2018 Mini Fundraiser Book

METROPOLITAN ASIAN FAMILY SERVICES

MINI

FUNDRAISER

20 1 8 To provide comprehensive & integrated Social Ser vices to the Immigrant population of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Middle East & European countries. These ser vices include but are not limited to educate, counsel, assist & empower individuals & families to become productive members in their new home.

7541 N Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60645 866-330-8627 santosh@mafsinc.com www.mafsinc.com

Rashmikaben Shah Chicago

MAFS

President & Executive Director

This gala is a time to celebrate our past achievements and an opportunity to honor those who helped us achieve success in running our programs in 2018.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, our Gala Committee and the entire staff of MAFS, we would like to thank you for joining us as we commemorate 26 years of helping communities grow and become comfortable in their new home in the United States.

This gala is a time to celebrate our past achievements and an opportunity to honor those who helped us achieve success in running our programs in 2018. It is a chance to acknowledge those who developed, implemented and currently deliver many programs and services in 191 villages in support of thousands of residents. It is also time to take a glimpse into our future and the groundwork we are laying down in the year to come. We are very happy to announce the opening of two new locations in Patel Brothers Plazas, in Schaumburg and Naperville.

These locations will help us impact the whole Suburban, Cook and DuPage County neighborhood through our continued role as a leader in social services.

In the spirit of celebration of Asian Heritage month, we would like to acknowledge each of you for making our organization a role model in the field of social service!

We extend our special thanks to all our sponsors. Your contributions are invaluable to the organization, to expand our services to our new locations to serve the neighborhood communities.

We are proud of our accomplishments and recognize that we could not have delivered our mission without the support of our donors, government representatives, residents, staff and board members.

We look forward to your continued support in helping MAFS to serve the community!

Best Wishes,

Santosh Kumar Executive Director

Dr. Firdaus Jafri President

Meet our Key Staff

Jahnavi Bavisi Manager Niles

Himali Bharucha Community Health Specialist

Chicago

Charlotte Singh Asst. Senior SOS Coordinator

Niles

We would like to thank our incredible staff! They are the ones that put in the long hours and give up their weekends so they can find new and innovative ways to help our community. It is not bricks or the building but their tireless dedication and commitment that are the real strength in our organization.

Jahnavi Bavisi is a Manager at Metropolitan Asian Family Services, has been working with MAFS since 2004. Prior to working with MAFS she worked at College of DuPage as Staff Service Supervisor. She started with MAFS as a computer teacher and prior to becoming a Manager she worked as a CCP Supervisor for several years. She is responsible for all office procedures, and uses her organizational skills to ensure smooth operations in a busy work environment. Her consistent and committed work ethic have contributed to her success at MAFS for the past 14 years. Jahnavi has created the best team under her exceptional training and supervision. Born and educated in Mumbai, India. She did her graduation in commerce from the Kandivali Education Society in 2001. Ms. Bavisi has a vision inspiring other to support her synchronizing with the uppermost management goals. She sees her parents image in every senior and it gives her joy to serve them.

Himali Bharucha, currently a Community Health Specialist, MAFS, is a part of a Northwestern Research Grant to reduce the risk factors of Heart Diseases such as Heart Attacks and/or Strokes in South Asian Community. She worked with South Asian Healthy Heart Life Style Intervention SAHELI Research Study in 2012 and 2013, and a Diabetes Prevention Exercise Intervention in 2014. She has experience with Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program of Age Options, Title-D with MAFS since she joined MAFS in 2006 and up until 2011. In addition, she has conducted “Take Charge of Your Health,” a Chronic Disease Management Program for seniors offered by Age Options.

Along with the Health Promotion Programs, over the years, Himali has managed ESL/ Citizenship grant from CLESE and Literacy grants from the Secretary of State Jessie White. She has worked in Adult Day Care Program, and In-Home Care Program as a CCP Supervisor as well. She has assisted people with public benefit programs such as LiHeap, and SHIP. She had received “Public Relations” award in 2011 from MAFS for her outstanding effort to invite dignitaries at the opening of new MAFS Sites and at its Annual Gala Dinner Functions and Mini Fundraisers for the first five years of her job at MAFS, and also for building an excellent rapport with Ethnic Media.

Charlotte Singh, our Assistant Senior SOS Coordinator, has extensive experience working with public benefits cases and case management. She has been with MAFS since 2016 and aided over 2000 members and clients in 2017. She is a SHIP counselor. Charlotte begins with an initial one-on-one meeting to assess a client’s needs and to determine their eligibility for diverse benefits such as medical or housing needs.

