Laal Grishmo - Laal's Summer Fundraiser
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Laal Grishmo is the first of Laal’s annual online fundraiser and summer party. We plan to raise a total of $25,000 to kick-start Laal’s Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 programming. This amount will go towards general operations costs as well as paying for workshop expenses, and individual case management.
ABOUT LAAL
Laal is working to create resources that Bengali women in Norwood, Bronx need to live healthy, engaged, joyful lives.
Laal means red in Bangla. Laal symbolizes the mark of menstruation, the alta Bengali women use to adorn themselves; the red saree Bengali women wear on their wedding day; the red bindi for which Bengali women are famous; and the red sun which is in the center of the Bangladeshi flag. We chose this as our name because it serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience of Bengali women.
Bengalis are one of the fastest growing immigrant groups in New York City. According to the Asian American Federation’s profile on New York City’s Bangladeshi Americans, the Bangladeshi population grew 42% in three years, from 34,237 in 2008 to 48,677 in 2011 (Asian American Federation Census Information Center, 2013). About twenty percent of that population resides in the Bronx (Asian American Federation Census Information Center, 2013). On top of that, Bangladeshis are among the poorest Asian ethnic groups in the city (Asian American Federation Census Information Center, 2013). Overall, one in three Bangladeshis live below the poverty line (Asian American Federation Census Information Center, 2013).
This is the context in which Bengali women in New York City live. The rapid growth coupled with poverty and lack of resources specific to this community has left many women unable to acclimate to life in the United States. Many of these women don’t speak English and don’t feel empowered to do basic things on their own. Over half of the Bangladeshis, that is over 53%, in New York City have limited English proficiency (Asian American Federation Census Information Center, 2013).
Although Bengalis are a fast-growing immigrant population, the resources to meet the demand of this growing community is scarce, especially in the Bronx. Currently, Norwood, Bronx has no non-profits or secular institutions that work directly with this community. Laal aims to provide the much-needed resources that this community needs.
LAAL'S PROGRAMS
In 2019, Laal will start with basic ESL classes, wellness classes, and educate women to use resources like subways, libraries, banks. Within the next three years we hope to expand to offer courses in tech, leadership, sex education, domestic violence support, nutrition services, a young women's leadership program, job training, and financial literacy. We want the resources and educational programs we provide to create a lasting and meaningful impact on Bangladeshi women in the Bronx.
In addition to our programming, within the next 5 years we commit to creating a dedicated physical space where Bangladeshi women can congregate, work, and meet. Bangladeshi women in Norwood lack a safe, public space to convene. While Bangladeshi men frequent culturally masculine spaces, such as neighborhood restaurants and mosques, Bangladeshi women of the Bronx lack a safe, public space to convene.
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
The co-founders Sanjana Khan and Ayesha Akhtar grew up in the Norwood section of the Bronx, the very same community that Laal serves. They grew up watching the Bengali women in their community, including their own mothers, struggle to balance their new lives in America. Although Bengalis are one of the fastest growing communities in NYC, the resources, tools, and network of support have not reached this particular neighborhood of the Bronx. Even as this community has grown in the past 30 years, Norwood Bengali women continue to be isolated from each other. There are high levels of depression, and the cultural stigma of domestic violence prevents many women from reaching out to each other or anyone inside of their communities for support.
Being so connected and rooted to the mission means that both Khan and Akhtar operate from a place of love and care. They are inspired by the strength and resilience of our own mothers, aunts, and sisters, and wish to provide the community with resources that they wish their own mothers had.
THE TEAM
Laal's team is a group of dedicated individuals who are passionate about their community. Our team includes Shumona Shimi, case manager & founding board member; Nazneen Lenu, community outreach coordinator; Tania Wahdud, outreach specialist; Ishrat Aishee, grants coordinator; MD Khan, Events Manager; Lea Jackson, production manager; Jonas Stankovich, accountant. Everyone on the team (with the exception of our community outreach coordinator) currently works pro-bono and volunteers their time.
TIERS FOR GIVING
$15 Supporter. Thank you for your support! Any amount helps support our program and mission.
$25 Friends of Laal. Donations of $25 or more qualify you for one ticket to our exclusive summer party - Laal Grishmo. Make sure to RSVP on Eventbrite , and you must show your receipt at the door.
