India Home raises $250,000 for elderly welfare at SACH gala

India Home, Inc., a leading non-profit organization serving South Asian seniors, raised about $250,000 at its 2024 Gala for SACH (truth) last Sunday, at Terrace on the Park in Queens, New York.

The Oct 6 event brought together community leaders, supporters, and beneficiaries to celebrate the organization’s commitment to empowering South Asian & Indo-Caribbean elders, according to a media release.

The gala honored several prominent figures for their contributions to the community, including New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, well known deejay, producer, curator and educator DJ Rekha and Kamla Motihar, who co-founded the Asian Indian Women in America (AIWA) for their unwavering dedication to the community.

“India Home’s work is addressing the needs of a community as vast and diverse as our older adult population. Our immigrant communities, including our South Asian immigrant seniors, deserve culturally competent care,” said Adams.

“That is why India Home’s work is so vital; it creates spaces where our elders are not just cared for, but where they are seen, heard, and valued,” she said. “Supporting our seniors has always been my priority, and I was so proud to have advocated for and allocated over $160,000 in funding to India Home.”

Additionally, the New York State-based Guru Krupa Foundation, a grand sponsor of India Home, was recognized for its ongoing commitment to the organization’s mission.

“From food insecurity-related issues that led us to start food pantries, we noticed that seniors were a large part of the demographics we serve. Seniors also face other problems, such as mobility and health issues. This segment of society is really in need. We should do something to make their lives comfortable,” said Mukund Padmanabhan, founder & president of Guru Krupa Foundation.

Guests were treated to an exquisite culinary experience curated by America’s first Michelin-starred Indian chef, Hemant Mathur. The specially crafted menu showcased the rich flavors and traditions of South Asian cuisine.

A key focus of the gala was to raise funds for the renovation of India Home’s space, which will become the South Asian Community Home (SACH). This state-of-the-art facility will centralize and expand the organization’s life-affirming programs for South Asian elders.

“This SACH gala is enabling us to create India Home Headquarters community building organization dedicated to serving NYC’s South Asian senior population,” said Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, Co-Founder and Executive Director of India Home.

“India Home has filled an empty corner in a lot of seniors’ lives. I know how they have felt, I’m 90 years old and India Home is very much a part of my life,” said Motihar, a legacy donor of India Home.

For over 16 years, India Home has been a trusted resource for seniors and their families, offering a wide range of support to promote independence, dignity, and well-being. The organization’s impact was evident in the testimonials shared during the event. The gala’s success has bolstered India Home’s efforts to expand its services and reach more seniors in need, according to the release.