A Ray of Hope Event 2008

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March 2008

TICKETMASTER

ADULTS: $20

STUDENTS: $10 www.ticketmaster.com

1-800-277-1700

Sunday, March 30, 2008

2:00PM

Von Braun Center Concert Hall

Committed to

Educate

Empathize

Empower

people of South

Asian origin

SPEAKER

Mamata Misra

Author of

Winter Blossoms

and Other Poems

Contributed to the documentary film

“Veil of Silence.” Past Programs Direc-

tor of SAHELI, an organization in

Texas that assists Asian families dealing

with domestic abuse, Mamata Misra is

the recipient of YWCA, Austin's

Woman of the Year award in 2005

Performed By

45

Talented

Artists

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD - Mahatma Gandhi

Endorsed by Alabama Association of

Physicians of

Indian Origin (aAPI)

"For the Event

Sponsorship and

Advertisement in

AshaVani Opportunities"

call 256-213-9664

asha117@gmail.com

Guest Speaker sponsored by The Orissa Foundation (Dr. Devi and Sarojini Misra)

Ms. Dina Sheth is the founder and director of

Kruti Dance Academy, Atlanta's most renowned

and prestigious Indian Dance institution. Ms.

Dina Sheth has been teaching Indian classical,

folk and contemporary dance for over 20 years.

Under her guidance 28

students have completed "Arangetram" the pinnacle exhibition of the mastery of Bharat

Natyam.

Ms. Dina Sheth has received wide acclaim for her deep commitment to the advancement of fine arts and her artistic

excellence. The India House of Worship, Maryland awarded

her the "Dedicated Instructor" award in 1993. In 1997 and again in 2002 she received the "Artistic Excellence" award

from the Indian American Cultural Association of Atlanta. In 1998 the Secretary of State of Georgia recognized her for

outstanding contribution to the Indian American Culture. She has served as a judge nationally for many classical and folk-

dance competitions and beauty pageants. Ms. Sheth has also served as the Dance and Indian Cultural correspondence for

Namaste Asia television program in Washington D.C.

Her contributions

have been lauded by notable media

including Atlanta Journal -

Constitution, NBC Affiliate Channel 11

Television and BBC -

UK Asian Radio.

Ms. Dina Sheth was groomed in one of

the finest schools of Bharat Natyam - The College of Indian Music Dance and

Dramatics, M.S. University, Vadodara, India. Brihad Gujarat

Sangeet Samiti, a Government of India institution, has designated her as a Certified Examiner of Classical Dance.

She has choreographed and performed extensively in India

and the United States, and is a past winner of the All India Dance Competition for two consecutive years.

Dances of India are diverse, from deeply

religious to happily frivolous but always enchanting “Kruti Dance Academy presents a taste of dance masala”

Bollywood Dance

Get in the groove with the latest in

popular dances from Hindi movies! Bollywood dancing borrows from all forms

(Eastern and Western) with added glamour aiming to entice and entertain;

the effect is often sensational. Bollywood dancing is a

commercial name for modern Indian dancing. It's a combination of classical

Indian dance (which is the base), folk dancing such as Bhangra and sometimes

has a Latino and Arabic influence. It's fun and very expressive and there's a lot of

deep meaning behind music in the films.

You can actually express what the music means, through the graceful movements

of the body.

Winter Blossoms

by Mamata Misra

The red bud tree in my back yard

is dressed in bright pink

fooled by the unusual mid-January warmth.

Surely it’s spring, it says.

The weatherman shakes his head

The Alaskan front is days away

from stripping off that beautiful attire

Malathi, when you say

Surely he is going to change

when he sees his baby kick and cry

and touches the tender skin!

After all, isn’t it his own flesh and blood!

When you try not to remember

how he left you

to bleed alone

to starve

not caring

if his baby in your womb

kicked or not,

I feel like the weatherman,

knowing that the battering front

is only days away

from turning your hope into despair.