$50 Laal Family. Photo op with the director’s and the team at Laal’s summer party; donations of $25 or more qualify you for two tickets to our exclusive summer party - Laal Grishmo. Make sure to RSVP on Eventbrite , and you must show your receipt at the door
$100 Laal Community Builders. Enrollment in our raffle; Photo op with the director’s and the team at Laal’s summer party; Donations of $25 or more qualify you for a ticket to our exclusive summer party - Laal Grishmo. Make sure to RSVP on Eventbrite and get 4 tickets. Remember, you must show your GoFundMe receipt at the door
$200 Laal Stars. Special shout out and thank you on Laal website and at our Laal Grishmo event; Enrollment in our raffle; Photo op with the director’s and the team at Laal’s summer party; Eight tickets to our exclusive summer party - Laal Grishmo.
$500 Business sponsorship level; Logo on Laal website; Logo on Laal Grishmo marketing materials; Special shout out and thank you on Laal website and at event; Enrollment in our raffle; Photo op with the director’s and the team at Laal’s summer party; Ten tickets to our exclusive summer party - Laal Grishmo.
LAAL GRISHMO EVENT
At @laalnyc we wanted to create a safe and inclusive space for our first ever fundraising event. We want to connect with organizers, activists, artists, all those whose sole existence is revolutionary. Join us for a radical night of love where we celebrate US, our movement building, our diasporas, identities, ourselves. Drop it low, then pick it up slow.
This line up is hosted by @kuttigang and @laalnyc! Amazing beats all night by @visiblpantyline, @flor2k, @ayescoldand the @djrekha. And a special performance by @mati_gaika. Location: @babysallright
Party with the Laal team and help us fundraise for our Fall and Spring Programs. Network with other folks who care about changing the status quo of Bengali and South Asian women. All proceeds go towards LAAL's Fall and Spring Programming. ✨
A donation of $25 or more to our GoFundMe qualifies you for one ticket to our fundraising party. You'll have to make sure to show your GoFundMe receipt at the door.
Please RSVP via Eventbrite to claim your ticket: bit.ly/laalparty
LAAL IN THE NEWS
Norwood News: A Bengali Women’s Empowerment Group Walks A Tightrope in Norwood
News 12: Norwood women create non-profit dedicated to helping Bengali women
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
@LaalNYC
All donations are tax-deductible.
You can also donate via check, Paypal or Venmo. Email [email redacted] for details. If you're interested in volunteering please email [email redacted]
ABOUT LAAL
Laal is working to create resources that Bengali women in Norwood, Bronx need to live healthy, engaged, joyful lives.
Laal means red in Bangla. Laal symbolizes the mark of menstruation, the alta Bengali women use to adorn themselves; the red saree Bengali women wear on their wedding day; the red bindi for which Bengali women are famous; and the red sun which is in the center of the Bangladeshi flag. We chose this as our name because it serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience of Bengali women.
Bengalis are one of the fastest growing immigrant groups in New York City. According to the Asian American Federation’s profile on New York City’s Bangladeshi Americans, the Bangladeshi population grew 42% in three years, from 34,237 in 2008 to 48,677 in 2011 (Asian American Federation Census Information Center, 2013). About twenty percent of that population resides in the Bronx (Asian American Federation Census Information Center, 2013). On top of that, Bangladeshis are among the poorest Asian ethnic groups in the city (Asian American Federation Census Information Center, 2013). Overall, one in three Bangladeshis live below the poverty line (Asian American Federation Census Information Center, 2013).
This is the context in which Bengali women in New York City live. The rapid growth coupled with poverty and lack of resources specific to this community has left many women unable to acclimate to life in the United States. Many of these women don’t speak English and don’t feel empowered to do basic things on their own. Over half of the Bangladeshis, that is over 53%, in New York City have limited English proficiency (Asian American Federation Census Information Center, 2013).
Although Bengalis are a fast-growing immigrant population, the resources to meet the demand of this growing community is scarce, especially in the Bronx. Currently, Norwood, Bronx has no non-profits or secular institutions that work directly with this community. Laal aims to provide the much-needed resources that this community needs.
LAAL'S PROGRAMS
In 2019, Laal will start with basic ESL classes, wellness classes, and educate women to use resources like subways, libraries, banks. Within the next three years we hope to expand to offer courses in tech, leadership, sex education, domestic violence support, nutrition services, a young women's leadership program, job training, and financial literacy. We want the resources and educational programs we provide to create a lasting and meaningful impact on Bangladeshi women in the Bronx.
In addition to our programming, within the next 5 years we commit to creating a dedicated physical space where Bangladeshi women can congregate, work, and meet. Bangladeshi women in Norwood lack a safe, public space to convene. While Bangladeshi men frequent culturally masculine spaces, such as neighborhood restaurants and mosques, Bangladeshi women of the Bronx lack a safe, public space to convene.
