Adhikaar

Adhikaar is a women-led community and worker center dedicated to building power, promoting social justice, and securing human rights for the Nepali-speaking immigrant community. Established in 2005 in Queens, the organization serves low-income workers and families descended from Nepal, Bhutan, India, Burma, and Tibet who reside throughout New York City and Northern New Jersey.

The organization combines direct community services with grassroots labor organizing. In the workplace rights sector, Adhikaar provides professional workforce development, including the We Rise Nanny, Newborn, and CPR training curriculum, New York State nail salon licensing courses, and adult ESL literacy classes. The agency also operates dedicated case management services assisting immigrant workers with wage theft claims, labor trafficking recovery, workplace safety standards, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) legal renewals.

Health equity and language justice form essential pillars of the organization's mission. Staff coordinate healthcare access campaigns, connecting uninsured community members with public health insurance, language-concordant medical navigation, and mental wellness circles. In addition, Adhikaar leads statewide and national policy advocacy, organizing nail salon workers and domestic workers to pass landmark labor protection legislation. Community members can access services by visiting the Woodside community center or contacting staff by phone. Supporters can get involved by volunteering for language interpretation, joining advocacy campaigns, or contributing financial donations.