The SACCS Impact on Underserved Communities
“Underserved communities are invisible to people. Be kind. Be generous. Please be aware,” says Sudha Acharya – Founder and Executive Director of SACSS.
25 Years of Service
For nearly 25 years, the South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) has been a cornerstone for underserved immigrant communities in New York, providing critical services for those in need. SACSS is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower and integrate underserved South Asians and other immigrants into the economic and civic life of New York. Sudha Acharya, the Founder and Executive Director of SACSS, explains the core mission of her organization. “The primary reason for the establishment of SACSS was to address the needs of underserved populations requiring essential services.” Looking back on the organization’s quarter century long journey, Sudha recalls, “One of the most significant milestones in the organization’s journey occurred when we worked with the families of direct victims of 9/11, as well as those who faced persecution and lost their businesses. This effort involved supporting 46 families over nearly five years. Another major milestone was the launch of the SACSS Food Pantry in 2016. This was the first time that culturally relevant food was provided specifically for South Asians. Currently, we serve nearly 1,900 families each week, which amounts to close to 8,000 individuals a week.”
Culturally Inclusive Food Pantry
The SACSS’s food pantry is a testament to their organization skills and culturally palatable pantry where they pack South Asian staples as well as American groceries. The goal is to ensure food security for the diverse individuals and families in the community, who come from different regions, follow various religious beliefs, and speak a range of languages. The pantry is open to everyone every Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM and focuses on providing Asian food staples, fresh produce, and is staffed with multilingual workers to assist the diverse community. Sudha recalls the profound sense of satisfaction that comes from providing such a basic necessity, stating, “Providing food, a basic necessity, gives us a deep sense of satisfaction.”
Adapting to Crisis
SACSS has a strong tradition of adapting to the needs of its clients and community. The organization consistently steps up to help, designing programs to address emerging challenges. When COVID struck, many clients faced devastating losses, unable to travel back to their home countries for funerals or to find closure. In response, SACSS introduced bereavement and grief counseling. They ensured every client felt seen, heard, and supported by transitioning to virtual services while continuing to offer essential healthcare access and delivering groceries to the most vulnerable. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new community center, elected officials praised SACSS for its resilience during the pandemic, with one remarking, “SACSS kept people alive during COVID.”
Building Trust and Support
The organization has a team of 22 members who are fluent in 20 languages including 12 South Asian and Mandarin, Chinese, French Creole, Spanish & Tagalog. SACSS is more than just a generous food pantry; it fosters a sense of security that supports and strengthens individuals’ mental well-being. Mary Archana Fernandez, Director of Family Support Services at SACCS shared that the staff members at SACSS help their clients with many challenges. “Many of SACSS’ clients are immigrants isolated in their communities due to limited English proficiency, low education levels, high poverty and unemployment rates,” she explains. “SACSS offers immigrant communities a safe space where they feel comfortable coming to us because we have a relationship of trust with them.”
Culturally Tailored Programs
SACSS’s ability to offer culturally sensitive and effective programs is also key to its success. The organization has tailored its services to meet the unique needs of different communities. For example, women’s-only yoga class was created after women at a local mosque expressed interest in such a program. This led to the launch of the “Wednesdays for Women” program, which offers a nurturing space for self-care and emotional wellness for South Asian women. “Each session begins with yoga to improve physical and mental health,” says Mary. “This is followed by a session on emotional wellness, such as managing anxiety, body image, or relationships.”
Vibrant Seniors Program
Twice a week, SACSS offers a lively space for seniors to socialize and have fun! Activities like Bollywood Night, Antakshari, collage-making workshops, reading groups, and more help create a vibrant senior community. Every Tuesday, there’s a yoga class, and Karaoke is a favorite pastime! Seniors can enjoy time with peers while also accessing resources to support their mental well-being. “The senior programs provide South Asian seniors with a venue to address their socio-economic needs and improve their overall quality of life. From connecting seniors to crucial benefits, to emotional support and recreational activities – we provide multiple services under one roof,” explains Mary. Individual counseling is also available. SACSS offers psycho-educational workshops on elderly mental health, stress reduction, managing seasonal depression, and empowering mental wellness. All of these services are completely free!
Sewing for Success
This unique program empowers immigrant women, including those from South Asian and AAPI communities, by teaching them sewing skills and providing work-from-home opportunities. The women in the program are even given metro cards, so they can commute to SACCS. They learn to stitch South Asian outfits, baby clothes, and some western apparel too. Once the women graduate from the program, each woman is given the sewing machine she worked on while at SACCS to start her own home-based sewing business. This helps these women not only become financially independent by equipping them with a trade skill they can use to earn income from home, but also reduce their financial anxiety.
Impact and Expansion
Founder and Executive Director Sudha Acharya is excited as the organization approaches its 25th year anniversary in May 2025. Looking back on SACSS’s journey, she reflects on her proudest moments as a leader, “My proudest moment is seeing the smile on a client’s face when they are being helped by our excellent team of 22 staff members. It brings me immense satisfaction to know that we have made a positive impact on their lives. This feeling of pride has occurred many times, and it truly makes our work meaningful.” While much has been accomplished, Sudha’s commitment to expanding SACSS is unwavering. “We continue to see a significant need in the tri-state area, and there’s growing interest in New Jersey to establish a branch there,” she adds.
Plans for expansion will begin in 2025, marking a new chapter in SACSS’s ongoing mission. As organization continues to expand its reach and impact, Sudha emphasizes the ongoing mission, “Our work is not yet complete, which is what motivates all of us.”
