Faith initiative


Sakhi Executive Director Purvi Shah won an award for her tireless efforts... Community Recognition Purvi Shah Wins Award at South Asian Excellence Awards Ceremony Sakhi for South Asian Women Executive Director Purvi Shah was honored at the South Asian Excellence Awards event on May 10th, receiving the Social Service Achiever of the Year Award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to ending violence against women and supporting survivors of domestic violence. “Recognizing Sakhi’s critical work with South Asian women and families through Sony Entertainment's South Asian Excellence in Social Service Award shows how far the community has come in acknowledging the very real dangers of domestic abuse,” said Sayu Bhojwani, a Carnegie Corporation consultant and former Commissioner at the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs in New York City. “The award draws attention to the stellar work SAKHI is doing under Purvi's leadership. I also hope the award increases awareness in our community about the prevalence of domestic violence and emboldens others in difficult situations to come forward and seek assistance,” she added. Purvi, who started with Sakhi as a volunteer 12 years ago, has been critical in spearheading progress at the organization, which under her purview saw its call volume more than triple from 201 in 2001 to 727 last year. In addition, her efforts enabled an important court rule mandating that interpreters be made available to Limited English Proficient individuals in New York State for civil and criminal cases. Priti Mehta, associate director of community outreach at the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation, extended her congratulations to Purvi and drew a connection between the efforts of their respective organizations. “I congratulate Purvi Shah for her well-deserved Social Service Achiever of the Year Award,” she said. “In my own work heading community outreach at the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation,where we are continually working to de-stigmatize people with paralysis, it has been particularly inspiring to see how Purvi Shah has worked in a parallel capacity helping the victims of domestic violence,” she observed. At the event Purvi spoke of the continuing violence in our communities as evidenced by recent domestic violence homicides as well as the fact that more survivors and their family members are reaching out to access resources. “Both survivors of abuse and people who love them are realizing they do not have to live with abuse. Sakhi’s work is made possible by the courage of survivors and their loved ones as well as a fabulous team of individuals who work together in the belief that we deserve safe homes and strong communities,” she observed. Former Sakhi Executive Director Prema Vora also congratulated Purvi on her achievement, saying she provided an important example of positive action. “Purvi provides hope that violence against women in all its forms can stop if each of us in the community take action,” Prema said. “She is an inspiring South Asian leader and works to create positive change in people’s lives every day. The South Asian Excellence Award given to Purvi for her efforts at Sakhi is a well-deserved acknowledgement of her dedicated service to the community." The ceremony, where accomplished South Asians of a variety of professional backgrounds were recognized for excellence in their respective fields, was held at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. It was sponsored by Sony Entertainment Television Asia and Wal-Mart. __________________________________________________________________________ Back to the newsletter homepage \| Provide newsletter feedback \| Visit the Sakhi website

Sakhi Executive Director Purvi Shah won an award for her tireless efforts...

Community Recognition

Purvi Shah Wins Award at South Asian Excellence Awards Ceremony

Sakhi for South Asian Women Executive Director Purvi Shah was honored at the South Asian Excellence Awards event on May 10th, receiving the Social Service Achiever of the Year Award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to ending violence against women and supporting survivors of domestic violence.

“Recognizing Sakhi’s critical work with South Asian women and families through Sony Entertainment's South Asian Excellence in Social Service Award shows how far the community has come in acknowledging the very real dangers of domestic abuse,” said Sayu Bhojwani, a Carnegie Corporation consultant and former Commissioner at the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs in New York City.

“The award draws attention to the stellar work SAKHI is doing under Purvi's leadership. I also hope the award increases awareness in our community about the prevalence of domestic violence and emboldens others in difficult situations to come forward and seek assistance,” she added.

Purvi, who started with Sakhi as a volunteer 12 years ago, has been critical in spearheading progress at the organization, which under her purview saw its call volume more than triple from 201 in 2001 to 727 last year. In addition, her efforts enabled an important court rule mandating that interpreters be made available to Limited English Proficient individuals in New York State for civil and criminal cases.

Priti Mehta, associate director of community outreach at the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation, extended her congratulations to Purvi and drew a connection between the efforts of their respective organizations.

“I congratulate Purvi Shah for her well-deserved Social Service Achiever of the Year Award,” she said. “In my own work heading community outreach at the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation,where we are continually working to de-stigmatize people with paralysis, it has been particularly inspiring to see how Purvi Shah has worked in a parallel capacity helping the victims of domestic violence,” she observed.

At the event Purvi spoke of the continuing violence in our communities as evidenced by recent domestic violence homicides as well as the fact that more survivors and their family members are reaching out to access resources. “Both survivors of abuse and people who love them are realizing they do not have to live with abuse. Sakhi’s work is made possible by the courage of survivors and their loved ones as well as a fabulous team of individuals who work together in the belief that we deserve safe homes and strong communities,” she observed.

Former Sakhi Executive Director Prema Vora also congratulated Purvi on her achievement, saying she provided an important example of positive action. “Purvi provides hope that violence against women in all its forms can stop if each of us in the community take action,” Prema said. “She is an inspiring South Asian leader and works to create positive change in people’s lives every day. The South Asian Excellence Award given to Purvi for her efforts at Sakhi is a well-deserved acknowledgement of her dedicated service to the community."

The ceremony, where accomplished South Asians of a variety of professional backgrounds were recognized for excellence in their respective fields, was held at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. It was sponsored by Sony Entertainment Television Asia and Wal-Mart.

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Back to the newsletter homepage | Provide newsletter feedback | Visit the Sakhi website