Running, Volunteering, Giving: The Houston Marathon Model for Sewa
Mahesh Bhat- SELF Lead, Houston
Replicating the Houston Marathon Model across Sewa Chapters: The Houston chapter has built a successful three-pronged engagement model with the Chevron Houston Marathon:
Volunteering: 100+ volunteers annually at key race stations (over 4 years) Runners (SELF/Sewa Runners): ~140 participants in half and full marathons Fundraising: RFAR charity partner, raising approximately $20K in year two This model has created a strong platform for engagement across volunteering, running, and fundraising, while strengthening
Sewa’s visibility in the community.
Why this matters for other chapters:
Creates strong community impact and visibility for Sewa; promotes volunteerism, especially among youth; expands local volunteer and supporter networks; enables participation in marathon charity programs (RFAR-like models)
Scalability opportunity:
Most major marathons require volunteers, have structured charity programs, and attract a large base of runners, including the Indian diaspora. This makes the model highly replicable across cities with active Sewa presence.
Recommended next steps:
Target key cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas Leverage the Houston chapter’s playbook and guidance to accelerate adoption across chapters
From Volunteers to Leaders: A Mentorship-Driven Model
Kavita Tewary- Executive Director, Houston
Sewa International has launched a more comprehensive and community-centric volunteer engagement initiative designed to meet volunteers where they are and build deeper, more meaningful connections. The city has been thoughtfully divided into multiple sectors, enabling a localized approach to engagement. Rather than relying on centralized outreach, the organization is hosting sector-level meetings to connect with volunteers within their own communities, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and accessibility.
At the heart of this initiative is a structured, mentorship-driven model. Outreach begins with curated calling lists, where experienced volunteers connect with new prospects. Each caller takes on the role of a mentor, guiding new volunteers through their initial journey, helping them understand the organization’s mission, and integrating them into ongoing activities. This one-on-one engagement creates a personalized experience that goes beyond traditional volunteer onboarding.
Over time, this approach is designed to nurture volunteers into active contributors and eventually core members of the organization. As they grow in confidence and commitment, these volunteers begin to take on greater responsibilities and, in turn, become mentors themselves—creating a virtuous cycle of leadership development and community building.
This model shifts the focus from transactional participation to long-term relationship building. By investing in mentorship and localized engagement, Sewa International is creating a self-sustaining ecosystem where volunteers feel valued, supported, and empowered. The result is stronger engagement, higher retention, and greater “stickiness,” ensuring that volunteers remain connected to the mission and continue to contribute meaningfully over time.
Hurricane Beryl Long-Term Recovery: Rebuilding Strength, Restoring Hope
Rashmi Singh- Diasaster Response and Recovery Coordinator
We are working under the ARC Hurricane Beryl long-term recovery grant to restore communities through critical infrastructure repair, including 80–90 greenhouses, 30 water wells, and home rehabilitation efforts. To date, we have repaired 16 homes and plan to complete close to 30 home repairs. Over 100 volunteers and 10 contractors have been engaged to deliver this large-scale recovery effort.
During Month 5, we continued steady progress toward our proposed outcomes. In home repair activities, we carried out advanced critical repairs including roofing, flooring, insulation, and window restoration. Two contractors completed repairs on 6 homes this month, including 3 mobile homes, which required additional time and resources. An additional 10 homes have been inspected and are scheduled for upcoming repairs. These interventions are significantly improving safety and living conditions for vulnerable families who previously fell through assistance gaps.
In water system restoration, we have inspected, repaired, and tested 21 wells for water quality. Work has also begun on installing water softener systems in 10 homes. Beneficiaries have expressed strong appreciation, with several experiencing softened water for the first time, marking a meaningful improvement in daily living conditions.
In greenhouse reconstruction, efforts continue to restore agricultural livelihoods. Hardware materials have been distributed to approximately 74 clients, and framing has been completed for 40 greenhouses, all of which are now fully covered with protective plastic.
This integrated recovery effort reflects both urgency and long-term commitment— rebuilding homes, restoring water access, and reviving livelihoods through coordinated volunteer and contractor support.
