Luna Ranjit leads the NY-based nonprofit, Adhikaar for Human Rights, a direct services and social justice advocacy group serving Nepali-speaking communities. Started in the basement of Luna’s home, Adhikaar has expanded to a community center that provides legal consultations, language classes, rights trainings six days a week, and provides a safe space for community members of all ages. Born and raised in Nepal, Luna lives in Jackson Heights, Queens, with her husband. She just completed the New York City half marathon.
SAMHAJ, meaning “understanding”, dispels the stigma of mental health among South Asian communities. By providing support, resources, illness management information and education to gatekeepers including school leaders, care providers and law enforcement officers, SAMHAJ has played a key role in strengthening the South Asian community, empowering those with mental illness and their family members. SAMHAJ is located in New Jersey.
Prerna Lal wears many hats. She is a law student at The George Washington University, a member of the Board of Directors of Immigration Equality, a prominent human rights blogger at Change.org, and co-founder of DreamActivist. Prerna has created an online youth movement supporting the DREAM Act. Prerna’s work has been instrumental in the movement to demand fair and equal treatment for undocumented immigrants, especially students who would benefit from the passage of the DREAM Act.