SALDEF

 

Our Mission & Vision

 

SALDEF is a national Sikh American impact organization focused on building leadership and capacity in the Sikh American community.

Our mission is to empower Sikh Americans by building dialogue, deepening understanding, promoting civic and political participation, and upholding social justice and religious freedom for all Americans.

We are grounded in our values of optimism (chardi kala), humility (nimrata) and service (seva), inspired by the community (sangat) for the benefit of all (sarbat da bhalla).

We envision a United States where Sikh Americans are respected and recognized as a vibrant and integral part of the fabric of this nation and are appreciated for our shared values of service, social justice, and an unshakeable belief in freedom and equality for all.

Our History

 

Founded in 1996, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund SALDEF is the nation''s oldest Sikh American civil rights and educational organization. SALDEF’s mission is to protect the civil rights of Sikh Americans and ensure a fostering environment in the United States. SALDEF empowers Sikh Americans through educational outreach, media relations, leadership development and legal and legislative advocacy.

Our Programs 

 

Some of our cornerstone programs include:

1) SikhLEAD: The purpose of SikhLEAD is to inspire, train, and support a diverse, motivated and entrepreneurial group of young Sikh Americans as they prepare for a lifetime of community engagement and community leadership.

2) SikhVOTE: This is a non-partisan, community-driven initiative to increase voter engagement and registration with in-language resources and materials. By registering to vote and voting Sikh Americans can make their voice heard and help determine the direction of their country.

3) Law Enforcement Partnership Program (LEPP): Started in 1999, the Law Enforcement Partnership Program builds relationships between local communities and law enforcement through educational programs, resources, and events.

4) Know Your Rights: The purpose of the Know Your Rights Forum is to

(1) Introduce Sikh American community members to agencies and groups that can address complaints, incident, or issues, and

(2) Provide local, state and federal government agencies the opportunity to build and maintain relationships with and address the specific needs of their local Sikh American Community.

 

Currently, SALDEF has a staffed national office in Washington, DC, and a network of nationwide volunteers and regional directors. We continue to advocate for the rights of all Sikh Americans through our signature programs, advocacy, research and the media. Visit www.saldef.org to learn more. 

Thank you for supporting our projects here on Dasvandh Network!