Sewa International USA

Stories Woven Together Through Sewa Dancing Stars

"ASPIRE has been more than a program—it has been a second family. It gave me confidence, support, and the belief that I could achieve my dreams." — Angie

At first glance, Sewa Dancing Stars is a story about dance.

But look closer, and you'll find many stories moving together.

A participant steps onto the stage, carrying a mix of excitement, doubt, and determination. Through months of practice, they discover confidence, courage, and a version of themselves they never knew existed.

At the same time, a student like Angie is finding her own path. Once struggling with bullying and self-confidence, she found support, mentorship, and a community that helped her believe in her future.

For ten years, these journeys have been quietly woven together. As one person finds the confidence to shine under the spotlight, another finds the opportunity to dream bigger beyond it.

That is the beauty of Sewa Dancing Stars. It doesn't just create memorable performances—it helps create possibilities. Every step on the dance floor helps write a new chapter in someone else's story.

Through its support of the ASPIRE project, Sewa Dancing Stars helps provide mentorship, academic enrichment, and opportunities that empower students to build brighter futures.

Read more:
https://indoamerican-news.com/sewa-a-decade-of-dancing-paves-road-to-future-through-education/

Sewa: A Decade of Dancing Paves Road to Future through Education HOUSTON: Sewa International Houston celebrated the 10th anniversary of Sewa Dancing Stars (SDS), the flagship fundraising dance competition that has brought the community together through dance, service and philanthropy during the past decade. The event served as the official kickoff to a year-long....

Healthy ageing is not only about adding years to life. It is about making those years healthier, connected, and dignified.

At Sewa USA's Policy Cafe on Ageing with Dignity: Building Communities of Care and Connection, Dr. Dorothea Vafiadis highlighted the need to look at ageing through a whole-person lens.

She emphasized that nutrition, physical activity, emotional well-being, pain management, economic security, and social connection are all deeply linked. For many older adults, especially those on fixed incomes, daily choices are not simple. They may have to choose between rent, food, medicines, or other basic needs.

🎥 Watch the full discussion: https://ow.ly/gwZ550Ze3UJ

🧘 International Yoga Day 2026 | Sewa USA

At Sewa, we believe that good health is the foundation of a strong community. This International Yoga Day, our chapters across the United States are bringing people together to embrace a practice that nurtures physical well-being, mental clarity, emotional balance, and inner peace.

From Maryland and Cleveland to Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Seattle, and East Bay, hundreds of participants will come together to celebrate the spirit of One World. One Breath. One Family. One Health.

Join a session near you and take a step towards a healthier, happier, and more mindful life.

📍 Registration Links:
🔹 Cleveland (June 20, 9–10 AM) https://ow.ly/aGLa50ZcJU7
🔹 Maryland (June 20, 9 AM–12 Noon) https://ow.ly/GY4f50ZcJUb
🔹 Chicago (June 20, 8–10 AM) https://ow.ly/g9UL50ZcJTZ
🔹 Seattle (June 21, 10 AM) https://ow.ly/NNYo50ZcJU3
🔹 Phoenix (June 21, 8:30–10:30 AM) https://ow.ly/b2Qe50ZcJU2
🔹 Houston (June 21, 7 AM) https://ow.ly/stFa50ZcJU9
🔹 East Bay (June 21, 8–9 AM) https://ow.ly/4cGo50ZcJU8

Together, let's celebrate wellness, harmony, and the transformative power of yoga.

UJWAL 2026: An Evening of Community, Inspiration, and Impact ✨

What an unforgettable evening!

Sewa International - Boston Chapter : UJWAL 2026 brought together community members, supporters, partners, and performers for a celebration of service, connection, and shared purpose. Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we can continue advancing two impactful local initiatives:

🔬 ASPIRE Program – Providing after-school STEM education opportunities for middle and high school students in Lowell Public Schools.

🍲 Fresh Hot Meals Initiative – Supporting community college students through our partnership with World Food Movement.

One of the most inspiring moments of the evening was hearing directly from students during the fireside chat. Their stories highlighted the real impact of these programs and the opportunities they create for future generations. We were also honored to welcome Middlesex Community College President Phil Sisson, who joined us in celebrating the power of community-driven impact.

The evening was elevated by outstanding performances from Kunal Gunjal and the Soundscapes team, along with the talented Samarthanam Sisters, whose music filled the room with energy, joy, and inspiration.

UJWAL 2026 was more than a gala—it was a reminder of what is possible when a community comes together to serve, support, and uplift one another.

Stay tuned for more event highlights and photos coming soon! 📸✨

After-school programs are not just about keeping children occupied after class. They are about helping young people feel seen, supported, and connected.

At Sewa USA's Policy Café on Bridging the After-School Divide in California, Dr. Andrea Ettekal emphasized that the first step is simply helping young people “get in the door.” But meaningful impact begins when programs go beyond access and focus on relationships, belonging, and youth development.

Watch the full conversation here:
https://ow.ly/Mkoy50ZbIlr

🚨 Just 1 Day Left! 🚨

College applications can feel overwhelming—but they don't have to be.

Join the Sewa National Youth Council's College Admissions Insider Guide session and hear directly from students who have recently navigated the college admissions journey.

Ready to level up your college application journey? Register today!

🔗 Registration Link: https://bit.ly/SewaAdmissionGuidance

On May 29, five dedicated Sewa LEAD students, along with their families, successfully organized a Friday Night Dinner Box Fundraiser in support of Sewa International’s SHE and SAC programs.

From conceptualizing the fundraiser to creating promotional materials, managing orders, and promoting the initiative within their communities, the students took ownership of every step with remarkable dedication and teamwork. Their efforts led to an incredible response, with dozens of families participating and supporting the cause.

The students were deeply involved in every stage of the project — from grocery shopping and meal preparation to packaging and delivery. Together with their parents, they prepared delicious home-cooked vegetarian meals, carefully packed each order in eco-friendly containers, and ensured timely delivery to supporters.

More than just a fundraiser, this initiative gave the students valuable hands-on experience in leadership, teamwork, planning, and selfless service — truly living the spirit of Sewa.

A heartfelt thank you to all the families, volunteers, and community members who supported this effort and made it such a memorable and meaningful experience for our Sewa LEADs. Together, we continue to inspire the next generation of changemakers!

What drives the gap between service-learning policy and practice?

Our latest report explores this question through an in-depth examination of California's service-learning ecosystem. Drawing on historical research, policy analysis, and implementation-level observations, the report examines how service-learning has evolved, how it is supported today, and how it is experienced across districts and organizations.

Key areas of focus include:

• The historical evolution of service-learning in California
• The role of SSCE, California Serves, and HSS in supporting civic engagement
• Opportunities and challenges in translating policy frameworks into effective practice

The research highlights an important reality: California has established a strong foundation for service-learning. The opportunity now lies in strengthening implementation to ensure high-quality, meaningful experiences for students across communities.

📘 Read the full report: https://sewausa.org/California-K-12-Service-Learning-Report

Giving the Gift of Life Through Blood Donation ❤️🩸

The recent blood drive in Novi, Michigan, brought community members together with a shared purpose—to help save lives through blood donation and strengthen the local blood supply.

Katie Del Piano, Versiti Account Representative, praised the success of the drive, noting: "Your team always pulls through and absolutely crushes goal. This was your best drive since September 2024. Congratulations!"

Thanks to the generosity of donors, the drive exceeded expectations and collected 22 units of blood, helping support patients in need.

Special thanks to the Sri Venkateswara Temple Committee and Versiti Blood Center for their partnership in making this life-saving initiative possible.