25 Years of Service, 24 Years Since 9/11
2025 is a milestone year for SACSS. The organization celebrates 25 years of service to New York City, and marks 24 years since 9/11, an event that forever changed the course of its work and the community it serves.
When SACSS was founded in 2000, its mission was to confront the realities hidden behind the “model minority” myth. In its earliest months, the team spoke to and surveyed South Asian families across New York City to understand their struggles and hopes. They heard stories of economic hardship, social isolation, and systemic barriers that were too often overlooked. Just as this work was beginning to take shape, 9/11 happened.
In the aftermath, SACSS transformed into an emergency hub overnight. The founder, Sudha Acharya’s home, became the headquarters, and her phone a lifeline. Families were grieving, neighbors were fearful, and many suddenly found themselves cut off from income, safety, and stability. The SACSS team worked tirelessly to connect people to mental health support, legal aid, food, and any resources they could mobilize. That moment grounded SACSS in something unshakable: the organization would always be responsive, adaptable, and rooted in community need.
Each year, SACSS honors the precious lives lost on 9/11. The South Asian and Indo-Caribbean victims are remembered in SACSS’ Book of Memories, each recognized as a vibrant individual with a unique story of hard work and perseverance. The organization remembers the families whose worlds changed forever and carries forward the responsibility that remembrance brings: to build a city where no one is invisible, and where care is available to all who need it.
From those early days, SACSS grew beyond its original vision. What began with serving South Asians expanded into serving all communities across New York. Today, no one is turned away from SACSS’s doors, no matter what their background, identity, or beliefs. The food pantry ensures families never have to choose between meals and rent. Health care access programs connect life-saving information. Workforce development classes open doors to jobs and economic stability.
As SACSS reflects on 25 years of service and 24 years since 9/11, the organization is reminded that its strength comes from the resilience of the community. The challenges have grown over the decades, but the need for compassion, support, and justice remains as urgent as ever, which is why SACSS encourages you to continue donating; for a stronger, more cared-for New York.