MomTalk & Art Class: Supporting South Asian Mothers Through Community, Culture, and Care

Artesia, CA – MomTalk & Art Class is a culturally responsive maternal mental health initiative by Saahas for Cause, these grants address postpartum depression (PPD), maternal isolation, and emotional well-being among South Asian mothers in Southeast Los Angeles, which has a high concentration of South Asians.

Building Strong Foundations for Maternal Mental Health

Saahas for Cause hosted community-based sessions at local apartment complexes where many South Asian families reside. These gatherings convene pregnant women, new mothers, and experienced mothers to share oral histories of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum life. The primary goal of these workshops is to prevent post-partum depression. We achieved these through expert-led education from culturally specific nutritionists and mental health professionals, guidance on recognizing signs of maternal depression and accessing support, storytelling and relationship-based support to reduce isolation and creating affirming narratives of motherhood for immigrant families.

Many participants are recent immigrants whose partners work long hours, often leaving mothers socially isolated. These sessions provide essential connections, culturally sensitive guidance, and pathways to care.

To further support the expectations and new moms in their parenthood journey, we have emphasized the importance of self-care and demonstrated it by integrating expressive art therapy, communal chai sessions, and peer support. Our participants enjoyed these sessions and looked forward to the art sessions every fortnight.

These sessions foster emotional expression, mindfulness, creativity, and peer connection. To further support participants’ recovery and resilience, Saahas also offered childcare for mothers who were unable to leave their children at home, engaging the children in art- and play-based activities while the workshops were underway.

Sustaining Connection Beyond the Sessions

In addition to in-person programming, the mothers are able to remain connected through the MomTalk- Babies & Bumps WhatsApp group, allowing for continued engagement, encouragement, resource sharing, and relationship-building beyond the workshops.

Key Program Activities & Highlights

  • Oral storytelling and peer support with Pichwai art
  • Psychiatrist-led mental health discussions with Warli art
  • Kolam art and mental health kit distribution
  • Safety awareness sessions and sari draping
  • Mother–child picnics and Bollyfit sessions
  • Move. Nourish. Connect sessions focusing on holistic well-being
  • Celebration event for Moms

 

Courage & Community: Saahas Donor Engagement Event Brings Together 140 Supporters to Celebrate Resilience and Impact

Beverly Hills, CA — Saahas for Cause hosted its 2025 Donor Engagement Event, “From Prevention to Possibility,” at Spice Affair in Beverly Hills, bringing together 140 guests to celebrate prevention, empowerment, and community well-being for the South Asian diaspora. The program, emceed by Dr. Rohit Kohli and Saahas Board Member Aakriti Kundra, reflected on resilience, compassion, and collective impact.

Founded by Payal Sawhney, Saahas for Cause empowers South Asian immigrants and their families through four pillars—Youth Engagement, Women’s Empowerment, Family Wellness, and Older Adult Well-Being. Its mission focuses on culturally responsive care, prevention, and creating belonging across generations.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Board Chair Dr. Seema Arora, followed by a musical prelude and the ceremonial lamp lighting led by Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, the inaugural Consul General of India in Los Angeles. His presence symbolized growing collaboration between Saahas and the Indian Consulate in addressing community needs.

A heartfelt video showcased stories of clients, volunteers, and partners whose lives have been transformed through Saahas programs.

A key highlight was the presentation of Saahas’s “family model”—wraparound, culturally rooted support that empowers individuals at every stage of life.

A short dramatization portrayed a client’s journey from victim to survivor, emphasizing that prevention is about creating hope before crisis — because truly, “a stitch in time saves nine.”

The event also spotlighted Dhaaga, Saahas’s stitching and rehabilitation initiative that combines creative expression, healing, and mentorship to foster independence among survivors of violence and new immigrants.

Saahas recognized five leaders for their service and philanthropy:

  • Dr. Bharat Patel – Bridge Builder of the Year
  • Mr. Ghanshyamsinh Zala – Philanthropist of the Year
  • Mr. Kevin Parikh – Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Dr. Amandeep Bhalla – Physician of the Year
  • Mr. Mohan Ananda – Lifetime Achievement Award

Payal Sawhney also acknowledged challenges—from wildfires and immigration fears to funding delays—but reaffirmed that Saahas’s prevention-first approach continues to connect families to safety, resources, and support.

