Favorite Nonprofits
Friends, please do check out the websites of these wonderful organizations and help them if you can. They’re working very hard to improve the lives of people in desperate situations, and having been associated with them for years, I can vouch for their integrity. —Chitra
Pratham
A worldwide nonprofit organization that is dedicated to removing illiteracy in India. Pratham works in urban slums, rural outposts, prisons, labor sites where children are employed, and many other areas. Its mission is, “Every Child in School and Learning Well.” In a little more than 10 years, Pratham has brought literacy to 23 million Indian children. Divakaruni serves on the Emeritus board of Pratham Houston.
Daya
A Houston-based nonprofit that works to prevent violence against women and to strengthen and promote healthy family relationships within the South Asian community. Daya’s services include counseling, legal advocacy, referrals, transitional housing and financial support to women and children affected by family violence and sexual assault. Daya also has an active Education and Outreach Program that aims to engage and empower communities to address the issue of domestic violence. Divakaruni serves on the advisory board.
Maitri
Maitri is a free, confidential, referral non-profit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area that primarily helps families from South Asia facing domestic violence, emotional abuse, cultural alienation, and human trafficking.
Maitri provides a broad range of services such as transitional housing, legal advocacy, transportation, counseling, child care, career counseling, trainings on cultural competency, peer support, and court accompaniments. Maitri also works with other organizations to raise awareness about domestic violence.
Divakaruni was one of the founders of Maitri and continues to serve on the advisory board.
Indo American Charity Foundation
Indo-American Charity Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that helps the underprivileged and needy with monetary and volunteer work contributions through established and emerging organizations [501©3] in the Greater Houston Area.
