suraj Imports of Alabama
Mr. Bhavani Prasad & Seeta Surapaneni
Dr. Prasad Vankineni
Ms. Purva Varadkar
Hope of Light Donors
Empathetic Light Sponsors
Thank You 2007 Donors Mr. and Mrs. Daryl Adams
Mr. and Mrs. Srinivas Bhat
Mr. and Mrs. Don Bishop
Ms. Candace Burnett
Mr. and Mrs. Arun Gupte
Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Guynes
Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Hay
Apr 5 : Holi by Huntsville India Association www.hiaweb.org; mad- [email protected], or [email protected] Apr 6 : Telugu New Year Ugaadi by Telugu community www.teluguhsv.org Apr 27 : Dasavatara: Indian Mythological Play at HCCNA [email protected] Apr : Tamil New Year by Tamil community contact [email protected] May : Classical Music Recital by HICPA contact [email protected] June : Camp Bharat contact [email protected] June : Temple Anniversary www.hccna.org [email protected] 256 604 4958 Sep 13 : Onam festival by Kerala community at HCCNA contact [email protected]
*2008 South Asian Huntsville Community Events !
Sep : Ramadan www.huntsvilleislamiccenter.org Sep : HIA , HTA, Gujarat Samaj Picnics Oct : Navratri celebration by Gujarati community contact Nov : Diwali celebration by Indian Students Association [email protected] Nov : Diwali celebration by Gujarati Community contact [email protected] Nov : Diwali celebration by Huntsville India Association www.hiaweb.org Dec : Bakrid www.huntsvilleislamiccenter.org * Not a comprehensive list
For updated information, check the respective websites and emails
Thank You 2007 Donors Dr. and Mrs. Rao Kakani
Dr. and Mrs. Deepak Katyal
Dr. and Mrs. Ravi Lal
Ms. Mandakini Modi
Ms. Sandra Moon
Dr. and Mrs. S. R. Murty
Mr. and Mrs. Harshad Patel
Thank You 2007 Donors Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneider
Ms. Krishna Shah
Mr. and Mrs. B. N. Srikishen
Ms. Eloise Truce
Ms. Barbara Vought
Dr. and Mrs. Tarak Vasavada
Doctors Murthy and Aparna Vuppala
BATTERED WOMEN:
Characteristic Features and Approach to Management
Devi P. Misra MD. FACP
At least 1.5 million cases of domestic violence I occur in United States each year even assuming that such violence may be
grossly underreported. About 93% of the victims are women. It is conceivable that in some areas as many as 50% of family
relationships may involve violence.
In a study at Yale University2 3.8% of women presenting to surgical services, 3.4% of women seeking psychiatric services,
and 20% of women visiting Emergency rooms in hospitals were battered. Walker3 noted 53% of men abusing their wives or
partners also abused the children while another third of spouse batterers threatened to abuse the children.
DEFINITION: A battered woman is defined as any woman over the age of 16 seen with evidence of physical (including
sexual assault) on at least one occasion at the hands of her intimate partner4 within a context of coercive control.
The "battered wife syndrome5" is a symptom complex arising out of violence in which a woman has at any time received
deliberate, severe, repeated physical assault from her husband with the minimal injury of severe bruising. The battery or abuse
encompasses emotional, sexual and material degradation as well as physical and sexual assault. Violent acts committed
ranged from verbal abuse, threatening violence to throwing an object, pushing, slapping, kicking, hitting, beating up, threaten-
ing with a weapon or using a weapon.
THE CYCLE OF BATTERING
1) TENSION BUILDING PHASE
Discrete acts like name-calling, intimidating statements, general meanness and mild physical abuse like pushing cause family
friction thereby gradually escalating tension. During this time the batterer expresses dissatisfaction and hostility. The wife
may attempt to placate the batterer in hope of pleasing him and calming him down. In general, she tries not to respond to hos-
tile acts - as the tension builds up, she finds it difficult to control batterer's anger and frequently withdraws fearing that she
will inevitably set off the explosive reaction. The withdrawal on part of wife may actually be the signal for him to be more
aggressive.
2) THE AGGRESSIVE ACT
It involves an uncontrollable discharge of tension. The batterer lashes out both physical and verbal abuse. The victim fre-
quently is left injured. During this phase the victim may actually injure or kill the batterer in self defense or be injured or
killed herself. In two thirds alcohol abuse is though part of the circumstances may be given as excuse for the violence.
