One Book, One Philadelphia and South Asian Americans For Change present Stories Between Us: Creativity, Identity, and Belonging
Presented by South Asian Americans for Change (SAAFC), a Philadelphia-based nonprofit focused on breaking mental health stigma and building community through art, storytelling, education, and conversation.
Inspired by Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng, this interactive workshop invites participants to explore identity, belonging, family, and intergenerational connection through storytelling, discussion, and collaborative art-making.
Facilitated by Sukanya Kumar (SAAFC Special Events & Art Team) and Nidhi Alur (SAAFC Education Team, mental health professional), the session will blend guided conversation with creative activities including poetry, collage, drawing, reflection prompts, and community storytelling. Participants will contribute to a collective visual display inspired by shared experiences and themes from the novel.
Designed to be welcoming and accessible to all artistic backgrounds, the program creates space for reflection, connection, and community dialogue through creativity and shared storytelling.
About SAAFC: South Asian Americans for Change (SAAFC) is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2022 to break the stigma around mental health in the South Asian community. Through art, education, and community connection, we create culturally grounded spaces where South Asians feel seen, heard, and supported. In just a few years, we have engaged over 1,500 attendees across 35+ events and grown a digital community of approximately 25,000 followers. Our work spans storytelling and education, from showcasing 150+ original artworks to producing a docuseries with 15,000+ views per episode and launching the Desi Doubts podcast, which ranked in the top 25 percent of podcasts in its first season. In April 2025 and 2026, we hosted our Healing Through Art Summit and Gala, bringing together 300+ attendees nationwide for immersive experiences rooted in wellness, storytelling, and cultural connection. At our core, SAAFC is building a future where mental health is openly discussed, culturally understood, and collectively supported, where every voice matters and every person belongs.
