State Agency

Our mission is to support and empower transgender youth, young adults, and their families while educating communities in SD and the surrounding region about gender identity and expression.

Transgender South Dakotans deserve better. Far too many transgender youth and young adults in our state and region have faced misunderstanding, hostility, and outright discrimination simply because of who they are. This has created a climate where kids live in fear of being their true selves, where parents desperate for community are increasingly isolated, and where vulnerable people feel powerless. We are determined to change that and turn our home into a place where communities embrace their transgender neighbors, where every family has a support network, and where transgender kids can live safely and authentically. Our vision is one where every young person knows they are loved, valued, and empowered to make their dreams a reality.

Equality South Dakota consists of three separate arms that work in concert to meet a shared mission.

Equality South Dakota Institute is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that works statewide to win equality in the communities we call home. We meet our mission through education and community partnerships at the local level. From Sioux Falls to Rapid City, Equality South Dakota members and supporters are on the frontlines of pushing equality forward in the state.

Basic Rights Oregon works fearlessly and tirelessly to build a strong, vibrant, powerful, and progressive movement for LGBTQ equality. LGBTQ Oregonians exist in every community, and we understand that we have to engage in strategic, values-based coalitions to address the many needs of our communities. As such, building alliances with progressive groups that advocate for working families, racial justice, immigrant rights, reproductive justice, and campaign reform will be essential to winning policies that meet the varied needs of our diverse community.

Radiant Hands Inc. is a nonprofit organization originally established to serve North Central Florida. Radiant Hands Inc. fills a niche in the community assisting those who normally would “fall through the cracks” of normal social service providers. Radiant Hands strives to empower women and families by providing them with spiritual, emotional, educational, and financial support with the goal of helping them to achieve independence in mind. In doing so, we hope to encourage and enable women and families to contribute individually and collectively in strengthening our community as a whole.

Sneha, Inc. is a Connecticut-based network for women of South Asian origin and their families. We work to support and empower women, particularly survivors of domestic violence. Sneha also assists in acculturation situations that arise from lack of traditional family support and/or unfamiliarity with United States laws and resources.

SAHARA serves survivors of all forms of abuse within the South Asian community in Southern California with culturally sensitive and linguistically specific services.

 SEMAH  stands for the principles of Safety, Education, Mutual Respect, Awareness and Hope. We believe that these principles are crucial towards building healthy relationships with oneself, between individuals, families and communities. Our mission is the promotion of healthier relationships and prevention of domestic violence through education and awareness of options. We want to be a conduit for resources to empower and enable victims and perpetrators to finally find a way out of the vicious circle of abuse. We will work with communities not well served with a special focus on the Muslim and inter-faith communities.

Maitri primarily helps individuals & families from South Asia facing domestic violence, emotional abuse, cultural alienation, human trafficking or family conflict. Maitri is non-discriminatory in its services with respect to gender, race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation and all classifications protected by applicable state or federal discrimination laws.

Contact Us — Maitri

Domestic violence advocacy, translation services, transportation, immediate financial assistance for emergency situations, legal resources including shelter connection, culture specific needs and helping South Asians navigate through the system; cultural competency training; advocacy training; community outreach.