Diversity: We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams – Jimmy Carter

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has

been opened for us.– Helen Keller

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

All forums and seminars are free of charge; please email/call us for further information

Check out our website www.ashaline.org for exact dates and venues and more….

Page 3

Calendar of Upcoming AshaKiran Events

E-ASHAVANI

Thank you aAPI for endorsing AshaKiran.

In the picture, Bhavani Kakani receiveing

the aAPI's endorsement from left Dr. Tarak

Vasavad, Vice President of aAPi; Dr. Amit

Chakrabarty, Past Presidet, and Dr. M.S.

Arun, President of aAPI.

VISION:

To be a ray of hope toward building a healthy and

harmonious community

Sudnday, March 30, 2008

A Ray of Hope Event 2008

2:00pm

Best of Bollywood

Kruthi Dance Academy

Von Braun Concert Hall

Sunday, August 24, 2008

2:30-4:30 PM

Parent Forum:

Focus on experiences related to

parenting in the US

HCCNA Auditorium; 14854 Smith

Drive, Harvest, AL

Sunday, May 4, 2008

4:00-6:00 PM

Health Educational seminar:

Pertinent Health issues

Dowdle Center; Huntsville

Hospital; 109 Governors Drive

Sunday, December 21, 2008

2:30-4:30 PM Adolescents and Young Adults Forum:

Focus on issues and experiences related

to growing up in the US; India House,

3300 Holmes Ave

South Asian Issues

Presentation at Oakwood

College.

International Student

forum held in 3/08.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

2:30-4:30 PM; Forum for “Seniors”:

Focus on aging and retirement

Public Library; 915 Monroe Street

Sunday, November 9, 2008

5:30PM ANNUAL MEETING, and

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION

DINNER; Dowdle Center

Huntsville Hospital

109 Governors Drive

Kavita Kumar

Usha Lal

Vardhani Murty

Preetha Pulusani

Prasanna Ravipati

AshaKiran RECOGNIZES

VOLUNTEERS with

AK Logo SHAWLS

For their commitment and dedication 2006-2007

Vidya Sagar Reddy

Dipti Vasavada

Tarak Vasavada

Aparna Vuppala

By Empathizing: 24/7 Ashaline is available (256-509-1882)

to “walk” with the “client” without passing judgment, offering friendship, giving a hand, discussing available options, lending support, while maintaining confiden-tiality and be a ray of hope when the client need it the most to improve their physical and mental health

By Educating and being proactive

Four educational forums were conducted in 2007

1. Adolescents and Young Adults

2. Middle School Age Adolescents

3. Parents of School and College Age Young Adults

4. Health Seminar By Empowering: Two Endowments were set up to assist in “reestablishing” lives: such as reeducating, retraining people of South Asian Origin that have experienced “crisis’ situations

1.Named Endowment

2.General Endowment

Established Resource Library

Collecting Household Items

Mr. Surendar and Preetha Pulusani

Dr. Mahipal and Prasanna Ravipati Dr. Ashok and Sangeeta Singhal The Orissa Foundation—Dr. Devi and Sarojini Misra Dr. S. Rao and Lakshmi Yerubandi

THANK YOU 2007 EVENT SPONSORS!!!

EMPOWERING LIGHT SPONSORS

Dr. Narsimha Rao and Subhashini Boorgu

Dr. P. Rao and Bhavani Kakani

Guiding Light Sponsors

Anonymous

Mr. Babu and Dr. Krishna Kakani

Dr. Shashi and Kavita Kumar

Dr. Rekha Vankineni

Dr. Subbarao and Sudha Alapati Dr. Ashish and Nandini Basu

The Chauhans Dr.Ramarao and Lakshmi Inguva Dr. Ravi and Usha Lal Dr.R.Babu and Anita Kantamaneni Gemini Patel and Shefali Patel

