South Asian Council receives $589,061 Grant Through New York State Assembly AAPI

State Assembly Asian Pacific American (APA) Task Force as part of the historic $30
million investment for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in
the FY 2025–26 State Budget. This significant allocation, secured under the
leadership of APA Task Force Chair Assemblymember Grace Lee and supported by
Assemblymember Nily Rozic, will directly help SACSS’s essential services for
underserved South Asian and other New Yorkers across Queens.

"SACSS is truly grateful to the New York Assembly APA Task Force and Assembly
Member Grace Lee for continuing to advocate for Asian communities and for
organizations such as ours that provide critical services such as healthcare access,
food security, senior services, mental health programs, connection to benefits and
workforce development initiatives,” said Sudha Acharya, Executive Director of
SACSS. “Special thanks to Assembly Member Nily Rozic for her long standing
support and unwavering commitment to SACSS and for always being there for us.
This grant will strengthen SACSS; programs and ensure a healthier and stronger
future for the communities we serve"

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, Sudha Acharya, Executive Director of SACSS, and Assemblymember
Grace Lee, Chair of the APA Task Force.
SACSS serves more than 300,000 New Yorkers each year and has become a
trusted lifeline for individuals and families facing food insecurity, language
barriers, mental health challenges, restricted access to healthcare, and limited

pathways to workforce development. SACSS was founded in 2000 to address gaps
in access for New York’s rapidly growing South Asian population. SACSS has
grown to serve more than one million New Yorkers through culturally competent,
community-centered programming. The organization opened New York City’s first
South Asian food pantry in 2016 and, in 2021, launched its state-of-the-art
community center in the heart of Flushing, Queens.

The APA Task Force has worked tirelessly to ensure that the state budget prioritizes
Asian American communities that have historically been overlooked. I am proud to
have led the effort to secure this year a historic $30 million investment for Asian
American organizations, which includes this crucial grant for SACSS," said
Assemblymember Grace Lee, Chair of the APA Task Force. "This funding is vital
and will directly support trusted work as a leading institution empowering
South Asian and immigrant New Yorkers in Queens.

“SACSS has been a lifeline for countless families in Queens, especially those
navigating food insecurity, language barriers, and limited access to essential services,”
said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “This investment ensures they can continue
meeting the needs of South Asian and immigrant communities with dignity and care.
I’m proud to support SACSS’s integral mission and the communities they uplift every
day.”

Phone: (718) 321-7929. Fax: (718) 321-0628. | sacss@sacssny.org | www.sacssny.org
143 02 45th Avenue, Flushing, New York 11355.

This year’s state investment will allow SACSS to expand its capacity, strengthen
program delivery, and continue addressing the evolving needs of underserved South
Asian and other communities across Queens and New York City.

In the picture:
Alex He, Deputy Secretary to the Speaker for Intergovernmental & External Affairs New York State
Assembly, Anjali Maniam, Director of Development at SACSS, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, Sudha
Acharya, Executive Director of SACSS, Mary Archana Fernandez, Director of Family Support Services
at SACSS, Rehan Mehmood, Director of Health Services at SACSS, and Assemblymember Grace Lee,
Chair of the APA Task Force.