Community Projects

These are examples of local community projects undertaken by various satsang groups across India and the United States. You could participate in similar projects in your community as well.

Institute of Peoples’ Education
This program offers poor communities a literacy project, occupational courses, suicide prevention, and self-sufficiency programs.

Amrita Development Activities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
This program stimulates employment and environmental protection in rural villages.

It has also established medicinal plant reserves, high-density farming, a plant nursery, and 8 satellite-aided resource centers.

Self-Reliance Employment & Empowerment Program (SREE) in Kozhikode
Helping unemployed and deprived people start up their own small businesses.

Scarves that Warmed Up Hearts
The Seattle satsang group took on a community project of making scarves, afghans & hats for the homeless. All it took was a bit of unused yarn to bring joy as it was turned into objects of beauty to warm someone's body and heart for years to come. Read more.

How did Seattle satsang celebrate Amma's 51st birthday? ... by helping make more scarves....

Akron Battered Women Shelter
Akron Battered Women SHelter is a project where local devotees volunteer to teach yoga, meditation and computer training classes (among other activities) to help battered women in Akron, Ohio rebuild their lives.

Amma's Hands
Amma's Hands is a New England based effort that organizes extensive material support (food, books, living supplies etc.) as well as services such as transportation support, prayer commitments and hospital visitations to benefit prison inmates and the disadvantaged in the region.

San Francisco Shower Project
San Francisco shower project is organized in San Francisco's Mission district in conjunction with the local high school and the Metropolitan Community church to provide over 200 hot showers (as well as food and clothing) every weekend to the homeless.

Shelter Against Violent Environments [S.A.V.E.]
S.A.V.E. is a non-profit organization based in Northern California. Its mission is to provide alternatives to domestic violence through support services, advocacy and education, and to assist domestic violence victims and their families to end the cycle of violence. The SAVE Project has been supported by satsang members of M. A. Center for the past nine years, contributing in diverse ways to their effort to provide a Safe Environment Against Violence. Every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas, M. A. Center's satsang makes special contributions to the SAVE shelter in Hayward, California.

Rice Plus Project
On the last Sunday of every month, devotees and friends meet in Carmel, California to re-package and distribute 2000 pounds of rice to the families of farm workers and other needy people in the area. In addition, beans and other food items are distributed, and every winter warm clothing, blankets, jackets, sleeping bags, etc are collected and distributed as well. Clothes for children and babies, toys, and other necessities are always welcome. What started out as a small group has grown into an inspiring well knitted group of forty. A new volunteer after her very first day packing rice said "This is the best project I have done in a long time and I am definitely coming back to help more. Contact Sandhya at 831-624-6715 for more information.