Once eligibility is determined and the client has provided the necessary documentation she will meet with the client again to complete all appropriate paperwork.

Depending on the service SOS Coordinators may need to follow up with some clients to call appropriate government agency such as the DHS, Social Security.

In most instances, an SOS Coordinator serves as an advocate for some or all conversations between a public official and their client. In some cases, follow-up visits are required. She goes the extra mile to help engage and support the community.

9015 N Milwaukee Ave Niles, IL 60714 224-601-7010 jahnavib@umasinc.com

7541 N Western Ave Chicago, IL 60645 872-208-4010 himalib@mafsinc.com She has a Bachelor’s in Accounting, in conjunction with Teaching, including State of Illinois and Chicago Board of Education Substitute Teacher and Bilingual Certificates. She holds CCP Supervisor and ADS Management certificates as well. She is trained to measure Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index and is certified to perform finger stick screenings for HbA1c and Cholesterol. Lastly, she is trained for Diabetes Prevention Program Group Lifestyle Balance as a Lifestyle coach as well.

She enjoys reading, meditating and helping seniors.

9015 N Milwaukee Ave Niles, IL 60714 224-601-7014 charlottes@mafsinc.com

Mini Fundraiser 2018

Our Seniors

Rashmikaben Shah Chicago

I came to Chicago in 1975 and got my green card in 1978. Later, I volunteered my services at the Metropolitan Asian Family Services. When I received my legal status, I got a job as a machine operator making scarfs and then worked for the hospital’s laundry service department. I am proud to say that I am a U.S. citizen and self employed for many years such as cooking, baby sitting and worked as a sales girl to provide for my family. I lost my husband in 2015 and I miss him a lot. He was very sincere, loving, supportive and a shy person.

When I was in India, I never sat idle and was always keeping myself busy taking cooking, nursing & sewing classes and always take pride in working. My childhood was pleasant and I am coming from a wealthy family.

My father owned a movie theater so I was very fond of cinema and fashion. I was married into a modest family and had to work hard to make ends meet. I live with my son and daughter-in-law Sonal. I have two grandsons named Satyam and Shivam. My brother-sister lives in Texas and California.

Because of my intelligence and strong work ethics, MAFS asked me to volunteer my services and now I am a helper and organizer. Mrs. Santosh Kumar and Promila Mehta support me. I help sponsor Indian festivals such as Diwali and Tulsi Vivah. I believe in cleanliness and am a big fan of the Clean India (Swachh Bharat) Project. Therefore, I volunteer to clean the streets of Chicago.

I come to adult day care five days a week and it feels like a family to me. They taught me “be well, live well and age well”. I am saddened and sorry for a great loss of Mr. Pramod Kumar. He was a great man with a heart of gold and I miss him seeing him around. Mrs. Santosh Kumar considered me as her family member.

We are all fortunate to have Promila Mehta and seniors like her singing bhajan everyday and friendly loving nature. We are a proud MAFS family and enjoy fully.

We are happy and healthy seniors because of MAFS! Thanks.

Dr. Dhar, IAS, was formerly a senior bureaucrat in the Government and held various important assignments like Finance Secy. to the Govt. of Goa, Daman and Due, Secy. (Health) to the Govt. of Goa, Director (Prevention of Food Adulteration), Secy. (Agricultural Mkt.), Commissioner of Excise, Entertainment Tax and Director of Prohibition, Managing Director, Delhi Financial Corporation etc. Govt. Of NC T, Delhi.

rial Charitable Homoeo Clinic, Preet Vihar, Delhi-92. to live by the mission proclaimed by Dr. Hahnemann

Prafulchandra Patel Schaumburg

Dr. Bansi Dhar, IAS, DHMS Chicago

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After retirement, Dr. Dhar’s love for Holistic System of Healing, namely, Homeopathy became the first love and mission in life. After obtaining DHMS from Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Defence Colony, New Delhi, in the year 1974, he started Practice in Homeopathy on charitable basis under the name and style of Raeshim Memo-

Dr. Mrs. Nirmal B. Dhar, is the beloved and devoted wife of Dr. Bansi Dhar. She is a strong believer in the Holistic System of Healing, name}y Homeopathy. Despite her pressing household duties and pre-occupations. she acquired fairly good knowledge of homoeopathy and used to serve as homoeopathic physician incharge of a free homoeopathic dispensary run by the Arya Samaj in slum locality of Shahdara. It was purely an honorary, charitable and missionary work by Dr. (Mrs.) Dhar.

“We Salute all our Seniors”

mafsinc.com

Congratulating MAFS on 26 Years!

