Completed Projects from Our First-Ever SSA Seva Grant

January 26, 2026 (Nationwide) – This past year, the Sikh Coalition was excited to launch and complete our first-ever Sikh Student Association (SSA) Sangat Seva Grant. As part of our ongoing efforts to help develop youth leadership among our community, the inaugural grant cycle supported five SSA chapters in fostering Sikh awareness and leadership on college campuses nationwide.

Below are highlights of the projects undertaken by the selected SSA Chapters:

• The Columbia SSA hosted health seva trainings for gurdwara clinics, a community health clinic in a gurdwara in Queens, a langar service in Manhattan (paired with partners providing health services), a gurdwara visit for Guru Nanak’s Gurpurab, a joint Bandi Chhor Diwas celebration, and more.

• The Cornell SSA organized a four-day Sikh Awareness Week aimed at increasing campus-wide understanding of Sikh identity and values. Events included a Kirtan Night, a Seva Night, an educational tabling event, and a Langar Night.

• The Michigan State SSA held a Kirtan night, providing both spiritual enrichment and an opportunity for the members and attendees to learn more deeply about the significance of kirtan within Sikh tradition.

• The UC Davis SSA led a Sikh Awareness Week, in collaboration with 10 other SSAs across the country. They hosted four events aimed to introduce Sikhi through discussion, spirituality, education, and seva, with a focus on accessibility to students from all backgrounds. The associated evening seva event brought together students to assemble care packages and distribute them to the community in downtown Davis.

• And finally, the UC Riverside SSA collaborated in the Sikh Awareness Week hosted by the UC Davis SSA, participating in a music night in collaboration with a broader South Asian organization on campus, a seva night where attendees made 50 care packages for a women’s shelter, and a tabling event with an interactive game for attendees to learn more about Sikhi.

Thank you to each of the SSAs for their thoughtful partnership and programming. Throughout this week, watch the Sikh Coalition’s social media channels for images from many of these outstanding events! As the Sikh Coalition embarks on its 25th year, we look forward to more opportunities to engage with our Sikh youth and support them in their efforts. More information about the 2026 Seva Grant Cycle will be shared in the months to come.

As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.