Through its work, Sewa-Aifw strives to make a difference in individual lives and in our community. In both arenas -- individual and community transformation -- success can be hard to define. In fact, for some women experiencing abuse, simply picking up the phone to make that first call for help after enduring years of violence is a success. Through the information below, Sewa-Aifw shares some of our recent achievements in fulfilling our mission to support individual women/families and enable community change.

Domestic Violence Program
Human Trafficking ,Community Engagement and Media Program
Economic Empowerment Program
Family’s Health Initiative : Health Fairs, Substance Use awareness

Due to Sewa-Aifw’s far-reaching community engagement efforts over the last few years, we have experienced a remarkable increase in new requests for help. In just five years, the number of women and men that have contacted Sewa-Aifw has nearly tripled.

Number of Calls for Assistance
Received by Sewa-Aifw’s Crisis Calls Asian Women in 2007
CRISIS LINE ACTIVITY

In the 2007/2008 fiscal year, Sewa-Aifw provided the families we serve with the following free and confidential services:

• 24 community engagement programs focusing on various topics including education on domestic violence and human trafficking, Legal Services, what are the rights of immigrant woman, health initiatives how to deal with health disparities? Holding health fairs and directly advocacy for women in a court setting with culturally specific support.
   
• Each month, approximately, we provided - translation or interpretation services; health, housing, legal, and/or public benefits referrals and resources 65 times, 25-30 seniors and families with ongoing emotional support and services, and 10 women with court referrals and accompaniments.

• Our leading community partners include, MCBW, Minnesota Collation of Battered Women, Human Trafficking(CIVIL SOCIETY), India Association, Women’s Consortium, ,Minnesota Asian Pacific Council, Advocates for Human Rights, Clearway Minnesota, Hennepin County Multi-Cultural Services, MA/ACH, The Sikh Society of Minnesota; Hindu Society of Minnesota, The Islamic Center of Minnesota, Minnesota Vishnu Temple. And Asian Media Access.
   
• In 2006/2007 alone, Sewa-Aifw organized or participated in more than 48 community outreach and partnership-building events. We estimate that through these events, Sewa-Aifw has raised the awareness of more than 2,500 community members in the Twin-Cities metropolitan area;
  
  
• In 2006, Sewa-Aifw launched its 24/7 Crisis Line campaign in the communities inauguration ceremony by having an information’s booth. Over 3000 community members attended and about 35 community-based organizations participated. Sewa-Aifw continues to form partnerships with the community-led organizations, faith-based institutions, and key leaders in the Twin Cities Area.
  
  
• Sewa-Aifw continues to post its redesigned website, which features a new format, focus, and comment. The website is designed to be interactive, asking for readers to write and send in their thoughts and ideas on each issue’s subject matter. Approximately 3,000 individuals receive the information by email, while many more receive it through circulation of brochures at outreach events;

Usage Statistics for www.sewa-aifw.org
Summary Period: Last 12 Months
Generated 30-Jul-2008 04:32 PHT

This reading of the website we just started to take. This gives us the over all picture that the community is engaged and looking towards Sewa-Aifw to offer them all kinds of social services. The website is also visited internationally. Graphs can be presented if required. Educational instituition are looking towards Sewa-Aifw for information on this segment of the population.

• In 2007, Sewa-Aifw received commendation for its innovative use of media for education and advocacy in Asian Pages community report." Sewa-Aifw’s Executive Director was mentioned in the Twin Cities Minneapolis Magazine as The Women's Consortium honored twelve of Minnesota’s most venerable women at its “Dreamers and Doers” gala at the Science Museum of Minnesota
  
• In the last year, Sewa-Aifw was featured or mentioned in at least 10 articles within the following publications: St.Paul Minneapolis magazine, Asian Pages, Minnesota Women’s Consortium, Advocates for Human rights magazine with Ms Tutu, Asian American Press, Guild of Services Magazine in India, Hindu Society of Minnesota magazine, and several community newsletters.

• Several community programs focusing on a range of topics including job training, referrals, computer literacy, senior issues empowers families to work together towards self sufficiency. Volunteering in our organization has helped women and youth build important qualifications for their resume for community work. Some social work liscenses require community work and we are an essential link to that.
  
• Many grants that support Sewa-aifw’s economic strength for community engagement and organizing has helped us to show our existence and identify the issues in our community.

• Access to low–cost or free health consultations or exams through our Health Fairs, which consists of a core group of South Asian health providers and physicians is another form of outreach that has awakedned our people to look within how essential is health check ups to early detection of diseases.

In closing remarks it is clear that the funds provided for general operations of Sewa-Aifw ‘s programs have activily engaged our community on the front of social services that was not touched by any other organization. Sewa-Aifw is the only organization that deals with the issues on domestic violence, human trafficking, senior issues and health issues in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. We at Sewa-Aifw appreciate your support.