Shardaben & Chandubhai Patel Niles

Padma Desai Niles

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Mini Fundraiser 2018

Our Services

Report numbers from 7/1/2017 - 12/31/2017 Public Benefits

MAFS offers a breadth of services that are targeted to support our community. We can help you with immigration, translation, nutrition, computer training, paying your light and heat bills, or if you’re just in need of a home cooked meal.

The Big Picture: MAFS can only sustain itself and serve the community by Grants, Fundraising, Volunteering and In-kind contributions. The majority of MAFS’s funding comes from Grants and Fundraising.

One very important factor that is often overlooked is that funding from; State, Federal and Local Government is given ONLY at 65% to 75% at most to what is needed to run the program.

The remaining 25% to 35% must be raised by MAFS to fill this gap. That is why we need our community and people like you to contribute through fundraising activities and/or donations/ contributions in person or through mail.

These donations/contributions can be in various ways, like cash, In-kind or volunteering hours of service to support MAFS’s programs.

Recruitment Beginning: For the past 11 years, MAFS has participated in a community-based partnership with Namratha Kandula, MD, MPH and Northwestern University. As part of a new research study funded by the National Institutes of Health, we will be starting recruitment into the South Asian Healthy Lifestyle Intervention (SAHELI) which is a culturally tailored lifestyle intervention for South Asian men and women. This research is intended to create a larger network of researchers and community groups to address the serious issues of cardiovascular disease amongst minority populations. The relationship between Northwestern and MAFS has resulted in extending the research grant with MAFS for 5 more years.

Recruitment for study participants has began. If you would like to participate, please contact Ms. Himali Bharucha at 773-465-3105.

If you would like to see the findings of this research or want to participate, please visit: www.ARCConline.net

MAFS is a pioneer in providing social services to low-income and underserved populations. We assist client in accessing public benefits available to fit their individual needs. Our staff helps fill out applications for these services and escorts them to the appropriate public benefit offices such as Department of Human Services or Social Security Administration, Immigration and Naturalization to submit the application and serve as their interpreter. We also translate official forms in Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, Spanish, and Bosnian languages to facilitate the process of applying for benefits.

Our staff acts as liaisons between the client and public officials to help our community members get the help and support they require. This year we had the privilege of helping complete 5015 cases in Cook, Suburban Cook County, DuPage and Lake County.

We also served over 600 people in Senior Opportunity Services (SOS) program funded through Age Options.

>600

5015

people

cases

Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The LIHEAP Program is designed to help low-income families pay their heat and light bills. This program is offered multiple times throughout the year and brings hundreds of people from all nationalities to our Chicago and Niles offices. Many of them arrive before the office opens and wait in line for hours to benefit from this program. This service is funded by the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA). MAFS’ staff help clients in processing their application to receive funds. This year we have helped 2354 eligible families through this program.

>2350 families

Affordable Care Act (OBAMACARE)

Metropolitan Asian Family Services has collaborated with the Asian Health Coalition for assisting our community with the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. It was the state-run outreach and education program offered to all legal residents of Illinois to enroll into Medicaid or Marketplace health insurance.

We have enrolled over 300 individuals into Medicaid o Marketplace health insurance and reached out to over 2000 people through outreach efforts at temples, mosques, churches and Gurudwaras.

>250 individuals

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Nutrition Program

at MAFS Golden Dinner (City of Chicago), Congregate Meal (Age Options) At Niles, and Senior Hot Lunch Program (Privately funded) at Roselle.

We have provided 11,733 hot meals to senior community members in 2017 from all three sites. Even though funding has been affected by the budget cut, our active management and seniors have made it possible by bringing funding privately to continue the meal programs. Want to enjoy a healthy, balanced and freshly cooked meal? Please visit one of our locations near you!

+134% increase in our Public Benefit cases served

>11,700 meals

+50%

Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

MAFS is a Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) certified. Take advantage of our free statewide health insurance counseling service for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. We have served 961 clients last year in 2017. Our staff members, Connie Dogaru, Meenu Jethi, Charlotte Singh have recently attended a state facilitated 4-day training and are now SHIP certified counselors. Seniors with any Medicare or Medicaid queries can contact them for appointments.

increase in the clients served by SHIP over last year

>960 clients

Asian Human Services Program

The goals of the AHS program are to promote self-sufficiency and to help families achieve independence; ensure the protection of children and other vulnerable residents; and maximize prevention opportunities to strengthen families’ well-being and stability and is funded by DuPage County.

We have served over 955 Medicaid Clients that includes SNAP and redetermination applications.

