The Organization

SAWERA - South Asian Women's Empowerment and Resource Alliance, provides free and confidential culturally-sensitive services to South Asian women victims of domestic violence in Greater Portland, Oregon, USA.

Pronounced "sah-way-rah", It also means "morning" in at least 2 South Asian languages. Morning symbolizes a new beginning, the dawn of a new era for South Asian women.

SAWERA is a grassroots, non-profit, volunteer organization that was formed in Oregon in 1997 to serve South Asian women and children victims of domestic violence through education, advocacy, empowerment and solidarity. Our twin goals are to provide direct services to victims, and to conduct outreach and education in South Asian communities in the greater Portland area and beyond. We support and publicize women's organizations in South Asia whose main goal is to empower women. We also give our support to grassroots women's movements in our countries of origin. We join women's groups around this country and in South Asia, as catalysts for social change.

Mission

SAWERA's mission is to promote the independence and dignity of South Asian women through education, empowerment and solidarity.

People

SAWERA is a grassroots non-hierarchical, volunteer driven organization. However, mandated by state, there is a Board of Directors.

Volunteers form the heart of the organization and give their time and dedication to SAWERA's cause. Many of them serve as advocates for SAWERA's clients, help with the administrative duties of the organization, participate in the education and outreach programs of SAWERA, help with grant writing, or work with the children in our Kids Club.

Friends of SAWERA is an informal group of male supporters, who often dedicate significant time and energy to SAWERA’s cause. Some participate in mentoring and tutoring programs for kids.

Board Elected annually, there are 9 Board of Directors who are nominated from the active members. The board is the fiscally responsible body and is active in setting current policies and more importantly, long term vision for the organization with advice from the active members. The President, Treasurer, and Secretary of SAWERA are elected from the board of directors. 
 

Staff
Case Advocates
Our Case Advocates provide client advocacy to South Asian women victims of domestic violence and children affected by family violence. This includes crisis intervention and ongoing support. It also involves accompaniment to courts, attorney appointments, doctor appointments, helping with job search, providing emotional support, and helping with safety planning & goal setting for the women and children. The CA's also assist with the childrens’ services that are part of SAWERA’s kids club programs and are responsible for coordinating bi-weekly meetings of SAWERA Client Advocate volunteers and staff.
 

We currently have the following Case Advocate Staff Positions.
- AmeriCorps Case Advocate (supported by the AmeriCorps-CPSVAWC program of the Oregon commission for Women)
- Case Advocate (supported by a grant from United Way)
- Case Advocate and Support Group Coordinator (supported by a grant from VOCA)

Multicultural Court Advocate
The Multi-Cultural Court Advocate is responsible for assisting SAWERA clients with educating the women about their rights and provide the much needed assistance for victims’ during court visits. They also assist in providing culturally specific aspects of DV to court advocates, district attorneys and judges as and when needed. They navigate the legal system in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas County courts. Supported by a grant from ODSVS HB2918 grant.

Volunteer Coordinator
Our Volunteer Coordinator co-oordinates SAWERA services; liaisons between victims, advocates, law enforcement & medical personnel. She is also responsible for mobilizing volunteers for all SAWERA activities and assist in effective collaboration with local DV agencies that provide services to women and children. She offers in-service trainings for new volunteers. Supported by a grant from United Way.

Outreach Coordinators
Promote SAWERA's programs that are geared towards increasing domestic violence awareness and its related issues amongst the South Asian population. They co-ordinate, facilitate and manage existing programs as well as create new ones with the help of volunteers and staff.

Office Administrator
Responsible for general office filing and logistics. She also manages the SAWERA library and Member databases. Supported by a grant from United Way.

Interns
SAWERA offers internships to students from local schools and colleges. We have had students from the school of Social Work, Psychology, Women's studies and Anthropology. Interns work on several interesting projects, which include creating resource booklets & outreach material, working on newsletters, researching grants and a whole lot more. They can also get involved in providing direct services - including client work and kids club activities.

Funding 

Support for direct services, outreach and education awareness programs and operational expenses comes from various grants, membership dues, generous contributions both cash and in-kind, from the community, businesses and corporations. We are extremely grateful to our contributors who make our services possible.

Major grants and contributions
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant from the Department of Justice
United Way
Oregon Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (ODSVS)
Nike (employee match)
Private donations
 

Volunteers organize creative Fund Raising events to raise money for our cause and get the community involved. 

SAWERA depends on Community Support to fund many of our direct service and education/outreach programs. Your dollars help provide emergency food, shelter and clothing for families in need, and allow us to develop new community education and outreach programs that work toward the prevention of family violence. Please Contact Us if you would like to donate.

Voice of SAWERA

"Voice of SAWERA" is our yearly newsletter with contributions from members and staff.