Jain Center of Southern California
I. It is with Genuine Excitement I share the news that JAINA President Mr. Ashokbhai Domadia will present a Presidential Institutional Award to Anekant Community Center (ACC) in 2017 JAINA Convention.
This is a matter of great pride to all members of JCSC who are members of ACC that our hard work and conscientious efforts to help underprivileged people not only in Southern California but around the World are recognized.
This is another First for JCSC as we are the only Jain Organization in North America (out of 68) who took this leap forward to officially establish ACC as a Non-Religious Non-Profit Organization for Humanitarian activities. ACC has grown by leaps and bounds over last 12 years (established in 2005), please see attached report for details.
II. Board of Directors of ACC will host a Booth in 2017 JAINA Convention to display our activities and educate other Sadharmik Youth, Shravak and Shravika about how to be Compassionate and help others!
If you are attending the Convention then please stop by ACC's booth and if you can help manning the booth for few hours then please contact Dr. Nitin Shah at 562 244 9035,
Anekant Community Center (ACC)
Established in January 2005 by members of Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) as a stand alone organization with a separate Board of Directors and non-profit status for Non-Religious Humanitarian activities. 501(c)(3) no. 04-3805625.
Goal - Very broad focus to help any and all in whichever way possible with Compassion/Anukampa in mind. The following are some of the activities worth noting:
I. Health - Locally
- Annual Free community health fair at JCSC since 2005 - benefiting over 5000 people
- Educational seminars on Depression, Heart disease & hypertension, Diabetes, And more - over 900 people
- Anaheim Health Fair - annually from 2007 in conjunction with the City of Anaheim and other organizations expanding to include even free onsite dental procedures like teeth extractions, feelings, cleaning etc. and giving Free Eye glasses - average seen around 800 people for a total so far of around 8800 people - this is the biggest annual health fair!
- Free community health fairs for many other local community including Jain, Zoarastrian, Bangladeshi, Viatnamese, Biddhists etc. - 31 health fairs impacting over 7500 people
II. Cultural
- East meets West - attended by 700
- Ustad Nishat Khan sitar concert - attended by over 500
- Manipuri dance concert by Padmshree Darshna Zaveri - over 400
- Antakshri for the community - 400
- Gujarati Hasya Kavi Samelan - 650 people
- 10th Anniversary celebration - 700
III. Tender Care Community Outreach (TCCOP) under ACC
Started in 2008 to help needy in Southern California - network of volunteers provide support, assistance, and referral services for people facing tremendous challenges.
- Monthly dinner to homeless at Church - since July 2008 - 22,800 served
- Weekly Breakfast to homeless - 100 per week since May 2008 - 46,400
- Tutoring students - 130 per year since 2012 - 650
- Groceries and other help to needy families and also in shelters - 60 families
- Backpack program providing a pallet of food to students with Charity Giving Children Hope- 400 per month for three years - 14,400. Donated 1500 Backpacks to Giving Children Hope Foundation for under privilege students in 2016-2017. Introduced JCYC students to fill backpacks for under privilege students on weekends in 2015-2016.
- Christmas wish to students and seniors - 280/year for 2 years - 560
- Valadez middle school support - School supplies for 255 students, food donations to McKinney Vento pantry, 60 food baskets to for families from Valdez School, 100 Blankets to Valdez School and homeless in Santa Ana, 25 iPads, Laptop to 2, eye glasses etc. for 3 years 10 Chrome Books, Provided 102 Sweat Shirts in 2012, sent 60 students to Spring Cultural show at Cal State Fullerton in 2014-2015, 25 gift cards for Payless shoes store, 25 pairs of shoes in November 2014, first aid kit and earthquake kit to the School, 100 Backpacks and Dinner experience for 20 students,etc.
- Orange County Mission - coffee, creamer, sugar etc. for 300homeless every month since March 2017-total 900
- Midnight Mission - 160 sandwiches once every month (October to December 2016) for three months & then once per week since 1/1/2017 - total of 2400
- Visiting sick patients in nursing home, hospitals, home etc. - 50
- Held seminars to prepare students prepare their resume and how to interview in 2009-2010 at the Jain Center.
- Helped homeless family for their immediate needs and stay at the hotels, 1 student bus pass in 2016 thru Giving Children Hope.
