South Asian Youth Action - SAYA
SAYA’s mission is to foster a strong sense of belonging in youth and provide them with tools to thrive.
South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) aims to equip underserved New York City students with the tools necessary to reduce socio-economic disparities - empowering them academically, professionally, and personally. Through our innovative, holistic approach, we work toward education equity by providing opportunities and resources, ensuring youth become engaged community members.
Established in 1996, SAYA is a 501(c)3 youth development organization implementing valuable life skills and impactful programming to under-resourced youth. Today, we serve over 4,000 youth at 10 schools - in addition to our Elmhurst-based community center. The majority of our participants are first- and second-generation immigrant youth of color who face numerous barriers that hinder their chances of being academically and socially successful, graduating high school, attending college, and entry into jobs that match their skill sets. Our culturally responsive programming - centered on the pillars of leadership, academic support, and enrichment - propels the social and emotional growth of our young people and drives education and economic equity.
As one of the first South Asian organizations in the United States, we play a critical role in the positive development of young people from immigrant communities. Over the course of our history, SAYA has dismantled the “model minority” myth and paved the way for greater attention and investments in social services for the South Asian population. Moreover, as the communities we serve grow more diverse, our commitment to inclusivity and transformational cross-racial solidarity remains steadfast.
