Richmond Hill organization to be feted

United Sikhs (US), a community organization in Richmond Hill, will be honored as one of twelve recipients of the Union Square Award on Friday, December 8. 
The award carries a $50,000 grant to the organization and recognizes exceptional efforts to address critical social issues facing New Yorkers.  
&#8220Despite minimal resources, organizations that receive the award are improving peoples' lives and making extraordinary contributions to local neighborhoods and to the educational, economic and cultural life of New York City,” says Executive Director Iris Morales. 
Co-founded by Hardayal Singh and Mankanwal Singh in 1997, US operates a community center that provides social, educational, legal, and health services for the area's immigrant communities. 
US works to combat racial prejudice and economic injustice faced by the Sikh community in the workplace, at school and on the streets. By providing civic, educational and personal development, US fosters active participation in social and economic activity.
Since 9/11, the organization has also worked to build awareness and address public misperceptions about the Sikh community and culture. 
US joins 142 organizations that have received the honor since the awards program was founded in 1998. As of today, the Union Square Awards has granted more than $9.5 million to organizations that have not yet received either substantial funding or public accolade.
Named after the park on 14th Street where New Yorkers have organized and spoken out about major social issues since the 19th Century, the Union Square Awards program was created to recognize and encourage initiative in serving New York City communities. They realize an anonymous donor's dream of honoring New Yorkers who have taken action to improve people's lives and advocate for social change.
For more information and a complete listing of this year's award recipients, visit www.unionsquareawards.org.