About Us: UTSAV - Empowering Communities, Building Equity

About us

UTSAV, a Washington State based non-profit, is a culturally specific, community powered service organization led by and serving South Asians in the State of Washington leading powerful work to advance equity in our communities. UTSAV organizes to promote equitable access to culturally competent and linguistically accessible services, focusing on food security, affordable housing, mutual aid, health services, education, and advocacy. Founded in Bothell in 2015, UTSAV strengthens its cross-cultural community through events, senior, women, youth, and kids’ leadership opportunities, and community-specific assistance.

With the purpose of building a welcoming and inclusive community in our multicultural nation, UTSAV has become a platform that connects South Asians living in the Pacific Northwest with local communities while developing and empowering civic leaders to serve & support a wide range of youth, adult & family needs. It helps to create a community where people feel safe, respected, and comfortable in being themselves and expressing their identities freely. UTSAV also provides political education, encourages expression of community power by engaging policymakers to work towards elimination of personal biases (anti-harassment and anti-racism), and institutional racism. The goal is to reclaim the culture(s) of POC and ensure equitable existence of POC into the broader social and economic ecosystem.

The clients are communities of color, low-income communities, immigrants, undocumented, refugees, and communities that are limited English speaking (and that speak South Asian languages). The clients are from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Fiji. The religions represented are Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and Christianity.

UTSAV Women (Sakhi Sarathi)

 

Mission: With the spirit of RISE (Rising, Inspiring, Supporting, and Empowering), UTSAV Women is determined to make a lasting impact by promoting equity and empowering women of color. Through a supportive network and inclusive resources, we strive to amplify their voices, celebrate their diversity, and foster personal and professional growth for a more equal and vibrant community.

Vision

Our vision is to create a world where women of all backgrounds and experiences rise together, inspiring each other to reach new heights. Together, we aim to build a diverse and inclusive community that fosters growth, unleashes untapped potential, and propels women towards greater achievements and fulfillment in every aspect of their lives. Through transformative initiatives like the Women Annual RISE Conference, we provide a platform for women to gather, connect, and collaborate on their journey towards personal and professional success.

Alignment with Mission and Vision

By aligning our actions with this mission and vision, we will work towards creating lasting positive change for South Asian Women, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives, achieve their goals, and make significant contributions to their communities.

Utsav Seniors (Sunahre Sath)

Our mission at UTSAV Seniors is to empower older adults to live active, healthy lives and improve all aspects of health. We promote good nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyles while providing crisis/supportive intervention and supporting financial stability through education and community resources.

Vision

The vision of Utsav Seniors is to encourage senior citizens of all backgrounds to lead active and healthy lives in dignity, respect, and full enjoyment of their rights and independence. Our goal is to create an environment where seniors engage in dialogue, share ideas, and become notable members of society.

Short-Term Goal and Long-Term Vision

Our short-term goal is to collaborate with an existing Senior Center, with a long-term vision to build an Indian Senior Center where seniors of all backgrounds can enjoy daily routines and group visits to areas of interest.

UTSAV Youth

UTSAV Youth’s mission is to empower youth to break societal boundaries and serve their community while connecting with their culture. Through collaboration, we strive to build youth leaders who foster a society where all are welcome and respected.

Vision

Our vision revolves around creating a network of empowered and empathetic youth leaders who actively contribute to the development of society. Our shared values of compassion, inclusivity, and honesty foster a generation of leaders who are capable and dedicated to helping others.

Alignment with Mission and Vision

UTSAV Youth seeks to provide young leaders the tools they need to confront and overcome obstacles by offering a range of workshops, programs, and resources. With the help of our mission and vision, we aim to create an atmosphere that will allow young people to flourish and become well-known catalysts of change in their local communities.

UTSAV Kids

UTSAV Kids is dedicated to inspiring and empowering young minds to become compassionate leaders. Our mission is to create an inclusive community with children aged 5 to 12 through innovative programs and initiatives, cultivating a sense of responsibility and instilling values of empathy, passion, resilience, and leadership.

Key Initiatives
  • Leadership Workshops
  • Community Service Projects
  • Creative Expression Programs
  • Mentorship Programs
  • Global Awareness Campaigns
Alignment with Mission and Vision

With the help of our mission and vision, we aim to cultivate a generation of compassionate leaders who actively work towards building inclusive and resilient communities, igniting dreams and creating leaders who will positively impact the world.

Our Mission

UTSAV is a culturally specific, community-powered service organization, tirelessly working to promote equitable access to essential services. From addressing food security and affordable housing to advocating for health services, education, and mutual aid, our mission is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves access to culturally competent and linguistically accessible resources.

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Building Bridges, Fostering Inclusion

At UTSAV, we understand the importance of building bridges across communities. Our organization serves as a vital platform, connecting South Asians living in the Pacific Northwest with local communities. Through our work, we aim to develop and empower civic leaders who can effectively serve and support a wide range of youth, adult, and family needs.

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Creating Safe Spaces, Amplifying Voices

We are dedicated to creating a community where individuals feel safe, respected, and empowered to express their identities freely. UTSAV provides political education and encourages the expression of community power by engaging policymakers to combat personal biases, anti-harassment, anti-racism, and institutional racism.

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Who We Serve

Our clients represent a diverse array of communities, including communities of color, low-income communities, immigrants, refugees, and those with limited English proficiency. We proudly serve individuals from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Fiji, embracing a rich tapestry of ethnicities, languages, and religious backgrounds.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At UTSAV, diversity and inclusion are at the core of everything we do. We welcome and serve individuals of all backgrounds, including:

Community Partners

Join Us in Making a Difference

At UTSAV, we believe in the power of community-driven change. Join us in our mission to empower communities, build equity, and create a more inclusive society for all. Together, we can make a lasting impact and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.