April 3, 2016 – India Home is happy to be back at the SNAP Center of Eastern Queens providing culturally competent services to South Asians seniors in the neighborhood. India Home first started its Wednesday program at SNAP on April 16th, 2008. We took a brief hiatus, and it is only fitting that we return to SNAP in the month of April. Eastern Queens, which includes the neighborhoods of Bellerose, Queens Village, Glen Oaks, and Floral Park, has a very large South Asian community.
The opening ceremony was also a Holi celebration that featured a cultural event and a delicious lunch. We had performers Jyotika Patel and Archana Dave perform songs and dances for our senior attendees. NY State Assembly Member David Weprin and Council Member Barry Grodenchik along with other officials like District 24 Leader John Albert and Community Board 13 Chair Bryan Block were present for the function and gave their words of support. Coordinators of Bruhud Seniors of Greater New York, Gopi Udeshi and Shashikant Patel, were instrumental in organizing and running the event. Lastly, we thank SNAP for providing us the space on Sunday and welcoming us back with open arms. Marian Lewek, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SNAP, shared some sweet memories of the long relationship between India Home and SNAP.
Lakshman Kalaspudi, Program Manager of India Home, gave an overview of the services we offer seniors across Queens and spoke of our expansion in the future. Shashikant Patel spoke about the programming that will offered at SNAP Center on Wednesdays–for example, in keeping with the needs of our South Asian seniors, India Home will offer a nutritious, vegetarian lunch. The regular program will start every Wednesday from April 6th from 9am to 2pm. We will feature yoga, hot vegetarian lunch, recreational activities, guest talks, arts & crafts, and more.
