Humble Beginnings
During one of their regular lunchtime walks, three longtime friends—Mr. Harbans Arora, Mr. Mahendra Shah, and Mr. Kumar Chatani—reflected on the growing need for inclusive, supportive spaces tailored specifically to seniors of Indian origin in the Portland area. From that conversation, the vision for a welcoming community was born—one where older adults, whether visiting temporarily or residing permanently, could come together to connect, engage, and thrive.
In 2007, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Mr. Harbans Arora and Mrs. Chitra Arora, ASIO launched its first meet-and-greet gatherings. These early events quickly evolved into monthly, and later bi-monthly, speaker series that sparked growing enthusiasm.
With more time after retirement in 2019, Mr. Arora and Ms. Sunita Garg led the development of ASIO’s initial website, introduced a membership structure, and expanded its activities.
Following his retirement in 2020, Mahendraji took ASIO’s formalization a step further by bringing it under the umbrella of “OVA,” a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization he had established in 2010. In September 2024, OVA was repurposed to serve the interests of ASIO and officially changed its registered name to ASIO, solidifying its foundation and nonprofit status.
As a generous donor of $14,000 to OVA, he ensured the funds were transferred to ASIO to serve as additional funding for its mission and long-term vision.
Parallelly in 2007, recognizing the need for more accessible spaces for visiting seniors—particularly in the Bethany neighborhood—Mr. Narahari, Mr. Choodamani, Mr. Paul and Mr. Krishnamurthyji initiated a local meetup that quickly gained momentum.
Under Mr. Krishnamurthy’s dedicated leadership, these gatherings flourished and eventually became the foundation for the highly successful meetings at the Chinmaya Mission Center (CMC), which at times draw’s over 100 attendees during the peak summer months. Every Wednesday during the spring and summer months, seniors come together to enjoy a fun-filled day of music, singing, bingo, and engaging guest speakers.
In addition, online bingo is held weekly, offering a great way for at-home seniors to stay connected and entertained.
Pre and Post COVID
Thanks to Sunita Garg and the ASIO team’s significant effort, ASIO was able to revive and rebuild post COVID:
- Revived bi-monthly meetings, with engaging speakers and relevant topics
- Launched regular ASIO newsletters
- Secured grant funding to support programs and build momentum
- Introduced weekly yoga classes (over a year; now available on our website)
- Organized book discussions and learning circles
- Initiated ASIO’s first community picnics
These sustained efforts rebuilt connection, consistency, and community!