3) In the 3rd phase, the batterer apologizes profusely and asks for forgiveness. Because many batterers are
charming and manipula¬tive, they show kindness and remorse and shower the victim with gifts and promises hoping that the
relationship can be saved.
In repeated cycles time and intensity of first phase increases, the third phase decreases and violence becomes more acute and
dangerous. The batterer learns that he can control the victim and does not have to put much energy into obtaining forgiveness.
By this time, the victim is demoralized and finds it difficult to leave the relationship.
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT BATTERED WOMEN
1. "Battered women are always from a lower socioeconomic group." Most studies reveal that battering occurs in all
groups regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic circumstances.
2. "Battered women must enjoy the abuse, otherwise they would leave". Studies show the battered women are not
masochists but tend to remain in abusive relationships because of intimidation, poor self-esteem, or economics.
3. "A woman who gets beaten probably provoked her partner". This belief is held by victim herself. Violence, however,
resides within the batterer.
4. "The battered could have batterer arrested". Victims fear loss of income, reprisal from batterer after release. Most
jurisdictions and law enforcement officers minimize domestic violence.
5. “If a battered Woman remarries she usually chooses another violent man". Not true at all. Many make a conscious
effort to choose someone not violent or a batterer.
THE BATTERER PROFILE6
These individuals refuse to take responsibility for their own behavior blaming the victims for their act of violence.
They have strong controlling personalities who cannot tolerate autonomy of their partners. They are frequently rigid
in their expectation of marriage and sexual attitude. They consider their wives or partners as chattel and they wish to
be cared for in most basic ways as they were cared for by their mothers. They frequently make unrealistic demands
and have a low tolerance for stress. They appear depressed and make suicidal ges¬tures but basically they are ag-
gressive and assaultive, using violence as a means of problem solving.
Charming and manipulative in relationship outside marriage they show low self-esteem, feeling of inadequacy and a
sense of helplessness, all accentuated when faced with possibility of losing their spouse.
The key is to teach them to give up violence as a way of problem solving. In most situations the well-being of
woman is best served by leaving the marriage.
WOMEN'S RESPONSES TO BATTERING 7
A. PHYSICAL RESPONSE:
In a study of 130 Canadian women in a shelter Kerouac et al (1986)8 reported that 20.7% were bothered by
sleep disturbances and disturbing physical sensations.
A variety of somatic complaints headache, insomnia, choking sensation, hyperventilation gastrointestinal symptoms
and chest, pelvic and back pain are frequent and common.
In emergency room settings enquiries about evidence for injuries or previous injuries or burns are essential. Batter-
ing generally leads to injuries of head, face, breast and upper abdomen and arms.
B. PSYCHOLOGIC RESPONSE:
Battered women showed significantly lowered self-esteem and increased anxiety, varying degrees of depression.
Landenburger (1989) indentified stages of binding which included aspects of self blame, covering up the abuse and
shrinking of self, disengaging a period of help seeking and recovering, wherein she completes grief work, tries to
find meaning in her experience, and works at the pragmatics of survival. Battered women left an abusive relationship
for two major reasons of safety - personal as well as emotional. Hoff (1990) demonstrated that the victims were suc-
cessful day to day managers but the social system continually defined battering as a personal one.
C. BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSES:
Torres (1991) provided a needed cultural comparison. Hispanic-American victims were more tolerant of abuse. Con-
cern for children was most important for 40% of Hispanic women to continue with the batterer as compared to 20%
of Anglo American women. Tendency of Hispanic women to stay in relationship longer related to pressure form ex-
tended family and/or threats to family members whereas Anglo American women were more influenced by lack of
resources.
D. COMMUNITY-BASE SPOUSE ABUSE
PROTECTION AND FAMILY PRESERVATION TEAM
Fragmentation and lack of coordination exists between different agencies catering to the families experiencing
spouse abuse.
There are no mandatory reporting requirements for spouse abuse as there are for child abuse.
1. LAW ENFORCEMENT & LEGAL ASSISTENCE
These services address the victim's need for protection and safety. Law enforcement officers either are hos-
tile or uncaring towards victims of spouse abuse. Though a primary point of contact for victims, they alone can not
prevent abuse or deter fatal attacks. They are often unwilling to arrest the perpetrators.
