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Ahimsa Youth Organization (AYO) is a non-profit 501(c)(3), charitable and educational organization dedicated to educating and promoting the culture of South Asia to the general public, specifically non-South Asians, and assisting the less fortunate through community service.
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Ahimsa Youth Organization (AYO) was created in March 1997 as a non-profit, charitable and educational organization to promote and educate the culture of South Asia to the general public, specifically non-South Asians, and assist the less fortunate through community service. AYO has two primary goals. First, AYO plans to bridge cultural gaps by educating non-South Asians about the traditions and folklore of South Asia. Second, AYO will involve itself in community service activities to help the less fortunate. | |
| As of today, AYO has helped educate nearly 800 non-South Asians through its cultural programs such as the "Festival of South Asia" at the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Citizens center, the "Festival of India: A Village Bazaar" at the Capital Children's Museum and the Montgomery County International Festival. In addition, AYO has helped feed and clothe nearly 600 homeless individuals in the Washington D.C. area. Presently, AYO is planning several cultural programs and community service projects to educate non-South Asians about the traditions and folklife of South Asia and help the environment, homeless, and less fortunate in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. |  |
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AYO is an non-profit, non-religious, and non-political organization created independently of any educational or religious institution. All AYO activities are conducted in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Members are welcome from any part of the world regardless of gender, ethnic origin, cultural background, religious or political philosophy. High school students, in particular, are encouraged to participate in AYO sponsored activities since it's an excellent opportunity to obtain volunteer service credit. |