Community Outreach

Prabashi Association of Greater Portland: Bringing the Bengali Community Together

At Prabashi Association of Greater Portland, we are dedicated to fostering a sense of unity and solidarity within the Bengali community here in the Greater Portland Area of OR, USA.. Through a variety of cultural, social, and religious events throughout the year, we provide our members with opportunities to stay connected with their heritage while also contributing to the betterment of our local neighborhood. The success of our outreach programs is largely due to the tireless work of our volunteers. In 2024 alone, approximately 70 volunteers contributed over 33,600 hours of service to help run these events and initiatives – that’s equivalent to 3.8 additional full-time employees! Volunteers are the backbone of everything we do, ensuring that we can extend our reach and impact. Whether it’s helping with food preparation, event logistics, or cleanup after our events, each volunteer plays a crucial role in making our programs successful.

Celebrating Religious Festivals: Our “Pujo”

One of our most cherished traditions is the celebration of Durga Puja inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Every year, we bring the community together to celebrate Durga Pujo and Saraswati Pujo with devotion, grandeur, and cultural performances. These events are not just about tradition, but also about creating a space for the Bengali community to come together and celebrate their faith, culture, and unity. The events feature vibrant decorations, rituals, food, music, and performances, making them a highlight of our cultural calendar.

Expanding Outreach: Cultural Programs and Social Services

Beyond religious festivities, we are deeply committed to promoting Bengali culture through a range of events throughout the year. From Rabindra Jayanti to Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year), we organize musical performances, drama productions, poetry recitations, and art exhibitions that showcase the immense talent within our community. These events allow members to stay connected to their roots and introduce younger generations to the beauty of Bengali culture.

Sports Competitions and Outdoor Activities

To encourage fitness and camaraderie, we host various sports competitions and outdoor activities. Whether it’s a friendly cricket or soccer match, badminton tournaments, or a marathon, we provide opportunities for all age groups to participate and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle. These amateur sports events serve as a great way to bond with fellow members while indulging in a bit of competitive fun.

Prabashi’s Table Tennis Tournament brings out the competitive spirit of our patrons, all while promoting good health and well-being.

A glimpse from Prabashi Women’s Badminton Championship 2025, providing a perfect platform to highlight athletic talents and creating a vibrant space for connecting with the community  

Supporting Local and Global Causes

At Prabashi, we are also deeply committed to improving life in and around the Portland area. We actively collaborate with local organizations and participate in initiatives such as:

  • Clothes drives with Transition Projects to support Portland’s most vulnerable residents.
  • Book donations with The Children’s Book Bank to foster literacy through SMART Reading programs.
  • Fundraising for the Oregon Food Bank to help end hunger.
  • Volunteering with Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District to make our community a better place to work and play.

‘Give Drive’ initiative during the #givingtuesday in November 2023

Prabashi Council Members picked up our gardening tools and gloves to partner with THPRD in a park beautification project in December 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prabashi Council Members supported the community by delivering essential food and supplies to elderly individuals. In addition, a mask drive was launched to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being

Additionally, we recognize the importance of staying connected to events back home. When tragedy strikes, we stand together to support just causes. For example, our community was deeply shaken by the brutal attack on a trainee doctor in Kolkata, and we joined the global outcry for justice. In response to the incident, Prabashi organized a candlelight vigil during our inaugural Table Tennis Tournament, as a gesture of solidarity and to support the movement for justice. This was one of the largest global protests ever witnessed, and our Portland community joined in, lending our voices for change. Though we are thousands of miles away from Kolkata, we remain united with the people in our homeland, offering our support through art, protest, and community gatherings.

Unified in grief and strength, the Prabashi community came together to demand justice for the inhuman act of violence on “Abhaya” 

Volunteering Opportunities and Community Engagement

We believe that volunteerism is at the heart of our association’s work. In fact, every council member at Prabashi is committed to finding ways to involve volunteers in their work, creating meaningful opportunities for participation. We welcome volunteers for a variety of roles, including technical support for cultural shows, leading performances, handling logistics for external artists, and managing decorations during our religious events.

If you’re passionate about making a difference in the community, join us! We are always looking for fresh ideas and new ways to engage with our members and the local community. Whether it’s assisting with events, lending a hand during our drives, or participating in any of our outreach programs, your contribution will make a lasting impact.