Services
Awaaz’s is a culture specific advocacy group working with people affected by Domestic Violence (DV) in the South Asian communities of San Antonio and surrounding areas.
Confidential Helpline:
We offer confidential peer support via our helpline — 210-446-6464. If we do not answer the call or text immediately, please leave a detailed message with a safe number and time to call back. Please include special instructions, if any. Your safety is of paramount importance to us, and we would like to be as prepared and discreet as possible while returning your calls. Our client advocates will respond to messages/texts within 24 hours of receiving them. Our advocates, who will be returning your call, currently speak: English, Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Odia, and Assamese. We can get Punjabi, Marathi, Malayalam, Kashmiri interpreters after the initial contact, if needed.
If this an emergency, please call 911.
Confidential Referrals:
We provide clients with referrals to appropriate agencies and professionals for assistance with legal issues and options, medical services, emergency shelter, as well as counseling. We work closely with various organizations and have MOUs with some of them. Family Violence Prevention Services of San Antonio( FVPS- Battered Women and Children Shelter), Salvation Army Shelter, Texas Rio Grande Lagal Aid (TRLA), Texas Advocacy Project( TAP), Family Justice Center(FJC), Catholic Charites, Dress for Success, The Refugee and Immigration Center For Education and Legal Services (RAICES), Texas Family Violence Prevention Services(TFVP) and South Asian sister organizations around the country.
Small Financial Help:
Awaaz maybe able to give some financial assistance to victims for their immediate needs. Financial assistance would be contingent upon the availability of funds at the said moment.
Resources
Where do I find help?
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911 now.
- If you are not in immediate danger call or text on Awaaz’s confidential helpline at 210-446-6464 or email us at awaaz.sa@gmail.com
Outreach Efforts:
Domestic Violence Education within the South Asian Communities:
Our trained volunteers spend considerable time educating the South Asian communities about Domestic Violence and its far-reaching and multi-generational impact. They provide comprehensive information about available options and resources so that the survivors can make informed decisions. Methods include engaging community members in dialogue and reflection via in-person seminars, webinars, publishing a quarterly newsletter with in-depth articles, making video and slide presentations, skits, booths and tables at South Asian events around town.
South Asian Cultural Education to Domestic Violence resource organizations:
Awaaz Board, Advisors and volunteers actively reach out to Domestic Violence Organizations and relevant resource organizations, to introduce and educate them about South Asian cultures and social norms so that they are well prepared to serve our clients effectively and with respect. Methods include making in-person slide and video presentations, webinars, engaging them in conversations, inviting them to speak to South Asian communities and attend South Asian events, and guiding them to educational material about South Asian and our quarterly newsletter. Our active networking with the organizations listed below has gone a long way in bridging cultural gaps between them and South Asian survivors of Domestic Violence.
Emergency Numbers
Hotline
Family Violence Prevention Services Hotline(24 Hours a Day, 365 Days a Year)
The Rape Crisis Center
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Human Trafficking Hotline
National Suicide Hotline
Department of Family and Protective Services: Abuse/Neglect Hotline:
Other Resources
TAP: Family Violence Legal Line:
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA)
Catholic Charities, Immigration Services
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT US
Contact Information:
Asian-Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence:
Grace Huang, ghuang@api-gbv.org
ASISTA Immigration Assistance:
Cecelia Friedman Levin, cecelia@asistahelp.org
Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network:
Rosie Hidalgo, rhidalgo@casadeesperanza.org
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence:
Terri Poore, terri@endsexualviolence.org
National Network to End Domestic Violence:
Monica McLaughlin, mmclaughlin@nnedv.org
Tahirih Justice Center:
Archi Pyati, archip@tahirih.org
Safety Planning
Here are some recommendations that could help you stay safe if you are a victim or survivor of domestic violence. Please contact Awaaz’s confidential helpline
210-446-6464 for further support.
You can download Awaaz’s Safety Planning guide & checklist here :
