Why did we start?
Aavanee* (*Earth) is a 7+ year old charitable non-profit social service organization with a mission to work today to bring a change tomorrow in the lives of women, children and seniors. We started as a voice for women and families and aim at helping them gain education in STEM field, improve nutrition, mental health and plan towards future financial stability.
Careers in Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are fast growing and in demand field throughout the world. There is a need to inspire girls to explore their interest in STEM fields to take up a a potential career. The need arises directly from the 2016 ALICE statistics (Asset, Limited Income Constrained, Employed) related to women especially single female headed households (~79% are either poor or ALICE) and for households under age 25 (~85% are either poor or ALICE). Aavanee's Women Project (CaRe: Career Restart) aims at providing Education Training and Employment opportunities to Women who are either Female Head of Households, Displaced Homemakers or housewife trying to start or get back to work force.
There are a few resources and programs for girls in Maryland, accessible through school system. An early intervention into this problem is to provide training and STEM motivation to school age children (especially girls). Such programs will certainly impact the career path chosen by these young minds and provide the much needed financial stability for these future households. A local organization consisting of a group of highly trained scientists and technologists can design and implement STEM programs that are easily accessible and at no cost to the community.
We work towards a peaceful path to resolve the domestic abuse/violence issues in our society. Due to its sensitive nature, we do not publicize the stories on our social media. However, we do our best to counsel, connect the women needing support with local resources such as housing/shelter, transportation, childcare, legal, workforce training to empower them while they make their life decisions.
Another area we are focused on is the mental health of our Seniors, especially immigrant families that lack the native home network, here in the US. At this time we manage a South Asian Seniors group called " Desi Senior Cafe'" that meets twice a month for a light activity, expert talks, hot lunch and tea sessions, while maintaining daily networking through WhatsApp. With the growing Senior population in the coming years, this program has become an essential part of our non-profit.
Our Board members are serving in various local government Commissions and Boards such as Frederick County Commission for Women, Montgomery County Commission for Women, FC Immigrant Affairs Commission and boards of other non-profits.
Careers in Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are fast growing and in demand field throughout the world. There is a need to inspire girls to explore their interest in STEM fields to take up a a potential career. The need arises directly from the 2016 ALICE statistics (Asset, Limited Income Constrained, Employed) related to women especially single female headed households (~79% are either poor or ALICE) and for households under age 25 (~85% are either poor or ALICE). Aavanee's Women Project (CaRe: Career Restart) aims at providing Education Training and Employment opportunities to Women who are either Female Head of Households, Displaced Homemakers or housewife trying to start or get back to work force.
There are a few resources and programs for girls in Maryland, accessible through school system. An early intervention into this problem is to provide training and STEM motivation to school age children (especially girls). Such programs will certainly impact the career path chosen by these young minds and provide the much needed financial stability for these future households. A local organization consisting of a group of highly trained scientists and technologists can design and implement STEM programs that are easily accessible and at no cost to the community.
We work towards a peaceful path to resolve the domestic abuse/violence issues in our society. Due to its sensitive nature, we do not publicize the stories on our social media. However, we do our best to counsel, connect the women needing support with local resources such as housing/shelter, transportation, childcare, legal, workforce training to empower them while they make their life decisions.
Another area we are focused on is the mental health of our Seniors, especially immigrant families that lack the native home network, here in the US. At this time we manage a South Asian Seniors group called " Desi Senior Cafe'" that meets twice a month for a light activity, expert talks, hot lunch and tea sessions, while maintaining daily networking through WhatsApp. With the growing Senior population in the coming years, this program has become an essential part of our non-profit.
Our Board members are serving in various local government Commissions and Boards such as Frederick County Commission for Women, Montgomery County Commission for Women, FC Immigrant Affairs Commission and boards of other non-profits.
community foundation 2025 impact grant interns:
vandana J, sudha t, kelly b
PAST interns (women's giving circle grants):
SONALI K, navya r, MiNAKSHI N, RAJLAKSHMI B, RAKHI J
Meet THE AAVANEE TEAM
|
LAKSHMI DARBHA
|
ROSARIO CAMPOS
|
ARCHANA KASHYAP
|
YEWANDE A. OLADEINDE |
|
SESHA JUPUDI |
DURGA ADDEPALLI |
PRESIDENT: LAKSHMI DARBHA
RECORDER: ARCHANA KASHYAP
TREASURER: ROSARIO CAMPOS
VICE CHAIR (SENIORS): GURPREET KAUR
VICE CHAIR (Montgomery COUNTY): PUSHPA NANDIBASAPPA
VICE CHAIR (STEM): POONAM TEWARY
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
SESHA JUPUDI, YEWANDE A. OLADEINDE, DURGA ADDEPALLI, SHANU OBEROI
TAMRI GUPTA, HAMSA BALAJI
WORKFORCE TRAINING ADVISORS:
SANTHANA SHAN (MINNODI LLC)
SAVITA PRABHAKAR (FCC)
MEDICAL & MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORS:
DR MANJULA KATARAM
DR USHA SIVAKUMAR
DR ANJALI JAIN
FINANCIAL EDUCATION ADVISORS:
MALATHY K, SATHISH R (VISAM FINANCIALS)
OTHER COLLABORATIONS:
FREDERICK COUNTY COMMISSION FOR WOMEN, MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSION FOR WOMEN, HEARTLY HOUSE,
AMERICAN DIVERSITY GROUP, UNESCO BMW, NIGERIANS OF FREDERICK,
ASIAN AMERICAN CENTER OF FREDERICK,
SBAT TEMPLE, CLARKSBURG VILLAGE SOUTH ASIAN GROUP
RECORDER: ARCHANA KASHYAP
TREASURER: ROSARIO CAMPOS
VICE CHAIR (SENIORS): GURPREET KAUR
VICE CHAIR (Montgomery COUNTY): PUSHPA NANDIBASAPPA
VICE CHAIR (STEM): POONAM TEWARY
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
SESHA JUPUDI, YEWANDE A. OLADEINDE, DURGA ADDEPALLI, SHANU OBEROI
TAMRI GUPTA, HAMSA BALAJI
WORKFORCE TRAINING ADVISORS:
SANTHANA SHAN (MINNODI LLC)
SAVITA PRABHAKAR (FCC)
MEDICAL & MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORS:
DR MANJULA KATARAM
DR USHA SIVAKUMAR
DR ANJALI JAIN
FINANCIAL EDUCATION ADVISORS:
MALATHY K, SATHISH R (VISAM FINANCIALS)
OTHER COLLABORATIONS:
FREDERICK COUNTY COMMISSION FOR WOMEN, MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSION FOR WOMEN, HEARTLY HOUSE,
AMERICAN DIVERSITY GROUP, UNESCO BMW, NIGERIANS OF FREDERICK,
ASIAN AMERICAN CENTER OF FREDERICK,
SBAT TEMPLE, CLARKSBURG VILLAGE SOUTH ASIAN GROUP