Maitri Gala 2023

For Immediate Release

Maitri Raises over $600K at its 2023 Gala!

Empowering the South Asian survivors of domestic violence for 32 Years.

San Jose, California, March 14, 2023

Maitri (www.maitri.org) celebrated 32 years of empowering South Asian survivors of domestic violence and abuse with a glittering and successful gala on March 11, 2023, in alo Alto, California. The occasion was graced by Silicon Valley CEOs, VCs, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members who generously donated over $600K. 

The funds will be used for strengthening Maitri’s comprehensive suite of services and programs ranging from a helpline, a transitional house, outreach and prevention, legal advocacy, mental health, and economic empowerment program. Geetha Krishnamurthy, Maitri Board President, says, “Despite all the challenges of the pandemic, the volatility of the markets, and uncertainty in the world, our community once again came together to fund the critical work at Maitri. The pandemic has been a very difficult time for survivors: they lost jobs, have experienced more violence, and, in general, struggled more than usual. In FY22, the total number of clients helped increased by 28%.”

Rama Dharmarajan, Executive Director at Maitri, says, “For the last several years, we have considerably expanded our Outreach and Education on Healthy Relationships for our next generation and this work with youth has created a stronger ownership in the community to change the intergenerational impact of domestic violence.”

The evening wrapped up with a dazzling musical performance by the young and talented Vidya Vox, a global YouTube superstar who brings together influences of her Indian-American heritage to create music that is refreshingly unique and contemporary, seamlessly fusing together the intricacies of Indian music with elements of electronic and hip-hop for an undeniably catchy sound.

Maitri is a free, confidential, nonprofit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area, empowering South Asian survivors of domestic violence and abuse. In these 32 years, the agency has responded to over 59,000 helpline calls and empowered more than 6,700 survivors with it’s transformational programs and active policy work.

For more information about Maitri, visit www.maitri.org. The Maitri toll-free helpline number: 1-888-862-4874 (1 888 8 MAITRI)

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Photo Credits: Cynthia Pillay and Manjunath Iyengar