Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 14 COVER STORY April 3, 2026 C ommunity outreach events bring back into focus the found- ing goals around which South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) was built, said its Execu- tive Director Sudha Acharya. Acharya was speaking to News India Times after holding a successful commu- nity outreach event March 29, 2026, at the ITV Gold Studios of ParikhWorld- wide Media in Edison, New Jersey. Such events serve the purpose of meeting people where they are, of listen- ing to them, helping them and walk- ing with them toward opportunity and assurance, she further said. “Together, we’re not just connecting our neighbors to essential benefits like health care and food support, we’re reaffirming the dignity and hope that every family deserves.” The kick-off event was supported by ITV Gold, its President Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh of Parikh Worldwide Media, Chief Operating Of- ficer Ilayas Qureshi and the ITV Gold team. Commending SACSS for 25 years of outstanding community outreach and service, Parikh praised SACSS for helping people who lack resources or don’t know how to access government benefits and healthcare in NewYork and New Jersey. Parikh emphasized that good health- care is a fundamental right and, as a doctor and President of the Global As- sociation of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), he knew how they can help extend healthcare support to people without insurance or healthcare IDs. Parikh welcomed SACSS to New Jersey, and promised his individual sup- port and support of his media group in promoting, community outreach, and any other needs. Present from SACSS at the event were Acharya, Director of Family Support Services Mary Archana Fernandez, Direc- tor of Health Services Rehan Mehmood, Director of Development Anjali Maniam, members of SACSS’s expert team and its volunteers. Special guests at the event included WestWindsor Mayor Hemant Marathe, East Brunswick Mayor Brad J. Cohen, Edison Council member Biral Patel, in- vited guests and community members. The event began with a comprehen- sive presentation of services the non- profit extends to community members in regards to their healthcare, public benefits and other options at large. The event offered an opportunity for SACSS to meet with community mem- bers in New Jersey and learn challenges they face in successful sign up for public benefits, Fernandez told News India Times. “It will help us design programs that address the unique needs of com- munity members in New Jersey,” Fer- nandez said. The free event had SACSSs enroll- ment specialists help people understand federal and city public benefits includ- ing health insurance, food stamps and more, while answering people’s ques- tions and guiding and assisting them through the steps of applications. Pointing out that many attendees were happy with SACSS experts speak- ing their language, Mehmood told News India Times, “Many of the people who came today were seniors inquir- ing about NJ family care and Medicare, and they were excited by the prospect of SACSS coming to NJ so that they can seek services from enrollment special- ists in their language.” Giving credit to the volunteers for help in assessing the needs of the commu- nity members, Maniam said the main concerns were healthcare access and enrollment, eligibility for SNAP benefits and Social Security insurance and lan- guage barriers and difficulty navigating healthcare and benefits portals. Mayor ofWindsor, Hemant Marathe, noted the strong need for connection among seniors who often feel lonely and isolated. He emphasized the advantage of them, particularly the growing South Asian community inWestWindsor, speaking to someone who can speak their own languages. Brad J. Cohen, Mayor of East Bruns- wick and an OBGYN physician, referred to his personal journey of continuous commitment to service, problem-solv- ing, and helping people through crises, and compared his mission to the experi- ences of the immigrant community upon arrival in the U.S. Cohen praised SACSS for helping build better future for the community. Councilman Biral Patel of Edison spoke about his long-standing passion for community service, saying his spirit of service came from observing other community leaders. He concluded with advice to keep community service an ongoing practice and offered SACSS unconditional support from Edison Township and its leadership including Mayor Sam Joshi. Thanking the volunteers, Acharya told the gathering about SACSS’s 25 member staff in NewYork who has served over 350,000 individuals, including approxi- mately 2,200 families at their food pantry every week. Saying the organization would like to expand its services to the needy areas in New Jersey, Acharya mentioned the large number of people SACSS has connected to benefits. The concerns of the NJ com- munity were very similar to those of the NYC community SACSS already serves. SACSS is planning more such commuter events in other New Jersey counties ac- cording to its directors. South Asian Council For Social Services, NY, Kicks Off Entry Into New Jersey With A Community Outreach Event By Archana Adalja Special guests West Windsor Mayor Hemant Marathe, East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen and Edison Council Member Biral Patel speaking at the inaugural outreach event in NJ of South Asian Council for Social Services. ITV Gold President and Chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media, Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh (left) and South Asian Council for Social Services Executive Director Sudha Aharya (right) addressing the gathered at the kick-off of New Jersey outreach event of SACSS. PHOTOS:PROVIDED BY SACSS SACSS Director of Family Support Services Mary Archana Fernandez, listens to questions from a NJ family.