+33% increase in the families served by LIHEAP over last year

>260 individuals

Other Programs: Senior Housing Referral Assistance

Senior Medicare Program

Social Security Assistance/ Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI)

55

152

327

individuals

individuals

individuals

>60% increase in the individuals served by Senior Medicare Program

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Mini Fundraiser 2018

Activities at our Senior Centers

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NAPERVILLE - ADS SENIORS AND STAFF CELEBRATING INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY - Ramesh Kansagra, Ramila Gandhi, Navin and Usha Sanghvi, Sharmistha Patel, Jivanlal and Kumud Purohit, Saraswati Kansagra, Manjula Desai, Dilip Parikh, Ramji Manvar, Babu Modi, Gurbachan Singh, Triguna Dave and Heena Mehta.

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VERNON HILLS - SENIORS WHO PRAY TOGETHER, EAT TOGETHER AND HAVE FUN TOGETHER, KEEP ISOLATION, LONELINESS AND DEPRESSION AT BAY, BY LIVING A HEALTHY, HAPPY AND FUN FILLED LIVES. VERNON HILLS ADS SENIORS PRAYING, EATING AND LAUGHING TOGETHER.

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NILES - SENIORS ENJOYING OUR NUTRITION PROGRAM, From L to R: Selani Subhash, Lalani Firozali, Shah Kanaiyalal M, Qureshi Abdul, Vyas Jayshree, Mehta Bhanuben (Volunteer for Yoga Classes), Vyash Anjana, Chandrakant Soni (ADS Co-ordinator), Siddiqui Muhammad, Shah Chandulal, Patel Arvindbhai.

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CHICAGO - CELEBRATING MOTHERS DAY, Sitting on floor: Shobha Patel (guest),

From L to R, 1st row: Shivji Malek, Urmila Shah, Lilavati Bhansali, Neera Kaura, Krishna Mahajan, Beena Patel (guest), Sushila Patel, Gulbanu Jiwani, 2nd Row: Jagruti Jagatia, Annapurna Joshi, Roshan Virani, Prabhaben Sisodiya, Tarunika Hebbar, Manjulaben Patel, Pushpaben Patel, Rashmika Shah, Ramnaben Gandhi, Saberabibi Saiyed, Urmila Sevak, Shama Beg, Kalpana Desai, Premkuwer lodhia, 3rd Row: Ainul Nissa, Naim Unnisa, Razia Hashim, Shirin Virani

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ORLAND PARK - PLAYING MUSICAL CHAIRS, From L to R: Kapilaben Amin, Jayantibhai Amin, Khandubhai Patel, Manjula Sheth, Chandrakanta Patel, Mahidas Kothadia, Kalidas Kundaria, Shantaben Patel, Vajiben Kothadia, Sharmishtha Shah

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SCHAUMBURG - 2018 HOLI CELEBRATION, Top row L to R: Ramaben Soni, Chan-

drikaben Modi, Sheela Dave, Pushpaben Bhagwakar, Navnit Shah, Hasmukhbhai Bhagwakar, Shantilal Topiwala Premila Patel, Purshotam Thakur, Ranchhodbhai Patel, Prafulchandra Patel, Arvind Patel, Gunvant Soni, Pravin Thakkar, 2nd Row: Fatima Shah, Savita Patel, Sudha Gandhi, Chandrakant Patel, Manubhai R Patel, Kailashben Patel, Vallavbhai Patel, Bipin Dave, Gunvantbhai Gandhi, Kantaben Patel, Raojibhai Patel Shantaben Patel, Sakarchandbhai Patel, Kanchanben Shah, 3rd Row: Zehra Kalimee, Mujulla Patel, Parag Patel, Prahlad Brahmbhatt, Akberali Nensey, Jashbhai Patel, Krishnajivan Ladhawala, Pramodbhai Patel

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866.330.8627 mafsinc.com

Nutritious

HOT LUNCH Program COMING SOON FOOD AVAILABLE: • UTTAPAM • SAMBAR • OKRA CURRY • CHICK PEA CURRY • SQUASH CURRY • PAKORA CURRY • SPINACH CURRY • FRENCH BEANS • SOYBEANS • VEGETABLE BIRYANI • COLORED PULAO • MIXED VEG. KHICHRI • RICE CAPSICUM • PLAIN RICE • COCONUT CHUTNEY • TOMATO SOUP • LENTIL SOUP • ROTI • AND MUCH MORE...

Patel Plaza Schaumburg and Naperville 827 W Higgins Rd Schaumburg, IL 60195

1568 Ogden Ave. Suite # 144 Naperville, IL 60540

COME ENJOY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!

MAFS is a Not-for-Profit tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization MAFS is an equal opportunity employer