Sudha & Dilip Found a Second Family at SACSS

Sudha Rawal and Dilip Rawal built a fulfilling life in India, but family duty called for them when Dilip’s sister needed them by her side in the U.S. With generous hearts, they uprooted their lives and moved to New York.

Dilip arrived with high hopes. A seasoned textile production supervisor back home, he believed his experience would open doors. Instead, he ended up working at a bead crafting shop for just $3 an hour. Language barriers made things even more difficult, and Sudha took up a job at a pharmacy to help make ends meet.

Dilip pushed forward, moving through multiple jobs before landing a position in the U.S. Customs as a chemist. His dedication led him to take on several roles, including the high-pressure responsibility of serving on the bomb squad after 9/11. The demands of his career took a toll but through it all, the couple leaned on each other.

Their faith and sense of community kept them grounded. They found comfort in their local temple, where prayers turned into friendships. One of those friends introduced them to SACSS. During the pandemic, Dilip and Sudha started to feel isolated but SACSS stepped in—keeping them connected with other seniors through Zoom meetings.

Now, regulars at the senior center Sudha and Dilip have witnessed SACSS grow from a modest space into having a building of its own. Naturally outgoing, the couple cherish their time at SACSS, where they have built strong friendships and enjoy various activities such as Sudha’s love for bowling and Dilip’s penchant for exercise. Though they’ve left India behind, Sudha and Dilip have found a new kind of home, one filled with warmth, purpose, and the company of those who understand their journey and connect in a language they know.