IV. Nalini Shah Cancer Fund under ACC was set up in 2008 in memory of Nalini Mukundray Shah's family and friends to spread cancer awareness education, prevention and early detection.
A. In USA
- Organized cancer awareness seminars at JCSC with the help of American Cancer Society and Orange County Health Authority - served 50
- Workshops for training of self-examination for early between detection of breast lump - served 38
- Arranged lectures on cancer symptoms detection at JCSC by cancer specialists
B. In India
- Sponsored early detection of cancer camps in association with Tata memorial hospital, Mumbai - 11 camps serving 800
- Sponsored a medical student from USA to study cervical cancer test at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai in 2011
- Sponsored cancer detection camp in May 2017 at Morbi in association with Gujarat Cancer Society
V. Help with Natural Disasters - ACC members have always supported in organizing, fund raising and even traveling to the affected areas.
- Kashmir earthquake - 2005
- Haiti Earthquake - 2010
- Philipines Tycoon - 2013
- Nepal Earthquake - 2015
- Haiti Hurricane - 2016
- New Orleans Floods and others
VI. Health - International
A. Zambia 1. Six missions since 2007. Have seen around 1600 patients and have done 370 operations for orthopedic, urology, p districts, dental and gynecological conditions. 2. We have also sent three consignment of medical equipment& supplies and clothing of 600 lbs, 1000 lbs and last one a full container of 43,000 Lbs.
B. South Africa - four missions between 2010 & 2012 for ENT and Eye care. Show total of 1154 patients and performed 14 ear, nose and throat operations and 774 cataract surgeries.
C. Haiti - one mission with JAINA in 2010 after the earthquake. Show pediatrics, eye care and anesthesia for surgical procedures - over 200 patients seen and about 35 operations.
D. Fiji - one mission - show orthopedic patients and did family therapy sessions - show over 150 patients and performed about 15 orthopedic procedures.
E. Malawi - one mission with ENT surgeon, show about 250 patients and did 44 operations.
F. Kenya - Two missions with Urology, orthopedics, uro-gynecologist, general surgeon, and Ophthalmology. Show 536 patients and did 301 surgeries.
G. Nepal - visit after earthquake. The purpose was to explore how can we help? A visit was made to the Kathmandu University hospital and Siddhi Memorial Hospital about establishing a Rehab center of Shree Bidada Sarvodaya Trust. It did bring results and now there is a rehab center there.
H. Jamaica - Three missions - cataract surgeries and dermatology. Show 789 patients and did 709 cataract surgeries.
I. India -
- Vyara - Annually since 2007 (Twelve missions) dental and surgery. Seen 2960 and helps 264 with dental procedures while 1672 patients have been operated for variety of surgical procedures like hernia, hydro else, hysterectomy etc.
- Rajpipla - Four missions 3857 people, 390 eye glasses in 2017
- Bangluru - Two missions - 2295 patients, 55 surgeries
- Manibeli - One mission, 411 people, 245 glasses given
- Mahuva - One mission 701 people, 395 eye glasses
- Valiya - Two missions - 1240 people, 390 eye glasses in 2017
- Maroli - Three missions - 1380 people, 405 eye glasses in 2017
- Bardoli - Two missions - 925 people, 45 surgeries
- Bhavnagar - Two missions - 214 people, 25 procedures
- Dhandhuka - Two missions - 1400 people, 20 surgeries
- Shimla - Two missions - 80 patients, 22 surgeries
- Surat - Two missions - 295 patients, 47 surgeries and 145 cataracts
VII. Education - Heritage Seminars (1 to 7) by Mrs. Ila G. Mehta
- Depression - May 17, 2009
- Diabetes - The Silent Killer - May 26, 2011
- Heart Disease & Hypertension in the South Asian Community - November 6, 2011
- Tagore Revisited - July 7, 2012
- Understanding “Cancer” - November 22, 2015
- Heart Disease & Heart Attack in the South Asian Community with Special Emphasis on Prevention and Treatment options - May 1, 2016
- Peace Strategies from Diverse Religions & Traditions in Today’s World - October 2, 2016
- “Economic Conference” - November 6, 2011
Average attendance in each is around 200 - total of 1600
Total people helped: 136,065
National - 114,740 (Personal, Cultural and Medical)
International - 21,325 (Medical & 4557 Life changing Surgeries)
Nitin, 562 244 9035.