Newsletter
Daya, Inc. Newsletter: April 2009
Daya, Inc. Newsletter ; June 2007
Daya, Inc. Newsletter ; Feb 2007
Daya Inc Newsletter
April 2010
In This Issue: Mini Fundraisers Join Randalls, Support Daya Daya Announces second series of Business Workshops Upcoming Events
Daya's 2010 Annual Gala...A Success
By Kalyani Giri
More than 300 supporters came together at the Chateau Crystale Ballroom on March 28 and conspired to help make Daya's 14th anniversary elegant and unforgettable. In support of the organization's zero-tolerance stance against domestic violence, the funds raised at the annual event "Seeds of Hope", totaled about $80,000 towards providing support services to the clients and education, and an additional $68,000towards the transitional home, will help further Daya's noble mission to promote healthy family relationships to women and children whose lives are impacted by family violence and sexual assault. This year, the gala was chaired by Renuka Sood and co-chaired by Purvi Patel. During the social hour preceding the event, guests perused and bid on items of artwork, collectibles, and airline tickets at the silent auction set up in the foyer, a first for Daya. Mistress of Ceremonies was Samia Adil who welcomed attendees. The program began with a documentary about Daya's crucial role in the community and interviews of the actual clients of Daya who approached the organization for help and now live abuse-free. L-R: Board members Nighat Ahmed, Padmini R Nathan, Pakistan Consul Ganeral Aqil Nadeem, Shaila Patel and Sesh Bala. Keynote speaker for the evening Jennifer B. Varela, Director of Family Violence Services at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, delivered the keynote address. Her office has helped women from over 70 countries, she confided. She lauded Daya's strong and determined voice against domestic violence. Comedians Raj Sharma & Paul Varghese Entertainment for the evening featured opening act by Raj Sharma and the stand-up comedian Paul Varghese whose witty observations about being Indian introduced levity to the program. His spiel, suitably toned down to fit the occasion, was well received. Colorfully dressed, the Houston International Folk Dancers presented ethnic dances from all over the world. Dinner was provided by Mumbai Spice Restaurant. Daya would like to sincerely thank all the volunteers including student volunteers from South Asian Society at Rice for all their help in publicizing and helping during the event, the individuals that donated silent auctions items, and the attendees for coming out to support and making the Annual Gala a success.
Mini Fundraisers
Henna Fundraiser Over $150was raised in only a few hours of the henna fundraiser organized by the members of the South Asian Society (SAS) at Rice University on April 9th. The fundraiser was organized by the student group at their Student Center to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence in Houston's South Asian community. The event was largely successful, attracting both male and female students of diverse ethnicities, and the traditional intricate designs as well as modern style tattooes illustrated by the volunteers were very well done. Dance Fundraiser On Feb 6th, two of Daya's volunteers and committed supporters proved that the community is united against Domestic Violence. In less than two months of the first successful dance fundraiser, Maz Khan & Saima Razzack managed to organize another dance fundraiser with around 100 people in attendance. The fundraiser held at the Taj Hall drew women wanting to support Daya and show some hot dance moves in an all women setting. The event that raised about $1800featured music by DJ Nish and dance performances by young female supporters. The event also gave a chance to the local South Asian businesswomen to sell and advertise their services and products.
Daya Statistics in 2009
Served 215 victims of domestic abuse which included 155 new clients. Received around 7000 calls of which 4000 calls were client related. Clients Ethnicity Indian-50% Pakistani-28% Bangladeshi-8% Non-Asian-13% Unknown-1%
Shop at Randalls, Support Daya
Daya is now a member of Randalls/ Tom Thumb Good Neighbor Program. Please link our account # 12325to your Remarkable card by filling out an application at the courtesy booth next time you're at Randalls. Your groceries purchases will be recorded to Daya's account and each quarter, we'll receive 1% of the total amount. Please share the account number with your family and friends as well so they can also contribute towards helping victims and awareness of Domestic Violence in the South Asian community.
Daya announces second Business Workshops Series for clients and community Daya in collaboration of Urban Business Initiative and the Alliance of Multicultural Services will be offering the second series of Business workshops for the Daya clients, refugees and other community members who own or are thinking of starting a business. Starting May 15, the workshops will take place every other Saturday, 9:30-12pm at the Alliance building located at 6440 Hillcroft, Houston, TX. The workshops will be conducted by local entrepreneurs and consultants and will cover topics such as business etiquette, funding, and marketing. For more info and to register, contact us at (713)981-7645 or amber@dayahouston.org
Upcoming Events
May 9: Mother's Day Picnic organized by the Mayor's Office & Verizon Wireless
May 12: Volunteer Orientation
May 15: Business Workshop Series with UBI & the Alliance
May 18: Presentation to Harris County Protective Services for Children and Adults
May 22: Booth at Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration-Central Library
May 22: Booth at Asian Pacific American Heritage Association Festival-Discovery Green June 19: Clients makeovers by Monica Seymour Hair Designs
Daya's 2010 Annual Gala Kicks off Capital Campaign to Purchase a Transitional Home"
On the occasion of the 14th Anniversary, Daya officially launched the capital campaign to collect funds for the Transitional Home. Daya had rented a place dubbed Harmony House from 2007 to 2009 and had 12 clients live there over a period of over two years. The pilot project worked well but the facility had to be closed in September 2009 due to some setbacks that the organization endured. Daya is looking to purchase a 3 - 5 bedroom house that could accommodate 8 to 10 women at the same time. The organization will be able to spend about $150,000 to $250,000 for the house that Daya hopes to own completely within one year. Indo-American Charity Foundation has already pledged $20,000 for the capital campaign kick-off for the transitional home. Additionally some of Daya's board members and advisory board made pledges for a total of $30,000. The community was requested to help by donating funds toward the transitional home project. For more info about the Transitional Home project and how you can support us, please call us at (713)981-7645.