What is Chaya?

The year was 1996. A group of South Asian women began receiving calls at their homes or jobs from other South Asian women who needed emotional and physical shelter from abuse. To meet that need, Chaya (translated from the Sanskrit word for "shelter" or "shade")  was born.

While excellent organizations served Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees, Chaya was uniquely qualified to offer culturally sensitive support to South Asian women, and as the South Asian community has grown, so has the need for Chaya.  South Asian refers to persons from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet.

---Rajan