Saahas concluded the event by expressing gratitude to Mr. Navneet Chugh, partners, board members, volunteers, and attendees for their steadfast support. The event served as a reminder that when communities unite with courage and compassion, hope becomes possible for every South Asian family.

Contact Us: (562) 526-2508 Email Us: Info@saahasforcause.org Website: www.Saahasforcause.org

Fun Mela: Love grows when there is unity in family & community

On October 25, 2025, Saahas for Cause proudly hosted Fun Mela in Cerritos, California, bringing together more than 150 community members for a powerful day of healing, connection, and cultural celebration. Held in observance of United Against Hate Week, the event focused on breaking the silence around violence and discrimination while nurturing hope, resilience, and compassion within the community.

A Space for Reflection and Connection

Fun Mela welcomed participants of all ages to reflect, connect, and celebrate through art, movement, and mindfulness. The event balanced joy with introspection, reminding attendees that true healing begins with empathy and understanding. As one speaker shared,
“Hate doesn’t start in the streets – it starts in the heart. And healing must begin there.”

Healing Through Yoga and Mindfulness

A key highlight of the day was a yoga session focused on emotional healing and mindfulness. Through breathwork and meditation, participants explored the link between inner calm and collective harmony. Saahas emphasized yoga as a practice rooted in ahimsa, or nonviolence toward oneself and others, encouraging patience, compassion, and emotional balance as tools to counter hate and division.

Movement with Meaning

The energy of Fun Mela continued with dynamic dance workshops, including Bhangra with Blitz Bhangra and Bollyfit. These sessions celebrated cultural diversity and unity through joyful movement, offering participants a way to release stress, express creativity, and connect through rhythm and shared experience.

Community Resources and Partnerships

Saahas for Cause extends deep gratitude to the many partner organizations that supported Fun Mela by sharing resources and information with attendees. Participating organizations included the AAPI Equity Alliance, Department of Mental Health, Asian Youth Center, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ), the Indian Consulate, 211 LA, CALIF, and others. Their presence helped strengthen the event’s mission of promoting well-being, awareness, and community support.

Continuing the Commitment

Fun Mela concluded with a call to action – to continue choosing empathy, justice, and peace in everyday life. Lasting change begins with small, intentional acts of kindness and understanding. By practicing peace and compassion daily, we create ripples of harmony that extend far beyond ourselves.

Filled with music, movement, laughter, and heartfelt conversations, Fun Mela was a meaningful reminder that unity and healing begin at the heart.

9th Annual South Asian Mental Health Conference

ReseArch and community

The 9th Annual South Asian Mental Health

Consortium in San Francisco, co-hosted by

Saahas for Cause, also marked the 9th consecutive year of Saahas Youth’s active participation in the conference, created a unique platform for youth to engage, learn, and showcase their voices. Saahas provided opportunities for young participants to connect with mentors across different fields, gain confidence in practicing cultural competency, present their clinical & research work, strengthen communication skills, and build networks that support future career growth.

The gathering emphasized intergenerational dialogue, highlighting their resilience, community’s challenges, and strength within the South Asian diaspora.

The first part of the day featured youth-led research presentations (Picture 2). Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, participants explored how bias and discrimination are experienced differently across generations and how these experiences shape coping strategies and mental health outcomes.

The second part highlighted poster sessions (Picture 3), where youth presented their work on themes such as navigating cultural barriers to mental health support; creating accessible outlets for managing stress; and understanding the influence of socioeconomic status on acculturation. These sessions offered a creative and professional space for youth to share research and ideas with mentors and peers.

The third part concluded with a dynamic intergenerational panel (Picture 4). Seniors, Adults and Youth exchanged perspectives, fostering dialogue that demonstrated how collaboration across generations can inspire empathy, solutions, and collective resilience.

Start Grow Scale 3.0: A Free Mentorship Event

start grow scale

It’s that time of year when we connect community members seeking mentorship with business leaders through the Start Grow Scale event, fostering entrepreneurship within our community.

As an immigrant community, becoming an entrepreneur is challenging due to a lack of knowledge about the process and available resources. For the third consecutive year, Saahas for Cause proudly presents Start Grow Scale, bridging the gap between dreams and reality. Contact us for more details.

