Santosh Kumar has always been known take up challenges and selflessly work as a crusader for the downtrodden and oppressed as a tireless spokesperson for those with no voice of their own.
Illinois: Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS), a non-profit organisation, founded by Indian-origin American from Chicago, Illinois, Mrs Santosh Kumar, has completed 30 years of exemplary and extraordinary humanitarian work in the US.
In recognition for its untiring efforts in the service of millions of immigrants from Asia, South Asia, the Indian subcontinent as well as several East European countries, Illinois governor had declared that October 17 be observed as MAFS day across Chicago, Illinois.
To mark the day MAFS had organised a gala event and fundraiser on Saturday, October 8, with a sell-out fashion show at the Waterford Banquet Hall, Elmhurst, Illinois.
India-born (Bharatpur, Rajasthan) US resident living in Illinois, Chicago, US, Santosh Kumar has always been known to take up challenges and selflessly work as a crusader for the downtrodden and oppressed as a tireless spokesperson for those with no voice of their own.
Her legal knowledge and experience of 18 years as a lawyer in India, helped her champion the cause of millions of immigrants. She immediately took higher courses to specialise in immigration laws.
The immigrants she has been working with are mostly from South Asia – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Eastern Europe – all trying to find their feet in a new country, a country they’d hoped would become a promised land for them. But their struggles more often left them disillusioned and lost, unable to cope with the culture shock of a new land.
Since three decades MAFS has been providing integrated services to the immigrant communities facing linguistic and cultural problems through its network of over 10-12 centres in the US and India manned by several thousands of trained specialists, dedicated workers and volunteers.
As time went by, Mrs. Kumar realised that MAFS / UMAS could not provide the needed medical and residential services to the population. So she set out to create ‘Metro Family Clinic’ and ‘Metro Home Health Care’ to deliver high-quality health services in a focused, caring and teaching environment, providing health advocacy to the community.
Her third venture was ‘Metro Senior Living’ a three floor building with elevator to be used by seniors to enjoy their golden years in worry-free environment.
‘Mother Teresa of Chicago’
Mrs. Kumar has bagged many accolades in the United States for serving the community, among these the title of “Mother Teresa of Chicago” stands out as a remarkable achievement
Her long list of achievements includes ‘Award of Excellence’ in 1997, World Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 by American Biographical Institute, USA. In 2007 Indian Community of Niles Township (ICNT) recognisped her for community work and in her honour Illinois Governor has declared October 17th as Metropolitan Asian Family Service Day. In 2010 she earned Pillar of community service award for “Outstanding Service to Older Adults”. She was declared “Mother Teresa of Chicago” and earned community service award by Consul General of Chicago and President of Federation of Aligarh Muslim Alumina (FAMA). In the year 2013, she was presented Outstanding Community Service Award & Educational Impact Award.
For ships and sailors buffeted and tossed around like straw in a storm-tossed ocean, the only hope of survival and the safety of dry land is a faint, flashing beacon of light from a distant lighthouse on the shore.
In much the same way, Santosh Kumar Kulshreshtha serves as a beacon of hope, succour and compassion for millions of immigrants seeking a better life in the US.
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