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- EIN 13-3943630
- (718) 651-3484
- 5405 Seabury St Elmhurst NY 11373-4431 USA
- www.saya.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Children & Youth, Children & Youth Services
Mission: South asian youth action, inc. (saya) is a 501(c)3 youth development organization in new york city for students in elementary school through college. Established in 1996, saya is south asian-focused, inclusive and committed to connecting youth from all backgrounds to opportunities. Sayas mission is to foster a strong sense of belonging in youth and provide them with tools to thrive academically, professionally and personally. Saya participants are first or second-generation immigrants and face challenges that can hinder their chances to be academically successful, graduate high school and go to college. Sayas holistic and comprehensive services include free leadership and identity development, academic support, college access and success programming, career exploration, sports, arts and stem instruction. Saya provides an accessible, safe and culturally affirming space for youth and offers mentorship beyond the classroom so they become engaged community leaders ready for college, career
Programs: From july 2016 through june 2017, saya served over 1,000 youth at 10 locations: two elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools and at its community center in elmhurst, queens. During the year, saya built on its college access offerings for high school youth by enhancing program quality through more one-on-one and small group advisement. The organization also successfully piloted a mentoring program by matching volunteers with saya seniors during college application season from october to february. As part of saya's efforts to support youth's higher education aspirations, the saya college scholarship fund announced 14 new awards to college-bound seniors in may 2017. As a result, there are now 29 youth who are receiving saya scholarships for four years of college. Saya continues its focus on leadership and identity development in a culturally affirming space, particularly offering gender-based programming for young women and men in high school. The goals of the program are to enhance youth's critical-thinking and decision-making skills, provide opportunities for them to receive mentorship, facilitate peer support, and help them thrive in high school, college and beyond. The organization expanded its offering of high quality sports, arts and stem instruction. Youth played badminton, basketball and volleyball. They participated in creative writing projects as well as visual arts activities such as photography, painting and collage. Saya's emphasis on technology education meant that youth had the opportunity to take coding, robotics and animation classes.