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
The co-founders Sanjana Khan and Ayesha Akhtar grew up in the Norwood section of the Bronx, the very same community that Laal serves. They grew up watching the Bengali women in their community, including their own mothers, struggle to balance their new lives in America. Although Bengalis are one of the fastest growing communities in NYC, the resources, tools, and network of support have not reached this particular neighborhood of the Bronx. Even as this community has grown in the past 30 years, Norwood Bengali women continue to be isolated from each other. There are high levels of depression, and the cultural stigma of domestic violence prevents many women from reaching out to each other or anyone inside of their communities for support.
Being so connected and rooted to the mission means that both Khan and Akhtar operate from a place of love and care. They are inspired by the strength and resilience of our own mothers, aunts, and sisters, and wish to provide the community with resources that they wish their own mothers had.
THE TEAM
Laal's team is a group of dedicated individuals who are passionate about their community. Our team includes Shumona Shimi, case manager & founding board member; Nazneen Lenu, community outreach coordinator; Tania Wahdud, outreach specialist; Ishrat Aishee, grants coordinator; MD Khan, Events Manager; Lea Jackson, production manager; Jonas Stankovich, accountant. Everyone on the team (with the exception of our community outreach coordinator) currently works pro-bono and volunteers their time.
TIERS FOR GIVING
$15 Supporter. Thank you for your support! Any amount helps support our program and mission.
$25 Friends of Laal. Donations of $25 or more qualify you for one ticket to our exclusive summer party - Laal Grishmo. Make sure to RSVP on Eventbrite , and you must show your receipt at the door.
$50 Laal Family. Photo op with the director’s and the team at Laal’s summer party; donations of $25 or more qualify you for two tickets to our exclusive summer party - Laal Grishmo. Make sure to RSVP on Eventbrite , and you must show your receipt at the door
$100 Laal Community Builders. Enrollment in our raffle; Photo op with the director’s and the team at Laal’s summer party; Donations of $25 or more qualify you for a ticket to our exclusive summer party - Laal Grishmo. Make sure to RSVP on Eventbrite and get 4 tickets. Remember, you must show your GoFundMe receipt at the door
$200 Laal Stars. Special shout out and thank you on Laal website and at our Laal Grishmo event; Enrollment in our raffle; Photo op with the director’s and the team at Laal’s summer party; Eight tickets to our exclusive summer party - Laal Grishmo.
$500 Business sponsorship level; Logo on Laal website; Logo on Laal Grishmo marketing materials; Special shout out and thank you on Laal website and at event; Enrollment in our raffle; Photo op with the director’s and the team at Laal’s summer party; Ten tickets to our exclusive summer party - Laal Grishmo.
LAAL GRISHMO EVENT
At @laalnyc we wanted to create a safe and inclusive space for our first ever fundraising event. We want to connect with organizers, activists, artists, all those whose sole existence is revolutionary. Join us for a radical night of love where we celebrate US, our movement building, our diasporas, identities, ourselves. Drop it low, then pick it up slow.
This line up is hosted by @kuttigang and @laalnyc! Amazing beats all night by @visiblpantyline, @flor2k, @ayescoldand the @djrekha. And a special performance by @mati_gaika. Location: @babysallright
Party with the Laal team and help us fundraise for our Fall and Spring Programs. Network with other folks who care about changing the status quo of Bengali and South Asian women. All proceeds go towards LAAL's Fall and Spring Programming. ✨
A donation of $25 or more to our GoFundMe qualifies you for one ticket to our fundraising party. You'll have to make sure to show your GoFundMe receipt at the door.
Please RSVP via Eventbrite to claim your ticket: bit.ly/laalparty
LAAL IN THE NEWS
Norwood News: A Bengali Women’s Empowerment Group Walks A Tightrope in Norwood
News 12: Norwood women create non-profit dedicated to helping Bengali women
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
@LaalNYC
All donations are tax-deductible.
You can also donate via check, Paypal or Venmo. Email [email redacted] for details. If you're interested in volunteering please email [email redacted]
Fundraising team: Laal Grishmo Team (8)
Ayesha Akhtar
Organizer
Raised $811 from 20 donations
Parking, NY
Sanjana Khan
Team member
Raised $3,868 from 25 donations
MD Khan
Team member
Raised $2,140 from 14 donations
Ayesha Jyoti Akhtar
Team member
Raised $1,895 from 18 donations
Shumona Shimi
Team member
Raised $1,288 from 23 donations
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