South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency

sahara was founded on the belief that services should be offered in a culturally sensitive environment where individuals feel a sense of safety, connectedness, respect, and dignity. guided by this philosophy, sahara has evolved into a well-respected organization with an unwavering commitment to the south asian community. history & mission sahara, meaning “support” in hindi, was established in 1991 by a dedicated group of five clinical social workers and two physicians who came together to meet the underserved needs of the south asian community in southern california. what began and was sustained for a number of years through primarily volunteer service and investment has grown into a fully staffed agency supporting youth, older adults, and survivors of domestic abuse. over the last 27 years sahara has expanded its programs to include a robust menu of culturally sensitive and linguistically specific services focused on improving the quality of life of individuals seeking support. confid