Universal Metro Asian Services
Metropolitan Asian Family Services
January 2021
Covid-19 Tests Completed Successfully!
We are very happy to announce that the Covid-19 tests were successfully conducted at our locations in collaboration with Midwest Clinical Services, LLC during the Month January. It was conducted Monday through Friday 10:00am - 3:00pm. An average of 35 people were tested per day. We thank the Midwest Clinical Services, our staff and the participants for helping us carry out this event effectively!
Register to get vaccinated for COVID-19 vaccine.
For cook county residents please call 833.308.1988
We are excited to announce the successful commencement of THE Hindi Classes with more than anticipated new students - both children and adults, who are eager to learn OUR NATIONAL LANGUAGE - Hindi.
Due to the Pandemic, like other programs, Metropolitan Asian Family Services’(MAFS) Adult literacy classes for seniors are also being conducted virtually via zoom. Senior students from Roselle, Naperville, and Niles location get together virtually along with their volunteer tutors, 2 days a week to study Math and English and improve their basic literacy skills.
MAFS is proud of its seniors who continue to display their zeal for learning despite the pandemic! (MAFS) is running Adult Literacy Program for many years to meet the need of our community seniors. But for the last three years, it is funded by the Illinois Secretary of State. MAFS’ goal is to serve the pre-literate elders from India and its subcontinents. Many of these elders have not had an opportunity to go to school to study, due to limited mobility, infrastructure, and most of all lack of educational institutions.
Elder literacy initiative was brought to honor their dedication to learning, by developing a curriculum specifically for low-literate elders. We are running this program from three locations, Chicago, Niles and Naperville. At present, we have registered 50-60 elder students. Twenty-five volunteer Tutors teach the elder students.
This program has undoubtedly helped the seniors improve their English learning skills. This program has simplified their day to day living by helping them manage their banking needs by reading, understanding, writing and signing their own forms. They can communicate on the telephone with ease! They are now able to communicate with their grandchildren effortlessly. They can now count currency therefore helping them to shop and be independent. They can understand and watch regular TV programs.
If you are interested in enrolling in this program, please feel free to call us at 800-866-8627 for further information.
Seniors Celebrated the New Year with a Fervour!
2020 was a year full of unexpected challenges, hardships, and stress because of COVID - 19 Pandemic. This year’s UMAS SCHAUMBURG ADS virtual celebration on 5th Jan 2021 was much more than the first day of the new calendar year; it marked the beginning of a year with positive health changes and hope for brighter days ahead...
The virtual event joined by forty plus seniors dressed in their fineries commenced with group prayer for betterment of the world. We followed it by seniors writing down the things they’re ready to let go and coming up with positive intentions for the coming year. Also, all seniors had jovial time drawing a picture with eyes closed and sharing with each other hilarious outcome. The event was further enhanced by Mr. Kalpesh Patel, a professional singer joining and entertaining everyone with his euphonious singing. We thank Mr. Patel for his valuable time. Participants further enjoyed dancing along with ADS staff from the comfort of their home. It was very satisfying to se seniors having a good time. Finally, the event was highlighted with Mrs. Santosh Kumar joining the meet and sharing her valuable thoughts and wishes for the New Year. The two hour celebration ended on a very happy note indeed!
Seniors safely coping with the Pandemic!
Congratulations to Mrs. Kumar on Accepting the Presidency of the Gandhi Memorial Foundation!
Dr. (Mrs) Santosh Kumar inducted as the President of the Gandhi Memorial Foundation Chicago on the Jan 28th, 2021. Others inducted were Dr. Vijay Prabhakar and Dr. Sriram Sonty as Vice-President, Mr. Suresh Bodiwala as the Chairman. A proud moment for the passionate believers of Mahatma Gandhi to serve his purpose through the Gandhi Memorial Foundation Chicago!
Homage to Mahatma Gandhi in Chicago!
On Jan 30th, 2021, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Chicago paid homage to our beloved leader Mahatma Gandhiji. It was Gandhiji’s 73rd Anniversary. It was held at The Gandhi Statue, Heritage Park, McCormick Blvd., Skokie, IL 60076 (Between Dempster and Church Street). Despite the cold weather in Chicago, the ardent followers of Gandhiji gathered to pay homage to The Father of the Nation! Honorable Shri Amit Kumar, Consul General of India at Chicago was the Chief Guest. Dr. Santosh Kumar-President, Dr. Vijay Prabhakar -Vice President, Dr. Sriram Sonty – Vice President, Dr. C. M. Modi Founder of the Gandhi Memorial along with Community leaders Sohan Joshi - Trustee FIA-Chicago, Dr. Suresh Reddy - AAPI Past President, Chandni Divvuri - Chairperson-Nari Global Foundation, Palatine was present. Our Staff-Seniors also participated in the event without paying heed to the cold winter morning in Chicago!
