ASHA RAY OF HOPE PARTNERS WITH COSMO http://www.communityshares.net/

Community Shares of Mid Ohio (COSMO) is a coalition of locally-based, non-profit organizations collaboratively participating in workplace giving campaigns. If you work at any of these places, you have an opportunity to give to ASHA through payroll deductions. .

COTA Central Ohio Transit Authority; City of Columbus Combined Charitable Campaign; City of Dublin; Columbus Metropolitan Libraries; Columbus Public Schools Columbus State Community College; Combined Federal Campaign of North Central Ohio ; Franklin County Combined Charitable Campaign; Heart of Ohio Combined Federal Campaign (CFC); Hilliard Schools; Miami Valley Combined Federal Campaign (Dayton area); The Ohio State University Community Charitable Drive ; South Western City Schools; State of Ohio Combined Charitable Campaign (CCC); 3 Rivers Combined Federal Campaign ; Upper Arlington Schools; WCBE 90.5; Westerville Schools; OTA Central Ohio Transit Authority; City of Columbus Combined Charitable Campaign; City of Dublin; Columbus Metropolitan Libraries; Columbus Public Schools Columbus State Community College; Combined Federal Campaign of North Central Ohio ; Franklin County Combined Charitable Campaign; Heart of Ohio Combined Federal Campaign (CFC); Hilliard Schools; Miami Valley Combined Federal Campaign (Dayton area); The Ohio State University Community Charitable Drive ; South Western City Schools; State of Ohio Combined Charitable Campaign (CCC); 3 Rivers Combined Federal Campaign ; Upper Arlington Schools; WCBE 90.5; Westerville Schools; AT&T (online and as CS USA); CNA Insurance (online and as CS USA); MEDCO Health Solutions; US Filter and Wells Fargo Financial Services

MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Suvankar Sengupta is Chief Technology Officer at MetaMateria Technologies, LLC. Previously he worked as: Chief Scientist at NanoDynamics, Inc., Chief Scientist at MetaMateria Partners LLC and Chief Scientist at SCI Engineered Materials. He is a graduate of the University of Kalyani (BSc) , Indian Institute of Technology (MSc) , Kanpur and the University of Notre Dame where he obtained his PhD in Material Science & Engineering , 1989 — 1994. He is a Board of Trustee at the Central Ohio Bengali Cultural Association (COBCA) since 2009 and lead the group as President in 2003. He was also President of Bangamela hosted by COBCA in 2008. Suvankar’s hobbies include cricket, drama and music.

Sujatha Reddy is one of the founding members of Asha-Ray of Hope. She is a graduate from the University of Dayton with a Master’s in Community Counseling and is licensed as a mental health counselor for the State of Ohio. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Ayurvedic Medicine from India. She is the President of “Heartland Wellness LLC” and has a private practice in New Albany, Ohio. Sujatha’s expertise in mental health counseling include, individual and couples counseling in the areas of Domestic violence, alcohol addiction and substance abuse, Post traumatic stress disorder, anger management, grief and loss, pain and illness, rehabilitation counseling and lifestyle coaching. She is also trained as a Mediator through the Columbus Mediation Services of Central Ohio and The Columbus Bar Association.

GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTED

Last year (2009), Asha-Ray of Hope was a proud recipient of STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA) GRANT PROPOSAL from the Franklin County Office Of Homeland Security & Justice Programs under the AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT of 2009. The grant was prepared by Dr. Bhagwan Satiani & Amar Pandey with the support of Asha-Ray of Hope Board Members. The funds totaled to Twenty Thousand Dollars ($ 20,000) and were to be utilized towards job creation and job retention.

Based on the funds, Asha-Ray of Hope retained the position of Office Coordinator and created a new position of Case Worker, to assist counselors with the clients. To date, we have utilized some of the VAWA grant monies and have been granted an extension till December, 2010 to completely utilize all the funds. These resources are critical for keeping the Asha-Ray of Hope machinery running smoothly, as ALL donation obtained from the community is utilized in their entirety for Clients and there is no money left (from donations) for covering administrative costs.

This year, too we have re-applied for STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA) GRANT PROPOSAL from the Franklin County Office of Homeland Security & Justice Programs. We have been encouraged by early reports that the grantors are pleased with our application and may act favorably

This year, we are also applying for the Community Small Grant Program, supported by Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray’s office. It will include grants from $2,000 to $10,000 for innovative projects that address local needs related to youth and families, the elderly, people with disabilities and others.

Asha-Ray of Hope celebrated Seven years of Community Service in Central Ohio

Asha-Ray of Hope was celebrating the anniversary of its seventh year of community service with a magnificent dance and musical extravaganza “Kalanjali” (a cultural showcase of dance and music) on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Jeanne. B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts in New Albany. The evening was highlighting Indian dance with over 600 people in attendance, raising funds for the cause that Asha supports. Indeed, our target for the audience and funds was more than achieved.

The program highlighted the unity in the South Asian community. It was attended by several dignitaries including Renata Ramsini, Director, Governor’s office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach with Anna Heintzelman., Mayor Ferguson, Village of New Albany and many more. Senator Sherrod Brown and Rep Tiberi sent letters of congratulations. Debarati Bardhan, President of Asha-Ray of Hope shared Asha’s activities and accomplishments over the last year with the audience. The program was emceed by Bhagwan Satiani and Sahar Zaheer.

The program of Indian dance and music was performed by different Indian dance and music schools and organizations: Nalanda School of Dance, Arya International, Ratanpur tarana, Silambam, Amrapali, Natya School of Dance, Swaranjali and Jhankar.

Swaranjali, Amrapali, Silambam brought the traditional Indian treasures by performing classical and contemporary dance styles, while young dancers from The Nalanda School of Dance, Ratanpur Tarana, Arya International, Natya School of Dance had the audience tapping their feet to today’s newest Bollywood hits. Jhankar took the audience back to the Golden days of Indian Cinema by their renditions of popular Qawalis.

In the words of a guest: “It was a wonderful event, well organized, well-planned for reaching ASHA's goals.” Asha would like to congratulate all board members, sponsors, donors, members, staff and volunteers for this successful event.

Please click here to enjoy the pictures of this spectacular event!