Pillar of Light Sponosor - Ranjana Savant

Ray of Light Donors

Doctors Anjaneyulu and Vidya Alapati

Dr. Amit and Sonchita Chakrabarty

Dr. Das and Kamala Kanuru

Mr. Raj and Alka Khanijow

Dr. Tejanand G.and Vijaya Mulpur

Doctors SriKrishna and Indira Nuthi

Dr. G. S. and Radhika Rao

Mr. VidyaSagar & Dr. Samyuktha Reddy

Doctors Saurabh and Smita Shah

Dr. Koteswara Rao and Hemalata Yedla

Beam of Light Donors Mr. Choudary and Sireesha Chalasani

Dr. S.V. and Ulpala Chiyyarath

Doctors Gagan and Navadeep Dhaliwal

Dr. Vijay and Lata Jampala

Dr. Sadasiva and Shoba Katta

Dr. Scariya Kumar

Doctors Ramann and Lakshmi Nallamala

Mr. Seshagiri and Lakshmi Paladugu

Mr. Phillip Price

Doctors Murthy and Aparna Vuppala

Mr. Johnathan and Cheryl Wilson

Dr. Manmohan and Saroj Agarwal

Dr. M. and Anuradha Arun

Dr. C. Rao and Ratna Chimata

Doctors Belur and Harini Dasarathy

Ms. Lisa Davis

Ms. Radhika Kakani

Doctors Purushotham and Ranjani Kale

Dr. Anthony and Molly Kalliath

Dr. Haresh and Sarita Khanna

Dr. Dibya and Usharani Mahapatra

Doctors Ravi and Ana Mailapur

Doctors Madan and Vandana Maladkar

Dr. S. R. and Vardhani Murty

Doctors Rao R. and Saranya Nadella

Mr. Reddy and Shobha Ojili

Mr. Lalit and Ashima Pattanaik

Mr. Gopi and Vani Podila

Dr. Sarat and Minati Praharaj

Dr. Bhagbat and Puspa Sahu

Mr. Upendra and Sapna Singh

Suraj Imports of Alabama

Mr. Bhavani Prasad & Seeta Surapaneni

Dr. Prasad Vankineni

Ms. Purva Varadkar

Hope of Light Donors

Empathetic Light Sponsors

Thank You 2007 Donors Mr. and Mrs. Daryl Adams

Mr. and Mrs. Srinivas Bhat

Mr. and Mrs. Don Bishop

Ms. Candace Burnett

Mr. and Mrs. Arun Gupte

Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Guynes

Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Hay

Apr 5 : Holi by Huntsville India Association www.hiaweb.org; mad- who1963@yahoo.com, or mital.modi@gmail.com Apr 6 : Telugu New Year Ugaadi by Telugu community www.teluguhsv.org Apr 27 : Dasavatara: Indian Mythological Play at HCCNA aparna@gmcana.org Apr : Tamil New Year by Tamil community contact tharanee@aol.com May : Classical Music Recital by HICPA contact hicpa9@gmail.com June : Camp Bharat contact krutika@knology.net June : Temple Anniversary www.hccna.org ashok@hiwaay.net 256 604 4958 Sep 13 : Onam festival by Kerala community at HCCNA contact ulpala@knology.net

*2008 South Asian Huntsville Community Events !

Sep : Ramadan www.huntsvilleislamiccenter.org Sep : HIA , HTA, Gujarat Samaj Picnics Oct : Navratri celebration by Gujarati community contact Nov : Diwali celebration by Indian Students Association iso@email.uah.edu Nov : Diwali celebration by Gujarati Community contact krutika@knology.net Nov : Diwali celebration by Huntsville India Association www.hiaweb.org Dec : Bakrid www.huntsvilleislamiccenter.org * Not a comprehensive list