Mandatory arrest or written notification procedures in do¬mestic violence cases may be the best method to
meet victim's needs for protection. Victims need to know the civil and criminal protection available to them.
2. MEDICAL SERVICES:
Only 3% of domestic violence is recognized by physicians and emergency room personnel.
Victim may appear shy, frightened, embarrassed, evasive, anxious, or passive and may often cry. Frequently, the
batterer accompanies the victim to monitor what is said. The options considered are:
(a) Treatment of injuries.
(b) Suggestion to leave the violent situation includes referral to a mental health worker and police, job counsel-
ing, counseling for the batterer.
(c) Development of an exit plan.
(d) Long term aid and referral.
3. SHELTER:
Only 31% of victims gave effective rating to health care personnel compared to 56% to the shelters. The shelters
provided reassurance, perspective analysis, reciprocity, independence to the victim.
The shelter movement is credited with raising community awareness of breadth and depth of family violence and the
tragic consequences of sex role stereotyping in US society. Shelters have served as most referral source for medical
personnel.
4. SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
Social services encompass a wide range of services including information and referral, public assistance and individ-
ual, group, couple, and family counseling.
Social services and mental health agencies frequently have contact with victims of spouse abuse, perpetrators and
family members. Nevertheless many agencies respond to spouse abuse as a symptom and fail to deal with the issue
of violence.
Depression, anxiety and somatic disorders were a consequence of abuse. Abused women report greater psychologi-
cal distress and think about suicide more.
5. EMPLOYMENT:
Unemployment, underemployment and lack of employment prep¬aration and opportunities place tremendous stress.
Many abused wives feel financially strapped & dependent on batterers. Abused women who had not been employed
for many years required job training and assistance with self-esteem issues.
PURPOSE:
Spouse abuse protection and family preservation team should be multidimensional, comprehensive, coordinated, and
accountable and should provide case consultation, resource development, and community action.
It should mobilize needed services serving as a valuable resource to local judiciary system, and making also
the victims aware of public or private community services that could be of help. SUMMARY:
The spouse abuse or battering occurs irrespective of race, religion or cultural background. Approximately 10 to 12
married oriya women or girls, presently in the USA, having gone through such hardship served as an eye opener to
this undercurrent of a social issue and warranted a succinct comprehensive review as outlined above.
A RAY OF HOPE
Total Calls: 98
Crisis 29
South Asian Challenges
Education and development of young
children
Drug and substance abuse
Marriage arrangements for kids
Marital problems and spouse abuse
Lack of facilities for social and cultural
interaction
Preservation of family values
Caring for old South Asians
Andy Watson: Maynard, Cooper and Gale, P.C.
Mike Segars: Melvin, Bibb, Segars, and Pinson
Huntsville Hospital
Office and Telephone service: Anonymus
Website: Sudha Alapati, Chakri Devarapalli
And Tekdynamics
Sudha Alapati
Shobha Bhat
Dr. S.V. Chiyyarath
Ulpala Chiyyarath
Mamta Dave
Anjali Gupte
Gulshan Hoyt
Bhavani Kakani
Dr. P. Rao Kakani
Swapna Kakani
Anita Kantamneni
Kavita Kumar
Dr. Deepak Katyal
Dr. Ravi Lal
Usha Lal
Adithi Madhwesh
Jyothi Madhwesh
Nikita Maladkar
Manda Modi
Vardhani Murty
Dr. S. R. Murty
Meera Rao
Anand Ravipati
Prasanna Ravipati
Vidya Sagar Reddy
Sudha Srikakolupu
Jayanthi Srikishan
Indu Thakur
Kanika Thakur
Purva Varadkar
Dipti Vasavada
Dr. Tarak Vasavada
Dr. Aparna Vuppala
Lakshmi Yerubandi
A Ray of Hope Event 2007
Volunteers
AdeptMedia
CFDRC
Vijaya Gummadi
HCCNA
7 Board Members
A Ray of Hope “In Kind” Services THANKS!
Sudha Alapati & Kavita Kumar Co-Chairs Zarna Amin
Shobha Bhat Dr. S.V. Chiyyarath Ulpala Chiyyarath Chakri Devarapalli
Anjali Gupte Anita Kantamneni Ajesh Khanijow
Dr. Ravi Lal Usha Lal
Dr. Vandana Maladkar Prasanna Ravipati Vidya Sagar Reddy Jyothi Madhwesh
Dr. S. R. Murty Vardhani Murty
Sangeeta Singhal Indu Thakur
Kanika Thakur Dipti Vasavada
Dr. Aparna Vuppala
―What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal,‖ Albert Pike
2008 Event Committee
India House
Khanitech (Ajesh Khanijow)
Multicultural Center
ALL THE
VOLUNTEERS
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services DHHS publications No HRS-D-MC 86-1 Washington D.C.
