Raksha, Inc

Raksha’s Executive Director Aparna Bhattacharyya was on a panel discussion on community trauma and resilience in immigrant and refugee populations at the 30th Rosalyn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum. Hosted by The Carter Center, this forum brings together service providers, policymakers, advocates, and individuals with lived experience from across Georgia to engage in open dialogue on timely and pressing mental health issues.*

“What a gift to be here to celebrate the legacy of Rosalyn Carter and her work to address mental health in our communities. It was such an important opportunity to talk about the needs of South Asian, immigrant and refugee populations,” shared Aparna Bhattacharyya.

The panel addressed systemic needs and gaps: advocacy for youth who need services when cultural stigma, fear and lack of resources become a barrier to parental consent; and the need for integrating mental health services in our schools, faith institutions and community.

Aparna also highlighted the harmful impacts of the current climate - war, hate crimes, the dehumanization of our communities - on collective mental well-being. “We need to find joy in community, connection, and the small things,” she added.

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[In the pics]
1. The panel: Belisa Urbina (Ser Familia), Temple Moore (Refugee Women’s Network), and Dr. Amin Gilani (Alabama Psychiatry), Aashna Panjwani, (The Carter Center), Aparna Bhattacharyya (ED, Raksha Inc).
2. Raksha ED with Board Member Bidisha Sinha.

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*Sources & More Info:
30th Rosalyn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum, The Carter Center (May 19, 2026). https://www.cartercenter.org/events/30th-rosalynn-carter-georgia-mental-health-forum/

Mother's Day may have passed, but our gratitude is still pouring out. On this , we have two updates to share!

A special thank you to WOW (Women for Women), an Atlanta-based circle of friends who come together to make great things happen through health and community. WOW donated 20 gift cards worth $525 for Mother’s Day. A gift card gets groceries, school supplies, a treat for kids, and agency to mothers to decide what their families need most. We appreciate your support, WOW!
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080435542044

Our Mother's Day fundraiser on Pledge raised $5,350 so far. To each donor who gave in honor or memory of a mother in your life: thank you for showing up. For those who may want to support programs that serve mothers year-round - the fundraiser is still open: bit.ly/rakshaformom.

Auburn woman’s death highlights dangers of domestic violence during pregnancy Navneet Kaur was 27 weeks pregnant when she was shot and killed, allegedly by her husband, Charanpreet Singh Walia, during an argument.

We enjoyed bringing our families together for a special Spring picnic and photoshoot.
A huge thank you to the photographer Tonesha (IG: ) for her patience and kindness that shone through a sudden bout of bad weather. She helped our families feel comfortable during their first photoshoots and gave 110% to bring our vision to life.
Grateful for being able to create memories and laughter together!

We extend our sincere thanks to Archith Seshadri of The Arch Way Studios () and Priya Narayanan of Infused Table (a supper club series by .and.spoons) for hosting An Afternoon of Affirmations & Vegan Brunch in March in support of Raksha. What you created was such a beautiful and nourishing space: one that invited people to pause, connect, and reflect on kindness, compassion, and conscious living. We are grateful that all profits were donated to Raksha. Thank you for your generosity, partnership, and for bringing people together in such a heartfelt and purposeful way!

We are excited to share Aligarh Alumni Association of Atlanta presents “NAQAAB” — a brilliantly penned comic thriller that promises an evening filled with suspense, laughter, and unforgettable entertainment.

Featuring the versatile and immensely talented Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the show will take place on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.

A portion of the ticket sale proceeds will benefit Raksha. Thank you Aligarh Alumni Association of Atlanta for your support - we are grateful to be a beneficiary of the proceeds from this lovely event!

Don’t miss this incredible night of theatre and community impact. Buy your tickets today - https://www.sandyspringspac.com/events/detail/naqaab

We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Innova Solutions their generous donation of laptops and monitors to support our clients.

Access to technology can make a meaningful difference for survivors rebuilding their lives, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership, kindness, and commitment to our community. Thank you for helping empower and support those we serve! 💜

While Mother’s Day is often a time of celebration, for many, the day can carry more complicated emotions — parenting without support, struggling to survive, grieving the loss of a mother, or mourning the mother they never had.

Many mothers we serve are navigating abuse, parenting without support, language barriers, and limited access to critical resources — all while continuing to fight for safety, healing, empowerment, and justice.

Join “Honoring Our Mothers and the Mothers Raksha Serves,” a fundraiser dedicated to ensuring we can continue providing the support and safety net survivors depend on. Whatever Mother’s Day might mean for you, this is an opportunity to honor and remember the mothers or mother-like figures in your life while standing in solidarity with the mothers we serve.

Donate here - bit.ly/rakshaformom. Consider donating not just today, but throughout the year — the mothers Raksha serves need support, safety, and resources every day. 💜