who we are
About Us
Helping Hands supports South Asians who are trying to break the cycle of domestic and sexual violence and take back control of their lives. We recognize that immigrant survivors of gender violence in the United States face unique challenges, including limited access to medical, legal, social, protective and support services. We provide personalized and confidential support to empower women by connecting them with local counseling, advocacy and crisis intervention services.
Helping Hands is also set up to assist the elderly in the South Asian community. We offer support and friendship to our elders, who have already sacrificed a huge part of their lives to nurture two generations of their families. Our services include, but are not limited to, services and programs to promote health and independence for the elderly, information and referral services for medical, food, transportation and meal programs.
Helping Hands can also provide additional assistance, as needed, to members of the South Asian community, new immigrants and visitors.
All Helping Hands services are free and confidential.
Our Founders
Mona Alag
“I was deeply affected by the challenges young brides from India face.”
Mona Alag has worked as a Marketing Manager. She arrived in the U.S. in 1970. She also worked as an interpreter at the Cleveland Clinic and as a financial advisor to the patients. She is a past President of FICA and now Vice Chairperson of FICA Board of Trustees. She initiated programs such as Project Seva and feeding the indigent. She is a mother to 2 children and grandmother to 4 grandchildren.
Dr. Jaya Shah
“I always wanted to serve the needy in remote places, where help is desperately needed.”
Jaya Shah, a pediatrician came to the U.S. in 1969. The deadly tsunami of 2004 in Thailand re-ignited her passion to help people in distress. Along with her husband they formed ‘Medical Yatra’. A group of 8-10 doctors and volunteers, who put their skills to work to help the needy. Thus far they have worked in India, Uganda, Kenya, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. She is the mother of 2 children and grandmother to 4 grandchildren.
Dr. Gita Gidwani
“The world is my family, my heart goes out to people in need.”
Gita Gidwani, specialized in Gynecology and worked at the Cleveland Clinic for 35 years. She came to the U.S. in 1968. She has tirelessly worked for many charitable organizations, such as Medical Yatra, the Rotary club, the free clinic to name a few. She is a mother to 2 children and a grandmother of 6 grandchildren.
Our Team
Poonam Punwani – Chair
Swati Sathe – Secretary
Sumita Kedia – Treasurer
Mala Garg
Guniya Bafna
Mona Alag
Dr. Jaya Shah
Dr. Gita Gidwani
Dr. Lilian Gonsalves Ebrahim
Jasvir Sahota
Hemant Kanodia
Nipa Turakhia
Join our mission. Volunteer, Donate, Advocate. Get Started Today.
Email: HH.FICACleveland@gmail.com
Call Anytime: (440)-346-8281