South Asian Fund For Education Scholarship & Training (SAFEST)

South Asian Fund For Education Scholarship & Training (SAFEST) is a Bangladeshi community organization that provides various social and cultural programs to Bangladeshi, South Asians, and other communities in need. As a non-partisan, not-for-profit, community-driven organization, SAFEST is dedicated to the social advancement of immigrant communities (youth, adults, men, and women), particularly those seeking to integrate more fully into mainstream American society through education.

Activities:

• South Asian Fund for Education Scholarship & Training (SAFEST) seeks to foster civic engagement, participation, and volunteerism among the South Asian community. It provides information and resources to South Asians and the broader public regarding their rights, benefits, and workplace conditions.
• The organization organizes workshops, job seminars, and job training classes to address the needs of those in need. SAFEST leads voter registration drives, educates voters about the importance of voting, and helps them understand candidates’ positions on key issues and agendas.
• SAFEST prioritizes the education and well-being of new immigrants, many of whom are living in poverty. It will provide education, citizenship training, job skills, affordable housing, and guidance to help them succeed in the existing workforce.
• SAFEST actively participates in the bipartisan electoral process to integrate South Asian communities into the political system. It is committed to its youth and inspires them to fight for socio-economic justice and against discrimination. SAFEST aims to transform its youth into leaders who will benefit their communities and future generations.
• Throughout the year, SAFEST undertakes various need-based projects to serve the communities it represents. It collaborates with other socio-economic education-related organizations in the city to advocate for equal opportunity, fairness, and justice. SAFEST continues to strengthen its bonds and ties with other community-based progressive entities within and beyond.

SAFEST Programs:

• Free Basic Level ESL Class
• Citizenship Class
• Cooking Class
• Job Information
• Voter Registration
• Workers’ rights awareness
• Immigrant rights information
• Promote civil participation
• Build youth leadership

Team

CEO: Mazeda Uddin
Program Director: Ferdhousi Khanam