A Message from the Board

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A steady stream of outreach and educational events have kept the Awaaz team on their feet unrelentingly throughout last year.

In January the Awaaz team attended and shared facts about DV and it’s domino effect with a concerned and sensitive audience at the World Music and Dance Around the Fire event in the Brick, King Williams District, San Antonio. In February we attended the seminar on DV Policy organized by the Texas Council of Family Violence Prevention Services (TCFV), Asian Family Support Services of Austin (AFSSA) and the Texas Coalition for Asian Survivors in Lakeway Resort, Austin, TX. It was thought provoking, inspiring and so much fun to work with this dynamic group of people as we drew up strategies to strengthen the coalition and inform policy in order to make a direct impact on Asian immigrant families. We are humbled and honored to be part of this coalition. In March we participated in and spoke at the 33rd annual San Antonio International Women’s Day March event organized by the Esperanza Center and other equal rights promoting non-profits based in and around San Antonio. It was held at Milam Park near the historic Market Square downtown San Antonio. Women and men of all ages, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life turned up with a glow in their face and spring in their step. The energy was palpable and the conviction and passion, awe inspiring. This was not just about Women’s Rights, it was about dignity and basic human rights for all, especially the marginalized segments of society. The theme for this year's event was inspired by the words of Fannie Lou Hamer “Nobody is free [until] everyone is free…” Thank you organizers for inviting us to this meaningful, thought provoking and uplifting event.

In April we were delighted to attend and speak at the Hindusthani/Karnatak classical music concert sponsored by Dee Creations at Hindu Temple of San Antonio, set in the lush green Hill Country. In May we hosted “Our Children, Our Future” which was our first in-person post pandemic seminar held in the conference room of the Business School at University of San Antonio (UTSA). This seminar brought together esteemed speakers, academics, activists, and passionate individuals who care deeply about the future of our children and the world. There was open, highly informative and thought provoking debate and discussion on topics such as child trafficking, education, gender equality, and social justice. We are indebted to the faculty, particularly to Dr. Ritu Mathur, the staff, and Dean of the Political Science and Geography Department of UTSA for co-sponsoring the event with us, and for the Events Coordinating team for facilitating the event so expertly.
Our heartfelt thanks to our longtime advisor and supporter, Dr. Lopita Nath and her team-the teachers and students of Rhythmosaic School of Kathak Dance for organizing a fundraiser for Awaaz and inviting us to speak at the Nimitz Middle School in May. The dazzling repertoire also demonstrated the influence of medieval India’s Islamic traditions on this ancient Indian classical dance form as well as its link to Flamenco.  Also thank you Dee Creations once again for giving Awaaz a platform-showcasing our PSA video and offering us a table this time at the Dil Se Musical Concert at the Carver Center in May. Later in May our enthusiastic team of volunteers got an opportunity to interact with UTSA students actively for a full day and understand the issues concerning them. In May the Awaaz Board invited our volunteers to a luncheon to show our appreciation for all they do to promote our mission. Our team had a wonderful time relaxing and just catching up with one another. In June a number of our team members participated in the 21st Annual Legal Alliance for Survivors of Abuse conference hosted by the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid (TRGLA) in San Antonio. They were joined by advocates from our sister agencies around Texas.

In July Awaaz was honored to be part of the World Refugee Day event in San Antonio. We had a lovely time chatting with San Antonio Mayor, Ron Nirenberg and US Congressman from Texas, Joaquin Castro and with people from around the world! Very proud of our city for offering a home to people in crisis, regardless of nationality, race, or religion. Later that month Awaaz had a two hour in-person volunteer training session. The volunteers were given a breakdown on Intimate Partner and Family Violence; what it is, its ripple effect, and multi-generational impact. In July Dee Creations and the Bengali Community of San Antonio offered us a table at the Ajay Chakrabarti Classical Concert to showcase our brochures and informational material. Thank you for helping us to uphold our cause and message of hope to the marginalized people amongst us. Also in July our ED Jinny Suh attended the seminars and training sessions at the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) held at the Convention Center in Denton, TX. In August we participated in the Indian Independence Day celebrations hosted by the India Association of SA (IASA). In September, San Antonio’s St. Mary’s Indian Orthodox Church organized their annual charity event, called the Coconut Run, amidst the beautiful surroundings of OP Schnabel Park. Heartfelt thanks to the organizers for choosing Awaaz this year as their donee and making a big difference in somebody’s life. Also in September, the team was busy sharing our message and educating people about DV at the Health Fair organized by the India Association of San Antonio (IASA) at the San Antonio Firefighters Banquet Hall.

In October the UTSA Political Science Department collaborated with us, once again to host a Youth Seminar on campus. This half day event had speakers and panelists from various educational, advocacy, and legal non-profits organizations around San Antonio and Austin, including the Bexar County Family Justice Center, American Gateways, Victim Services of UTSA Peace Center, Asian Family Services of Austin (AFSSA-formerly Saheli) and others. In October our President, Board Members and volunteers presented and participated in the Women’s Forum hosted by the India Association of San Antonio (IASA) at the Harry Gonzalez Convention Center. Thank you IASA for giving us a platform again. In November Awaaz Board members had a panel discussion led by Travis County (Austin) Judge, Dimple Malhotra. The topic was Domestic Violence and Mental Health and was held at the Law School of St. Mary’s University, San Antonio. In December we hosted a Christmas luncheon at Royal Oriental Cuisine for our volunteers. We ended the year sharing positive news about growth and success stories about Awaaz, as well as the invaluable lessons we learned in the course of the year.