Our team’s role is to BRIDGE communities together all ages, religions, and demographics. From two small offices located in Bellingham and Ferndale, Kamalla and Tarnjot organize the CKP advocacy/outreach and education programs. Our two-person team and our volunteers serve the homeless, promote interfaith solidarity; build relationships with elected officials; and work with local schools to construct a Sikh-friendly environment for our future generations.
Since the start in 2018, the team has grown from one to two directors
adding 24 local Sikh volunteers. We have developed community partner
relationships, from one to our current twenty-six. The goal of sharing
Chardi Kala Project methods with Sikhs and non-Sikhs will continue
through volunteer development and an expanded community partner database
locally and globally.
We see the Whatcom County CKP program as a model to use as we expand down Western Washington to Oregon. We have chosen this field based on demographic stats we received from the SIKH COALITION; 15,000 to 50,000 Sikhs live in Washington. Locally, most Sikhs live in Renton and Kent, with concentrations in Seattle, Bellevue, Marysville, Bellingham, and Spokane.
From the Sikh Coalition: The FBI released its 2020 annual report on hate crimes in Sept., shows that hate crimes are at their highest since 2008. Although hate crimes are often under reported, the FBI report shows 67 incidents of anti-Sikh hate crimes, up 37 percent from 2019, and hate crime offenses are up 42 percent overall. Hate crimes against Sikh, Hindu, and Arab Americans have only been tracked by the Department of Justice and the FBI since 2015, after years of lobbying by advocates.
Washington State is the 3rd most dangerous place for Sikhs in the USA. In September 2021, a burglar entered, completely ripped apart, and desecrated the Federal Way, WA Gurmat Learning Center, and Gurdwara. Then, at the end of September 2021, a Sikh elder working at a gas station in Lynwood, Wa, was shot and killed. In Dec. 2019, a Sikh Uber driver in Bellingham, WA, was attacked by a client who tried to strangle and kill the Sikh driver while yelling horrible racist slurs at him. Thankfully the driver managed to escape and call the police.
This community NEEDS to be UNDERSTOOD. Through understanding comes TRUST. The outreach programs we produce foster a deeper understanding of the Sikh community. Education stops hate. Connect one non-Sikh with a Sikh every day; goal accomplished. Show young children in pre-schools and elementary schools that they do not need ever to fear turbans; discuss hate with High School and college students; goal accomplished. Welcome the public to partake in Langar, vegetarian community feasting at the local Gurdwaras; do Public Relations for local Sikhs when they do noble civic deeds, goal accomplished. Goal accomplished when Sikh neighbors come to know, appreciate and reach out as allies.
With your donation we will:
- Maintain and expand our programs in Whatcom County,WA
- Expand outreach and community partner program along the Salish Sea-Bellingham to Olympia,WA
- Extend our national, international Interfaith, and Sikh education presence