Photos by Vinod Devlia
Atlanta, GA: Raksha Inc.’s Annual Fundraiser, Ek Shaam Raksha Ke Naam was completely sold out this year. The event took place on December 2, 2016 at the Gathering Spot, an exclusive new social club in Atlanta. Headliner Rajiv Satyal’s stand-up comedy was well-received by the audience. During the course of the evening, Raksha recognized community members and allies who exemplify the values that drive Raksha’s work in the community.
Asher Burk of the Women’s Resource Center was honored with The Himmat (Courage) Award for years of unwavering dedication, support, and tireless advocacy for survivors of domestic violence. Burk’s expertise is crucial in helping Raksha’s clients navigate the criminal and civil justice system, especially in DeKalb County. He works to ensure that immigrant survivors understand their rights and have culturally responsive services. His ability to build rapport with survivors and learn about their specific needs and barriers makes him an invaluable partner.
Jaymen Chavda of the Chugh Firm was honored with The Seeds of Change Award for years of unwavering dedication, support, and tireless advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Jaymen has helped plant the seeds to ensure that Raksha has access to more civil legal assistance. Whether it is providing low bono or pro bono services, Jaymen works with Raksha to ensure that its clients can address divorce, child custody, child support and other legal matters. Jaymen has worked to increase the number of cases the Chugh Firm takes on and is always willing to respond to answer questions from Raksha staff.
Keyur Patel was the recipient of the 2016 Ramesh and Vijaya Bakshi Community Change Award for his outstanding and dedicated volunteer service at the Clarkston Community Health Center (CCHC) and help to the refugee population in the Clarkston Community. Clarkston has one of the biggest refugee resettlement areas in the United States and is home to asylum-seekers from all over the world. Patients at CCHC are all uninsured, with a variety of medical problems, ranging from acute to uncontrolled and chronic. The CCHC was founded in 2013 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization and started operations in 2015 with a mission to provide affordable, accessible, and linguistically sensitive primary care and preventive services to the Clarkston community and surrounding areas.
Meenakshi Chugh was also the recipient of the 2016 Ramesh and Vijaya Bakshi Community Change Award. She was honored for her action to mobilize for a friend in a difficult situation. Upon learning of her friend’s situation, she mobilized friends and neighbors to help this friend and create a support network to help provide emotional support, food, transportation to doctor’s visits and more, organizing over 270 friends and neighbors to action.