For updated information, check the respective websites and emails

Thank You 2007 Donors Dr. and Mrs. Rao Kakani

Dr. and Mrs. Deepak Katyal

Dr. and Mrs. Ravi Lal

Ms. Mandakini Modi

Ms. Sandra Moon

Dr. and Mrs. S. R. Murty

Mr. and Mrs. Harshad Patel

Thank You 2007 Donors Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneider

Ms. Krishna Shah

Mr. and Mrs. B. N. Srikishen

Ms. Eloise Truce

Ms. Barbara Vought

Dr. and Mrs. Tarak Vasavada

Doctors Murthy and Aparna Vuppala

BATTERED WOMEN:

Characteristic Features and Approach to Management

Devi P. Misra MD. FACP

At least 1.5 million cases of domestic violence I occur in United States each year even assuming that such violence may be

grossly underreported. About 93% of the victims are women. It is conceivable that in some areas as many as 50% of family

relationships may involve violence.

In a study at Yale University2 3.8% of women presenting to surgical services, 3.4% of women seeking psychiatric services,

and 20% of women visiting Emergency rooms in hospitals were battered. Walker3 noted 53% of men abusing their wives or

partners also abused the children while another third of spouse batterers threatened to abuse the children.

DEFINITION: A battered woman is defined as any woman over the age of 16 seen with evidence of physical (including

sexual assault) on at least one occasion at the hands of her intimate partner4 within a context of coercive control.

The "battered wife syndrome5" is a symptom complex arising out of violence in which a woman has at any time received

deliberate, severe, repeated physical assault from her husband with the minimal injury of severe bruising. The battery or abuse

encompasses emotional, sexual and material degradation as well as physical and sexual assault. Violent acts committed

ranged from verbal abuse, threatening violence to throwing an object, pushing, slapping, kicking, hitting, beating up, threaten-

ing with a weapon or using a weapon.

THE CYCLE OF BATTERING

1) TENSION BUILDING PHASE

Discrete acts like name-calling, intimidating statements, general meanness and mild physical abuse like pushing cause family

friction thereby gradually escalating tension. During this time the batterer expresses dissatisfaction and hostility. The wife

may attempt to placate the batterer in hope of pleasing him and calming him down. In general, she tries not to respond to hos-

tile acts - as the tension builds up, she finds it difficult to control batterer's anger and frequently withdraws fearing that she

will inevitably set off the explosive reaction. The withdrawal on part of wife may actually be the signal for him to be more

aggressive.

2) THE AGGRESSIVE ACT

It involves an uncontrollable discharge of tension. The batterer lashes out both physical and verbal abuse. The victim fre-

quently is left injured. During this phase the victim may actually injure or kill the batterer in self defense or be injured or

killed herself. In two thirds alcohol abuse is though part of the circumstances may be given as excuse for the violence.

3) In the 3rd phase, the batterer apologizes profusely and asks for forgiveness. Because many batterers are

charming and manipula¬tive, they show kindness and remorse and shower the victim with gifts and promises hoping that the

relationship can be saved.

In repeated cycles time and intensity of first phase increases, the third phase decreases and violence becomes more acute and

dangerous. The batterer learns that he can control the victim and does not have to put much energy into obtaining forgiveness.

By this time, the victim is demoralized and finds it difficult to leave the relationship.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT BATTERED WOMEN

1. "Battered women are always from a lower socioeconomic group." Most studies reveal that battering occurs in all

groups regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic circumstances.

2. "Battered women must enjoy the abuse, otherwise they would leave". Studies show the battered women are not

masochists but tend to remain in abusive relationships because of intimidation, poor self-esteem, or economics.

3. "A woman who gets beaten probably provoked her partner". This belief is held by victim herself. Violence, however,

resides within the batterer.

4. "The battered could have batterer arrested". Victims fear loss of income, reprisal from batterer after release. Most

jurisdictions and law enforcement officers minimize domestic violence.

5. “If a battered Woman remarries she usually chooses another violent man". Not true at all. Many make a conscious

effort to choose someone not violent or a batterer.

THE BATTERER PROFILE6

These individuals refuse to take responsibility for their own behavior blaming the victims for their act of violence.