Government Printing office 1986.
2. Mcleer S. Anwar R. A study of battered women presenting in an em¬ergency department. AMJ Public Health
79 (1) : 65-66 1989
3. Walker L.E. The battered woman syndrome. N.Y. Springer 1984.
4. Rounsaville B. Weisman MM. Battered Woman. Int. J. Psychiatry Med. 1977-78; 8:191.
5. Parker B.Shumacher DN. Am.J. Public Health 1977; 67:760.
6. Stenchever M.A., Stenchever D.H. Abuse of women W.H.1 Vol.1 No 4. 187-192.
7. Campbell JC, Parker B, Battered women and their children, Annual Review of Nursing Research 10: 77-
94.1992
8. Kerouac. s et al (1986) Health Care for women International Dimension of Health in Violent Families 7. 413-
426.
9. Landenburger K (1989) Issues in Mental Health Nursing 10. 209-227
10. Hoff L.A. (1990) Battered women as survivors. London Routledge.
11. Torres. S (1991) Issue in Mental Health Nursing 10. 297-308.
Page 9
Frequently asked questions about AshaKiran
What is AshaKiran?
AshaKiran was formed (Jan 2006) by volunteers in the Huntsville community as a non profit organization to fill a community need, for the purpose of providing assistance and counseling to South Asian origin people (for now) in our community that are experiencing “crisis” situations. Due to language barriers and cultural stigmas, South Asians when faced with problems such as abuse, financial troubles or just need a friendly ear, did not have anywhere to turn. Now volunteers who share similar cultures and language are available through a 24 hour telephone line called Ashaline which started in May 2006 to provide support.
What happens when I call Ashaline? When you call, a trained volunteer will give you information about services in the community, to resolve the crisis. If you are new to the community and want to connect with people from your country or state of origin, if you have health issues that are critical, and need information on clinics and physicians that might suit your needs because of financial and cultural concerns, if you have a disabled child and are unsure about what services are available, if you have domestic violence issues and need to know what your options are, if you cannot speak fluent English and need translators for specific reasons, if you need transportation in crisis situations, and in legal and immigrant crisis, these are some of the things that
you will want to call Ashaline for.
When someone calls Ashaline, how is the call information kept confidential?
Apart from the volunteer that answers your call, your name and specific personal information will not be discussed even among the AshaKiran volunteers. The Ashaline volunteers go through extensive training at CSNA apart from orientation at AshaKiran to handle the crisis calls in a caring and confidential manner.
They sign a special confidentiality agreement.
What communities are served by AshaKiran?
For now, AshaKiran is serving people in North Alabama who have their origins in India as well as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Srilanka, people of South Asian origin.
Where does the money donated to AshaKiran go? Money from donations is mainly put into endowment funds, Ashaline and operations. AshaKiran is run by all volunteers, no salaries are paid. Operating expenses in 2007 were minimal
Who can volunteer at AshaKiran? Anyone of South Asian origin can. You can volunteer your time for translations, transportation, events, education, take the training at CSNA to be an Ashaline volunteer and answer calls. You have a lot of choices on how you can volunteer. If you choose to donate money without volunteering your time, that’s fine too. At AshaKiran, we try to keep the names of volunteers confidential unless they themselves choose to tell about their involvement with AshaKiran.
If someone you know is suffering in silence and
needs help, please call
(Hopeline) 256-509-1882
How can you help?
Interested in volunteering, please check the appropriate boxes:
Direct Services: help clients on
Ashaline (after completing CSNA training)
Community Education
Newsletter/Database
Events
Marketing/Website
Grant writing
Finance
Tax Deductible Donations are welcome
(Checks payable to AshaKiran and mail to:
P. O. Box 12311, Huntsville, AL 35815)
Amount: $__________________________
Name:_____________________________
Address:___________________________
__________________________________
Phone: ______________________
Email: ______________________
Please cut out this portion and mail
“It takes courage to make a change”
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give – Winston Churchill