On September 10th, 2023, SAAPRI hosted a yoga session in nature at the Bunker Hill Forest Preserve in Chicago, IL. This event couldn’t have been a success without our friends at Friends of the Forest Preserves. Our team had so…
FTA/CTA Asian American Listening Session
On September 7th, 2023, Executive Director Shobhana Verma was invited to a session by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in collaboration with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) as…
WBEZ Article on “Is suburban Chicago taking away Devon Avenue’s ‘Little India’ title?”
On August 31st, 2023, Co-Founder and Board Chair Ann Kalayil was featured in an article regarding the evolution and growth of the South Asian community from Devon Avenue to greater suburban Illinois. The article discussed how “some long-time area advocates…
Illinois Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP-IL) Virtual Town Hall
On August 31st, 2023, SAAPRI, State Senator Ram Villivalam, and representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency taught how to access Funding for Enhanced Security Preparedness through the Illinois Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP-IL) – This grant is for non-profits, religious organizations, and…
Midwest Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health Forum
On August 30th, 2023, SAAPRI and other AAPI-led organizations co-hosted a Midwest Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health Forum intended to paint a broad picture of where AAPIs’ mental wellness landed at the post-COVID era and share efforts targeting…
Our Stories: Breast Cancer in the South Asian American Community – 2nd Panel
On August 16th, 2023, SAAPRI hosted the second part of a 3-part panel discussion exploring breast cancer in our community. The first panel involved sharing stories and hearing from four distinguished survivors. This second panel discussion featured insights from field…
WBEZ Article on “Illinois immigrants need[ing] more language help to thrive and partake in civic life”
On July 21st, 2023, Executive Director Shobhana Verma was featured in an article advocating for improvements to language access to Illinois’ broader immigrant community. The article discussed the challenges Illinois immigrants, numbering more than 1 million, face including ” getting…
2023 Impact Summit
From June 6th-9th, 2023, SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma attended the 2022 Impact Summit & Gala, hosted by the Indian American Impact Project, representing SAAPRI, who was a partner of the event. SAAPRI collaborated with The Legal Defense Fund for…
Cook County and City of Chicago Asian American Heritage Month Celebration
On May 25th, 2023, Executive Director Shobhana Verma attended Cook County and the City of Chicago’s celebration of Asian American Heritage Month, featuring Alderperson Nicole Lee of the 11th Ward, Alderperson Lent Manaa-Hoppenworth of the 48th Ward, and Commissioner Josina…
Chicago History Museum AAPI Heritage Month Celebration
On May 21st, 2023, SAAPRI team members hosted a table at the Chicago History Museum’s celebration of Chicago’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community. According to the Chicago History Museum, AAPI Heritage Month takes place in May to commemorate two dates:…