SAWERA’S History

• Mission & Goals
• SAWERA’S History
• Programs
• Board of Directors
• Staff Positions
• Funding
• Newsletter

The late 1990s saw an increase in South Asian women, in the Portland area, facing domestic violence.

A pioneering group of women and volunteers founded SAWERA in 1997 to help such women and children in need.

SAWERA has come a long way since its inception in May 1997. We have continued to be the only culturally specific South Asian agency serving domestic violence victims in Oregon. We provide case management that fosters self sufficiency, offers support and guidance and focuses on the needs of each individual client as a human being.

SAWERA’s services have expanded tremendously in response to the ever-growing needs of women who seek our support. We started a domestic violence support group in October of 1999 – a free, confidential, and culturally sensitive service which allows SAWERA’s clients to meet other survivors of DV and seek support from each other. The support group is facilitated by a professional counselor and also provides free childcare, The Kids’ Club, and interpreters. 

Our networking and outreaching efforts have helped us increase our volunteer base over the many years. We have grown to be very diverse, serving women from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Tibet, and Fiji. We also use outreach and networking to educate the community about domestic violence and dispel the myth that it does not exist in the South Asian community.

Thanks to our donors and community support, we continue to gain recognition. We receive generous grants from the federal government, the Victims of Crime Act, the State of Oregon, the Oregon Domestic and Sexual Violence Service Fund, Employee Match Funds from local businesses and large organizations, and generous donations from the public.