Detroit is the Motor City — and it’s time for all of us to help rev it up.

Registration is one part of this journey, but equally important is the inflow of donations that will power this mission. Now is the time for us to step in and build that momentum. Detroit is ready — it just needs you.

Early support not only helps us plan better but also strengthens our collective effort to make a lasting difference.

Register today: convention.tnfusa.org

Let’s come together, build the energy, rev things up, and make the Detroit Convention truly special — and truly impactful.

 Mani Periakaruppan
President, Tamil Nadu Foundation USA

The first batch of our “Self-Employed Tailoring Training” program part of an ambitious 10-batch initiative was formally inaugurated on March 14, 2026, marking a meaningful step toward empowering livelihoods. The ceremony was led by Dr. C. Sylendra Babu, I.P.S. (Retd.), Chairman of TNF, and Tmt. R.A. Priyanga, I.A.S., Additional Collector of Cuddalore, in the presence of Dr. Ka. Ilango, Chief Executive Officer of TNF.

Building on this momentum, the second batch with 30 beneficiaries is set to commence in the fourth week of March 2026.

Participants shared heartfelt appreciation to TNF and the Chicago Chapter for this transformative opportunity, expressing strong commitment to leveraging the training to build sustainable and improved livelihoods.

TNF has expanded its commitment to student well-being by launching a nutritional supplement program across 11 schools in multiple districts, supported by TNF USA and generous individual donors. Designed to support students who attend school without breakfast, the initiative has already shown strong results—improving overall health and boosting classroom attendance.

Building on this success, TNF Trustees recommended enhancing the program with higher protein content to deliver even greater nutritional impact. Acting on this, a specially formulated protein-enriched supplement has been introduced on a pilot basis in two schools in Tiruvarur District: Government High School, Maruthavanam, and Government High School, Katchnam.

Launched on March 16, 2026, the enhanced program now benefits 72 students in 6t and 7th grades. The new supplement, enriched with milk powder, provides over 20% protein while reducing carbohydrate content—offering a more balanced and effective nutritional boost.

Early feedback has been highly positive, with students warmly welcoming the improved supplement. While the upgraded formulation comes at a slightly higher cost than the previous version, it represents a meaningful investment in better health, learning outcomes, and long-term student success.

The YOX (Youth Online eXchange) Program, led by dedicated youth LOVES volunteers from the Bay Area, North East Ohio, and Philadelphia, created a meaningful cross-cultural learning experience by connecting online with students from Tamil Nadu.

A group of 14 students from grades 7 through 9 from Government High School, Anavarthikanpet in Ranipet District participated in these engaging sessions held every alternate Saturday from July 26, 2025, to March 7, 2026. The sessions were hosted by youth LOVES volunteers from Bay Area. The program proved to be a truly enriching exchange where students strengthened their English skills, including grammar, pronunciation, sentence formation, and creative writing, under the guidance of the volunteers.

At the same time, the volunteers gained valuable insights as students shared vibrant perspectives on village life in India, along with their culture, festivals, and Tamil language.

To recognize their enthusiasm and commitment, all 14 participants from Government High School, Anavarthikanpet were awarded certificates of participation, celebrating a journey of learning, connection, and cultural exchange.

The Government Observation Home for Boys and Girls in Kellys, Chennai, operates under the Directorate of Children Welfare and Special Services, part of the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.

With generous support from the Dallas Chapter, TNF continues to make a meaningful impact by offering vocational training programs aimed at empowering juveniles in the home. Among these initiatives are weekly sessions in Buddha Art, Lippon Art, and Yarn Art creative platforms that inspire expression and skill development. During this financial year, a sum of ₹1,05,986 was utilized from the project’s corpus fund interest to successfully conduct these trainings.

A study carried out by Social Work postgraduate trainees highlights the powerful impact of these art-based interventions. The findings reveal that such programs significantly enhance emotional well-being and engagement among the juveniles. Participants shared that the sessions provide a valuable outlet for creativity while helping them learn new artistic skills.

Beyond creativity, the training has fostered essential life skills such as focus, patience, and active listening. Encouragingly, it has also sparked interest in exploring future career opportunities, promoting positive engagement and a more hopeful outlook among the juveniles.

During the month, 119 students received scholarships totaling an amount of ₹ 6,29,455/-.

Recognizing its potential, Nithin not only introduced this as a TNF Youth LOVES initiative but also stepped forward to serve as the program’s coordinator and liaison with partners in India. A pilot launched in the summer of 2025 delivered outstanding results, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from both students and volunteers. Building on this success, the program is now ready for a full-scale rollout. Nithin has set an ambitious goal of engaging 100 volunteers and achieving 10,000 volunteer hours over the next 12 months.

Beyond empowering students in Tamil Nadu, the program offers a unique dual benefit for volunteers. While mentoring in English, they often engage in conversations in Tamil, creating a meaningful opportunity to strengthen their own language skills while giving back to the community.

The program is open to anyone aged 14 and above who can commit two hours per week for a minimum of one year, including the summer months.

If this opportunity resonates with you, we invite you to fill out the interest form. Our team will be in touch to help you get started.