They have strong controlling personalities who cannot tolerate autonomy of their partners. They are frequently rigid

in their expectation of marriage and sexual attitude. They consider their wives or partners as chattel and they wish to

be cared for in most basic ways as they were cared for by their mothers. They frequently make unrealistic demands

and have a low tolerance for stress. They appear depressed and make suicidal ges¬tures but basically they are ag-

gressive and assaultive, using violence as a means of problem solving.

Charming and manipulative in relationship outside marriage they show low self-esteem, feeling of inadequacy and a

sense of helplessness, all accentuated when faced with possibility of losing their spouse.

The key is to teach them to give up violence as a way of problem solving. In most situations the well-being of

woman is best served by leaving the marriage.

WOMEN'S RESPONSES TO BATTERING 7

A. PHYSICAL RESPONSE:

In a study of 130 Canadian women in a shelter Kerouac et al (1986)8 reported that 20.7% were bothered by

sleep disturbances and disturbing physical sensations.

A variety of somatic complaints headache, insomnia, choking sensation, hyperventilation gastrointestinal symptoms

and chest, pelvic and back pain are frequent and common.

In emergency room settings enquiries about evidence for injuries or previous injuries or burns are essential. Batter-

ing generally leads to injuries of head, face, breast and upper abdomen and arms.

B. PSYCHOLOGIC RESPONSE:

Battered women showed significantly lowered self-esteem and increased anxiety, varying degrees of depression.

Landenburger (1989) indentified stages of binding which included aspects of self blame, covering up the abuse and

shrinking of self, disengaging a period of help seeking and recovering, wherein she completes grief work, tries to

find meaning in her experience, and works at the pragmatics of survival. Battered women left an abusive relationship

for two major reasons of safety - personal as well as emotional. Hoff (1990) demonstrated that the victims were suc-

cessful day to day managers but the social system continually defined battering as a personal one.

C. BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSES:

Torres (1991) provided a needed cultural comparison. Hispanic-American victims were more tolerant of abuse. Con-

cern for children was most important for 40% of Hispanic women to continue with the batterer as compared to 20%

of Anglo American women. Tendency of Hispanic women to stay in relationship longer related to pressure form ex-

tended family and/or threats to family members whereas Anglo American women were more influenced by lack of

resources.

D. COMMUNITY-BASE SPOUSE ABUSE

PROTECTION AND FAMILY PRESERVATION TEAM

Fragmentation and lack of coordination exists between different agencies catering to the families experiencing

spouse abuse.

There are no mandatory reporting requirements for spouse abuse as there are for child abuse.

1. LAW ENFORCEMENT & LEGAL ASSISTENCE

These services address the victim's need for protection and safety. Law enforcement officers either are hos-

tile or uncaring towards victims of spouse abuse. Though a primary point of contact for victims, they alone can not

prevent abuse or deter fatal attacks. They are often unwilling to arrest the perpetrators.

Mandatory arrest or written notification procedures in do¬mestic violence cases may be the best method to

meet victim's needs for protection. Victims need to know the civil and criminal protection available to them.

2. MEDICAL SERVICES:

Only 3% of domestic violence is recognized by physicians and emergency room personnel.

Victim may appear shy, frightened, embarrassed, evasive, anxious, or passive and may often cry. Frequently, the

batterer accompanies the victim to monitor what is said. The options considered are:

(a) Treatment of injuries.

(b) Suggestion to leave the violent situation includes referral to a mental health worker and police, job counsel-

ing, counseling for the batterer.

(c) Development of an exit plan.

(d) Long term aid and referral.

3. SHELTER:

Only 31% of victims gave effective rating to health care personnel compared to 56% to the shelters. The shelters

provided reassurance, perspective analysis, reciprocity, independence to the victim.

The shelter movement is credited with raising community awareness of breadth and depth of family violence and the

tragic consequences of sex role stereotyping in US society. Shelters have served as most referral source for medical

personnel.

4. SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

Social services encompass a wide range of services including information and referral, public assistance and individ-

ual, group, couple, and family counseling.

Social services and mental health agencies frequently have contact with victims of spouse abuse, perpetrators and

family members. Nevertheless many agencies respond to spouse abuse as a symptom and fail to deal with the issue

of violence.

Depression, anxiety and somatic disorders were a consequence of abuse. Abused women report greater psychologi-

cal distress and think about suicide more.

5. EMPLOYMENT:

Unemployment, underemployment and lack of employment prep¬aration and opportunities place tremendous stress.

Many abused wives feel financially strapped & dependent on batterers. Abused women who had not been employed

for many years required job training and assistance with self-esteem issues.

PURPOSE:

Spouse abuse protection and family preservation team should be multidimensional, comprehensive, coordinated, and

accountable and should provide case consultation, resource development, and community action.

It should mobilize needed services serving as a valuable resource to local judiciary system, and making also

the victims aware of public or private community services that could be of help. SUMMARY:

The spouse abuse or battering occurs irrespective of race, religion or cultural background. Approximately 10 to 12

married oriya women or girls, presently in the USA, having gone through such hardship served as an eye opener to

this undercurrent of a social issue and warranted a succinct comprehensive review as outlined above.

A RAY OF HOPE

Total Calls: 98

Crisis 29

South Asian Challenges

Education and development of young

children

Drug and substance abuse

Marriage arrangements for kids

Marital problems and spouse abuse

Lack of facilities for social and cultural

interaction

Preservation of family values

Caring for old South Asians

Andy Watson: Maynard, Cooper and Gale, P.C.

Mike Segars: Melvin, Bibb, Segars, and Pinson

Huntsville Hospital

Office and Telephone service: Anonymus

Website: Sudha Alapati, Chakri Devarapalli

And Tekdynamics

Sudha Alapati

Shobha Bhat

Dr. S.V. Chiyyarath

Ulpala Chiyyarath

Mamta Dave

Anjali Gupte

Gulshan Hoyt

Bhavani Kakani

Dr. P. Rao Kakani

Swapna Kakani

Anita Kantamneni

Kavita Kumar

Dr. Deepak Katyal

Dr. Ravi Lal

Usha Lal

Adithi Madhwesh

Jyothi Madhwesh

Nikita Maladkar

Manda Modi

Vardhani Murty

Dr. S. R. Murty

Meera Rao

Anand Ravipati

Prasanna Ravipati

Vidya Sagar Reddy

Sudha Srikakolupu

Jayanthi Srikishan

Indu Thakur

Kanika Thakur

Purva Varadkar

Dipti Vasavada

Dr. Tarak Vasavada

Dr. Aparna Vuppala

Lakshmi Yerubandi

A Ray of Hope Event 2007

Volunteers

AdeptMedia

CFDRC

Vijaya Gummadi

HCCNA

7 Board Members

A Ray of Hope “In Kind” Services THANKS!

Sudha Alapati & Kavita Kumar Co-Chairs Zarna Amin

Shobha Bhat Dr. S.V. Chiyyarath Ulpala Chiyyarath Chakri Devarapalli

Anjali Gupte Anita Kantamneni Ajesh Khanijow

Dr. Ravi Lal Usha Lal

Dr. Vandana Maladkar Prasanna Ravipati Vidya Sagar Reddy Jyothi Madhwesh

Dr. S. R. Murty Vardhani Murty

Sangeeta Singhal Indu Thakur

Kanika Thakur Dipti Vasavada

Dr. Aparna Vuppala

―What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal,‖ Albert Pike

2008 Event Committee

India House

Khanitech (Ajesh Khanijow)

Multicultural Center

ALL THE

VOLUNTEERS

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services DHHS publications No HRS-D-MC 86-1 Washington D.C.

Government Printing office 1986.

