Anekant Community Center (ACC) has its roots in Southern California and works hard for the improvement of the health of its members and residents of Southern California and also perform various humanitarian tasks. ACC has been established as a non-profit, non-religious organization in January, 2005 to pursue these goals. ACC received an official status as a non-profit organization on July 14, 2005, exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service code.
The goal of ACC is to provide charitable education, culture, training, economic development activities ( employment and job linkages ) health education and, prevention services to not only adults and children but also to senior citizens of Southern California. ACC”s activities will be handled by the Board Of Directors (Volunteers) until funds are raised to pay qualified staff. We plan to evolve into a multi service, multi-ethnic community resource center for Southern California. ACC is a community public benefit organization. The proposed activities will further our efforts by bridging the gap in health access, education and training to the minority and disadvantaged in Southern California. We are committed in dedicating our time and resource to these proposed activities. Currently, our activities are funded by donations from individuals in the community and volunteer board members. We hope to build enough of an infrastructure to support these activities of the organization.
Following are some of the activities undertaken by ACC:
Health – Locally
1. ACC joined with Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) in 2005 in organizing JCSC”s ongoing annual health fair for the community in Southern California, where many popular medical screenings are offered. This has benefited over 5,000 people.
2. The Anaheim Health Fair was started in 2007 with the City of Anaheim and GBS Linens. We had one of the biggest one day annual health fair during 2012 where more than 1100 people visited this fair. For the first time also in 2012 Free Surgeries were also performed on 45 low income people at West Anaheim Medical Center. We have expanded to include even free onsite dental procedures like teeth extractions, fillings, cleaning, etc. and Free Eye Prescription Glasses.We have covered over 8,800 patients so far, making this as the biggest annual Health Fair.
3. Free community health fairs for many other local community including Jain, Zoarastrian, Bangladeshi, Viatnamese, Biddhists etc. – 31 health fairs impacting over 7500 people
Health Education
ACC has conducted educational seminars on topics like various topics like Depression, Diabetes, Heart diseases and Hypertension, Stroke etc. Over 900 people have benefited.
Cultural Activities:
ACC organized a variety of Cultural activities, some of which are:
1. East meets West – attended by 700 people
2. Ustad Nishat Khan sitar concert – attended by over 500 people
3. Manipuri dance concert by Padmashree Darshna Zaveri – attended by over 400 peope
4. Antakshri for the community – attended by over 400 people
5. Gujarati Hasya Kavi Sammelan – attended by over 650 people
6. 10th Anniversary celebration – attended by over 700 people
Tender Care Community Outreach Program (TCCOP):
Tender Care Community Outreach Program (TCCOP) of ACC was started in 2008 to help needy in Southern California. A network of volunteers provide support and referral services for people facing tremendous challenges. Some of the various projects TCCOP does are below:
1. Monthly dinner to homeless at Church – since July 2008 – 22,800 served
2. Weekly Breakfast to homeless – 100 per week since May 2008 – 46,400
3. Tutoring students – 130 per year since 2012 – 650
4. Groceries and other help to needy families and also in shelters – 60 families
5. Backpack program providing a pallet of food to students with Charity Giving Children Hope- 400 per month for three years – 14,400. Donated 1500 Backpacks to Giving Children Hope Foundation for under privilege students in 2016-2017. Introduced JCYC students to fill backpacks for under privilege students on weekends in 2015-2016.
6. Christmas wish to students and seniors – 280/year for 2 years – 560
7. Valadez middle school support – School supplies for 255 students, food donations to McKinney Vento pantry, 60 food baskets to for families from Valdez School, 100 Blankets to Valdez School and homeless in Santa Ana, 25 iPads, Laptop to 2, eye glasses etc. for 3 years 10 Chrome Books, Provided 102 Sweat Shirts in 2012, sent 60 students to Spring Cultural show at Cal State Fullerton in 2014-2015, 25 gift cards for Payless shoes store, 25 pairs of shoes in November 2014, first aid kit and earthquake kit to the School , 100 Backpacks and Dinner experience for 20 students,etc.
8. Orange County Mission – coffee, creamer, sugar etc. for 300homeless every month since March 2017-total 900
9. Midnight Mission – 160 sandwiches once every month (October to December 2016) for three months & then once per week since 1/1/2017 – total of 2400
9. Visiting sick patients in nursing home, hospitals, home etc. – 50
10, Held seminars to prepare students prepare their resume and how to interview in 2009-2010 at the Jain Center.
