SAIVA is a beautiful family of kind hearted people that believes in creating wonderful and creative events and activities to bring communities of all ages together! It creates inclusivity through diversity allowing each and everyone to engage through empathy and the feeling of belonging! The love and warmth this organization emits is simply priceless! If you aren't part of this then you are missing out! Join this beautiful family and pass on the positive energy!
As a teen volunteer, SAIVA presents a lot of opportunities to enhance networking and leadership skills. This organization has a lot of fun activities where you really get to bond with each other. These volunteering activities have personally helped me connect, build relationships, and make friends with people of all ages within my community.
A Community that Feels Like Family
I’ve had the privilege of being a part of SAIVA, and my experience with this incredible nonprofit has been nothing short of transformative. SAIVA is more than just an organization; it is a community that fosters connection, purpose, and kindness among South Asian seniors and volunteers.
When I first joined SAIVA, I was simply looking for a way to contribute to the community, but I found so much more—a sense of belonging. The activities are not just meaningful but also thoughtful and engaging. Programs like “Food for Thought”—where we cook fresh meals for college students—are wonderful ways to give back while creating lasting bonds. Events like crafting sessions, yoga, and cultural celebrations bring people together in ways that nourish the heart and soul.
What I truly admire about SAIVA is the focus on bridging generations. Whether it’s seniors sharing stories with younger volunteers or working together on community service, the interactions feel warm, genuine, and impactful. For many of us, especially elders, SAIVA has helped reduce feelings of isolation and brought new friendships into our lives.
The team is kind, organized, and passionate about their mission. Every program is thoughtfully planned to promote not just service but also joy and connection. I’ve seen so many people grow—personally and socially—because of SAIVA’s work.
For anyone looking to volunteer, find community, or simply be part of something beautiful, I highly recommend SAIVA. It is a place where kindness thrives, where every individual feels valued, and where the power of connection changes lives. I am truly grateful to be a part of this family.
greatfull activites, participated in all activities and all activities are very good
made statues, did yoga , very very greatfull
Attended all zoom classes and activities,
activities like we were used to do in past , enganged them all now
very very helpful in all ways
resumed my past hobbies
very knowledgable, helpful , beneficial in daily routing, exciting activities,
SAIVA provide everything which is very helpful in daily activities like Yoga, Art ,discussion
My SAIVA Story
My mother, Tara, is the driving force behind my involvement with SAIVA. My mom arrived in the Austin from the beautiful tropical island of Trinidad and Tobago on a cold, dark, wintry evening in February of 2007. My husband and I encouraged her to come live with us for so many reasons. One of them was her age. She was growing older and we felt that it just wasn't safe for her to live on her own. My dad passed away in 1979 when she was only 41, but 28 years later, her age was catching up.
My mother was not lonely or isolated in any way in her home country. Trinidad is very much a village in its own right. My mom recalled that her neighbor would come check on her if she didn't have her windows open by 7am. On a Sunday, one can easily get a whiff of what everyone else is cooking for their Sunday lunch. She lived in a tight knit community, so I truly worried about how I could recreate a somewhat similar environment for her here in Austin, Texas, USA.
This is where Shubhada Saxena, the founder of SAIVA came in. Shubhada saw the need to fill the void older immigrants face when they leave their home and migrate to a land foreign to them. Shubhada created this non profit organization, South Asian International Volunteer Association (SAIVA) not for fame, but out of the goodness of her heart. When her mother-in-law came to this foreign land, Shubhada sought ways to ameliorate her adjustment. This was the genesis of SAIVA.
SAIVA'S commitment to the emotional health of our seniors is by far its most important attribute. SAIVA promotes a sense of well-being, belonging and fulfillment for older adults of South Asian heritage through community engagement, education, partnership building, and advocacy and civic involvement. SAIVA ensures that its members get involved with partners such as Apple, Dell, Visa. We work with members of the staff doing voluntary activities such as making blankets for our homeless, bracelets and dolls for cancer patients.
While I was working, my mom would show me all the things she was doing in SAIVA. I was so impressed. She would be on her phone chatting, laughing, exchanging recipes, and who knew what else! I felt so satisfied that my mom was involved in something beneficial to society. She was interacting with the old and the young. SAIVA used to provide transportation for my mom. She would always tell me stories after her outings. So when I retired from working a full time job, I was ready to volunteer with this remarkable group of people.
I've never looked back. Because of Shubhada's foresight, I, too, am now a beneficiary of her endeavors. I feel that, through my mom, I gain so much satisfaction and fulfilment by volunteering with SAIVA.
My mom now has a sisterhood in Austin. I, myself, have a wonderful circle of sisters in SAIVA. SAIVA has indeed been a "SAIVior" for my mom, who has found a whole new family here. I am right behind her!
Thank you,
Sintra Persad