2. Mcleer S. Anwar R. A study of battered women presenting in an em¬ergency department. AMJ Public Health

79 (1) : 65-66 1989

3. Walker L.E. The battered woman syndrome. N.Y. Springer 1984.

4. Rounsaville B. Weisman MM. Battered Woman. Int. J. Psychiatry Med. 1977-78; 8:191.

5. Parker B.Shumacher DN. Am.J. Public Health 1977; 67:760.

6. Stenchever M.A., Stenchever D.H. Abuse of women W.H.1 Vol.1 No 4. 187-192.

7. Campbell JC, Parker B, Battered women and their children, Annual Review of Nursing Research 10: 77-

94.1992

8. Kerouac. s et al (1986) Health Care for women International Dimension of Health in Violent Families 7. 413-

426.

9. Landenburger K (1989) Issues in Mental Health Nursing 10. 209-227

10. Hoff L.A. (1990) Battered women as survivors. London Routledge.

11. Torres. S (1991) Issue in Mental Health Nursing 10. 297-308.

Page 9

Frequently asked questions about AshaKiran

What is AshaKiran?

AshaKiran was formed (Jan 2006) by volunteers in the Huntsville community as a non profit organization to fill a community need, for the purpose of providing assistance and counseling to South Asian origin people (for now) in our community that are experiencing “crisis” situations. Due to language barriers and cultural stigmas, South Asians when faced with problems such as abuse, financial troubles or just need a friendly ear, did not have anywhere to turn. Now volunteers who share similar cultures and language are available through a 24 hour telephone line called Ashaline which started in May 2006 to provide support.

What happens when I call Ashaline? When you call, a trained volunteer will give you information about services in the community, to resolve the crisis. If you are new to the community and want to connect with people from your country or state of origin, if you have health issues that are critical, and need information on clinics and physicians that might suit your needs because of financial and cultural concerns, if you have a disabled child and are unsure about what services are available, if you have domestic violence issues and need to know what your options are, if you cannot speak fluent English and need translators for specific reasons, if you need transportation in crisis situations, and in legal and immigrant crisis, these are some of the things that

you will want to call Ashaline for.

When someone calls Ashaline, how is the call information kept confidential?

Apart from the volunteer that answers your call, your name and specific personal information will not be discussed even among the AshaKiran volunteers. The Ashaline volunteers go through extensive training at CSNA apart from orientation at AshaKiran to handle the crisis calls in a caring and confidential manner.

They sign a special confidentiality agreement.

What communities are served by AshaKiran?

For now, AshaKiran is serving people in North Alabama who have their origins in India as well as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Srilanka, people of South Asian origin.

Where does the money donated to AshaKiran go? Money from donations is mainly put into endowment funds, Ashaline and operations. AshaKiran is run by all volunteers, no salaries are paid. Operating expenses in 2007 were minimal

Who can volunteer at AshaKiran? Anyone of South Asian origin can. You can volunteer your time for translations, transportation, events, education, take the training at CSNA to be an Ashaline volunteer and answer calls. You have a lot of choices on how you can volunteer. If you choose to donate money without volunteering your time, that’s fine too. At AshaKiran, we try to keep the names of volunteers confidential unless they themselves choose to tell about their involvement with AshaKiran.

If someone you know is suffering in silence and

needs help, please call

(Hopeline) 256-509-1882

How can you help?

Interested in volunteering, please check the appropriate boxes:

Direct Services: help clients on

Ashaline (after completing CSNA training)

Community Education

Newsletter/Database

Events

Marketing/Website

Grant writing

Finance

Tax Deductible Donations are welcome

(Checks payable to AshaKiran and mail to:

P. O. Box 12311, Huntsville, AL 35815)

Amount: $__________________________

Name:_____________________________

Address:___________________________

__________________________________

Phone: ______________________

Email: ______________________

Please cut out this portion and mail

“It takes courage to make a change”

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give – Winston Churchill