Our Mission:
Belong.
Grow.
Thrive.
SAYA aims to foster a strong sense of belonging in youth and provide them with tools to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.
What We Do
Established in 1996, South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) is a youth development organization providing holistic, impactful, free, year-round programming to underserved New York City youth. As one of the first South Asian organizations in the United States, SAYA fills a critical role in the positive development of young people from under-resourced and immigrant communities.
Program Model
SAYA takes a comprehensive approach to youth development - one that believes youth thrive when they have safe spaces to learn, lead, and contribute to their communities.
Sports, Arts, and STEM
From visual arts and dance to basketball and volleyball, SAYA youth thrive in various forms of expression and sports. Wellness takes center stage with yoga and meditation sessions, while STEM enthusiasts delve into coding, robotics, and architectural modeling.
Career Exploration
We expose high school and college youth to a range of professional paths and origin stories, empowering youth to make informed educational choices and set goals for their future.
Networking, a crucial skill, is honed during mixers where our youth connect with professionals, receiving valuable feedback on resumes and cover letters to enhance their candidacy for internships and jobs.
Leadership and Identity Development
We offer empowering leadership programs for high school young women and men. In a culturally affirming space, they cultivate personal and social identities, acquire vital skills for mental and physical well-being, and benefit from valuable mentorship opportunities.
Academic Support and College Access
We support elementary and middle school youth with homework help, integrating academic skill-building into all projects and activities. High school students benefit from personalized tutoring, college advisement, free SAT prep classes, and enriching trips to explore both public and private college options.
Our Impact
SAYA serves a diverse group of youth, hailing from various ethnic and religious backgrounds - many of whom identify as South Asian, or are first- and second- generation immigrant youth of color.
30
years helping youth belong, grow, and thrive
4k+
youth in kindergarten through college served from 2024-2025
100%
of 2025 college access cohort accepted to college
Youth Testimonials
SAYA programming offers great experiences, friends, connection and benefits which will help me...prepare for the future.
Mahmudul (Elmhurst Center)
SAYA programming...helps me with learning how to be an amazing leader. They also...help me learn life skills, [and preparing] us for our future lives. I feel like I've learned a lot, especially...how to communicate with others.
Narissa (High School for Construction Trades, Engineering, and Architecture)
SAYA programming has helped me step out of my comfort zone and allowed me to learn a lot about different perspectives of people in my lives. It has also allowed me to explore a lot of things that I would never think of doing during my free time.
Jessica (Elmhurst Center)
Support Us
SAYA equips students for academic and personal fulfillment and to build skills that will help them thrive as adults.
By partnering with SAYA, you support our work toward education equity by providing opportunities and resources to New York City youth, ensuring they are empowered academically, emotionally, and socially to become engaged community members.
Corporate Partnerships
Contribute with a purpose.
Volunteer Opportunities
SAYA offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, which occur at different times throughout the year.
Make a Donation
Your support of SAYA makes a difference, and is key to advancing our mission.