11. Helped homeless family for their immediate needs and stay at the hotels, 1 student bus pass in 2016 thru Giving Children Hope.
Nalin Shah Cancer Fund
Nalin Shah Cancer Fund under ACC was setup in 2008 in memory of Nalin Mukundray Shah’s family and friends to spread Cancer Awareness education and prevention and early detection.
A. In USA
1. Organized cancer awareness seminars at JCSC with the help of American Cancer Society and Orange County Health Authority – served 50
2. Workshops for training of self-examination for early between detection of breast lump – served 38
3. Arranged lectures on cancer symptoms detection at JCSC by cancer specialists
B. In India
4. Sponsored early detection of cancer camps in association with Tata memorial hospital, Mumbai – 11 camps serving 800
5. Sponsored a medical student from USA to study cervical cancer test at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai in 2011
6. Sponsored cancer detection camp in May 2017 at Morbi in association with Gujarat Cancer Society
Help with Natural Disasters
ACC members have always supported in organizing, fund raising and even travelling to the affected areas.
1. Kashmir earthquake – 2005
2. Haiti Earthquake – 2010
3. Philipines Tycoon – 2013
4. Nepal Earthquake – 2015
5. Haiti Hurricane – 2016
6. New Orleans Floods and others
Matching Funds and Grants:
ACC has received matching contributions from Companies like Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and Verizon, as well as Grants from Southern California Edison. They have also received donations from Tarsadia Foundation, Agarwal Family Foundation, Sarva Mangal Family Charitable Trust and many other Organizations and individuals.
Health – International:
In 2007 ACC started a Three day annual surgical Camps at Vyara, India with Tarsadia Foundation to operate on patients who have hernia and hydrocele. More than 1000 patients have been operated upon so far in 7 years and it was recorded in 2012 in Limca Book Of Records of India.
ACC has put on many Community health fairs locally and Internationally in India, Zambia, Malawi, and South Africa. Some of the details are below:
A. Zambia 1. Six missions since 2007. Have seen around 1600 patients and have done 370 operations for orthopedic, urology, p districts, dental and gynecological conditions. 2. We have also sent three consignment of medical equipment& supplies and clothing of 600 lbs, 1000 lbs and last one a full container of 43,000 Lbs.
B. South Africa – four missions between 2010 & 2012 for ENT and Eye care. Show total of 1154 patients and performed 14 ear, nose and throat operations and 774 cataract surgeries.
C. Haiti – one mission with JAINA in 2010 after the earthquake. Show pediatrics, eye care and anesthesia for surgical procedures – over 200 patients seen and about 35 operations.
D. Fiji – one mission – show orthopedic patients and did family therapy sessions – show over 150 patients and performed about 15 orthopedic procedures.
E. Malawi – one mission with ENT surgeon, show about 250 patients and did 44 operations.
F. Kenya – Two missions with Urology, orthopedics, uro-gynecologist, general surgeon, and Ophthalmology. Show 536 patients and did 301 surgeries.
G. Nepal – visit after earthquake. The purpose was to explore how can we help? A visit was made to the Kathmandu University hospital and Siddhi Memorial Hospital about establishing a Rehab center of Shree Bidada Sarvodaya Trust. It did bring results and now there is a rehab center there.
H. Jamaica – Three missions – cataract surgeries and dermatology. Show 789 patients and did 709 cataract surgeries.
I. India –
1. Vyara – Annually since 2007 (Twelve missions) dental and surgery. Seen 2960 and helps 264 with dental procedures while 1672 patients have been operated for variety of surgical procedures like hernia, hydro else, hysterectomy etc.
2. Rajpipla – Four missions 3857 people, 390 eye glasses in 2017
3. Bangluru – Two missions – 2295 patients, 55 surgeries
4. Manibeli – One mission, 411 people, 245 glasses given
5. Mahuva – One mission 701 people, 395 eye glasses
6. Valiya – Two missions – 1240 people, 390 eye glasses in 2017
7. Maroli – Three missions – 1380 people, 405 eye glasses in 2017
8. Bardoli – Two missions – 925 people, 45 surgeries
9. Bhavnagar – Two missions – 214 people, 25 procedures
10. Dhandhuka – Two missions – 1400 people, 20 surgeries
11. Shimla – Two missions – 80 patients, 22 surgeries
12. Surat – Two missions – 295 patients, 47 surgeries and 145 cataracts
Total people helped: 134,465
National – 113,140 (Personal, Cultural and Medical)
International – 21,325 (Medical & 4557 Life changing Surgeries)