The homage ceremonies opened with garlanding of Gandhi's Statue which was an enormous job done by UMAS driver, Mr. Lagidhirsinh Chudasama (Darbar) who did a tremendous job of laying the garland on the towering statue of Gandhij. Suresh Bodiwala, Chairman of Gandhi Memorial Foundation, Chicago welcomed the guests and announced the new officers of the Board of Directors: Suresh Bodiwala, Chairman, Dr. Mrs. Santosh Kumar-President, Dr. Sriram Sonty & Dr. Vijay G Prabhakar - Vice Presidents and Mrs. Bharti Desai - Treasurer. India's Consul General at Chicago Mr. Amit Kumarji administered the Oath of Office to the new Board of Directors of Gandhi Memorial Foundation, Chicago headed by Dr. Mrs. Santosh Kumar.
Dr. Mrs. Santosh Kumar in her presidential remarks said,"I am honored to be part of this noble institution, the Gandhi Memorial Foundation, Chicago . With all humility, I accept this great responsibility as your President. Mahatma Gandhiji inspired me as a teenager to choose Law as my career rather than being a physician for what I studied for. GandhiJi ‘s freedom struggle and the injustice done to our motherland inspired me to become an Attorney to fight for the oppressed. Gandhi ji’s words: “Be the Change” is the words of reckoning that still guide me every step of the way and is relevant even today in this digital age. Our Consul General Amit Kumar and his wife Mrs. Surabhi Kumar are very God Fearing, and Simple people called to serve with a smile. We look forward to seeking his guidance as our new Board build on the legacies of our past presidents and boards in realizing Gandhiji vision in our daily lives. I am fortunate to have three very creative, energetic, and dedicated leaders: Dr. Sriram Sonty, Dr. Vijay Prabhakar, Mrs. Bharathi Desai to join me on the new Board with our Chairman Bodiwala. Today we seek Mahatma Gandhiji’s blessings in all our endeavors as we strive to incorporate Gandhiji ideals into our everyday lives by embarking on life transforming projects that can make a difference in our lives and in the lives of our communities, she added".
Dr. Vijay G. Prabhakar was The Master of Ceremonies who as usual did an commendable job. Consul General Amit Kumar honored Dr. C.M. Modi and his wife Mrs. Dina Modi with a silk shawl. Mrs. Surabhi Kumar presented the Metropolitan Asian Family Services’ Gandhi Global Icon Medallion to Dr. C.M. Modi for all his efforts in nurturing the Gandhi Memorial Foundation, Chicago. Ms. Nisha Modi daughter of the Gandhi Memorial Founder Dr. C.M. Modi acknowledged the honor bestowed on her parents at the event.
The book on Dr. (Mrs) Santosh Kumar, "Lasting Legacy of Gandhiji -Ma Santosh Kumar” was released by Consul General Amit Kumar and the first copy was presented to Dr. Sriram Sonty.
We thank the U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy for sending his message for the occasion. In his message he reminded us of a Gandhi quote," It is not just words. Action expresses priorities." He mentioned, Americans for generations to come can learn from Gandhi 's example as we strive to create a more perfect Union. A Union that shuns violence and promote civil rights, equality, and liberty for all its people.
Smitesh Shah, Universal Metro Asian Services (UMAS) Community Care Program – Coordinator along with the other guests, paid glowing tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion. Gandhi's favorite songs were sung by the MAFS Senior Chorale Group led by Anthony Rathod, Urvashi Bhatt, Himali Bharucha, Promila Mehta and Pankaj Patel while floral tributes were placed at the Gandhi Statute.
Ms. Bharti Desai, Treasurer of Gandhi Memorial Foundation, Chicago proposed a vote of thanks. The mini publication about greatness of Gandhiji designed by Dr. Santosh was distributed to all. UMAS/MAFS served delicious snacks and tea to all who attended the event to pay Homage to our Dear FATHER OF THE NATION, GANDHI JI.