Accelerate your journey towards becoming a business owner or scaling your existing business and gain new skills, confidence and networks to thrive in the competitive business landscape. Sign up to be a mentee now! This event is offered at no cost.

Register Now
What can you expect from Start Grow Scale

Guidance and Direction: Mentors provide crucial guidance based on their own experiences and knowledge. This direct advice helps mentees navigate challenges, avoid pitfalls, and make informed decisions, thereby accelerating their path towards entrepreneurship.

Inspiration and Motivation: Interacting with experienced mentors can be highly motivating for mentees. It instills confidence, encourages them to persevere through tough times, and reinforces their belief in their entrepreneurial dreams.

Network Expansion: Mentors often open doors to valuable networks and connections within the industry. This exposure is critical for mentees who are building their professional network and seeking partnerships, investors, or customers for their businesses.

Skill Development: Mentors impart practical skills that are essential for running a successful business. Whether it’s financial management, marketing strategies, or leadership development, mentees benefit from the mentor’s expertise and practical insights.

Personal Growth: Beyond business skills, mentors often contribute to mentees’ personal growth. They may offer advice which are crucial for sustaining long-term entrepreneurial success.

Long-term Impact: The impact of a mentor’s time extends far beyond immediate business goals. It can shape mentees’ career trajectories, inspire them to become mentors themselves in the future.

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Stop The Hate

Reporting is the first step to stop hate. By understanding how and where hate is occurring, our communities can respond with appropriate resources and support, which can include protecting your civil rights, healing from trauma, and taking action to prevent hate from happening to others.

Victims should not suffer in silence. It is critical to report a hate incident, which includes any act of verbal or physical aggression, refusal of service, bullying, or intimidation of any kind that is motivated by hostile prejudice. We cannot do anything to stop hate crimes and incidents unless we know about them.

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If you are in immediate danger or a crime is being committed, please call 911.


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Certificate of Appreciation Award

Chapman University witnessed a significant celebration as the Indian community gathered to honor esteemed business leaders. Among the distinguished figures recognized was Payal Sawhney, the Founding Executive Director of Saahas for Cause, hailed for her exceptional leadership within the South Asian community.

The event, organized by Professor PK Shukla, Professor Yatri Shukla, and the Shah family, unfolded on January 16, 2024.

The recognition bestowed upon Payal Sawhney underscores her outstanding contributions and steadfast commitment to grassroots-level work. Saahas, under her leadership, has left a profound impact, extending assistance to 3108 older adults, offering counseling to 467 women, mentoring 73 youth, and providing community health services to 33,500 individuals over the past year alone.

In an exclusive statement, Founding Executive Director Payal Sawhney shared Saahas’ overarching objective: to create a community where abuse victims no longer face desperate searches for shelter. The organization aspires to establish a secure interim shelter, offering sanctuary to victims and fostering a future where no older adult feels isolated or neglected. Sawhney envisions a tomorrow where the youth emerge as leaders and trailblazers, embodying the cultural richness of both worlds.

For Saahas For Cause, this recognition is profoundly meaningful, serving as a testament to their unwavering dedication to serving the South Asian community.

Newspaper link:
https://indiapost.com/flipbook/epaper09-02-2024/09-FEB-2024NEW/index.html#book/17

Milestone Day in the History of Saahas for Cause

What a momentous day it was! As a non-profit organization that does a lot of community outreach, every event Saahas for Cause partakes in is discussed and meticulously
planned. Hence, when serendipitously April 29th became the chosen day for Saahas for Cause to be part of four diverse events in 3 different counties ranging from South to North
California, the staff and volunteers stood ready.

Poster presentation and workshops at the 7th Annual South Asian Mental Health Consortium held on April 29 and April 30.

300 miles away in Northern California, 6 Saahas youth and 2 staff members were gearing up for a day-long session at South Asian Mental Health Consortium in Hayward, where Saahas was presenting research posters on the various studies being conducted by the youth and staff members. Saahas presented three posters in-person on research studies- The effect of Covid-19 on High School
student stress, Experiences of bias and discrimination towards the South Asian community and Deconstructing Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Conditions.