Aum was born from Alka Burghav's journey of resilience. It became her mission to give girls the tools she once needed herself. Through education, mentorship, and holistic support, Aum empowers young women to rise above barriers, step into confidence, and create lasting impact in their communities.
What inspired the creation of Aum?
The purpose behind Aum is deeply personal to me. When I came to the US in 1986 I was a single mom, struggled to fit in, and asked myself often, "what am I good at?" There are so many small things that add up to give women confidence, like how to dress for an interview, or how to create a resume, or just being able to buy books or have transportation. Without resources young women are lost in a fog like I was, but I realized that by providing basic resources, guidance and mentorship we can level the playing field. The saying is "Pull yourself up by the bootstraps..but the reality is not everyone has boots."
What is the mission behind Aum?
Our mission is to fuel the potential of girls through education, mentorship, and holistic support, equipping them for economic independence and to drive meaningful change where they live and lead. We provide basic necessities like laptops and calculators or just funds for tuition, books, or everyday expenses for girls who meet a certain criteria. But the real magic of Aum lies in its mentorship. Students are paired with seasoned professionals who offer personalized guidance and support, helping them navigate their educational journeys and career aspirations. It’s about creating a supportive network that empowers students to achieve their goals and break the cycle of poverty. With the combination of financial support and continued mentorship, we aim to significantly improve graduation rates and ensure that our students have the resources and encouragement they need to succeed.
What is one story that stands out to you that has taken place because of AUM?
There are so many amazing stories, but our student Wexing Zhang is a prime example of what we strive for with Aum. After coming to the United States from China at 12 years old, knowing no English she stepped into helping her parents do accounting at their Chinese restaurant..we met her at Lee High School and connected her with her mentor Nicole Slyman. Wexing is currently a senior majoring in Electrical Engineering ABET with a concentration in Chinese and Programming, graduating in May 2026. She says that a major part of her college journey has been mentorship, both providing support and receiving advice. She currently mentors low-income, first generation, first-year students, and underrepresented students in STEM for Yale’s Office of Educational Opportunities. She says, "The support and encouragement that AUM provided inspires me to continue to help lead and guide underrepresented students."
What do you see for the future of Aum?
We are in the planning process of breaking ground on a building with affordable housing for college students equipped with an event/resource center with tutoring, mental health counseling, a fitness center, and a tech lab..basically a holistic solution to college problems open to any under resourced girl in any local college. My hope is that this will be a template for other cities and states to copy to expand to help others.
We also hope to take Aum rising to different schools in the area. This program is piloting at Lee and is available for boys and girls. One Sunday per month we go in and teach classes to empower and inspire confidence for their futures.
How can people get involved in the cause?
People can get involved by volunteering, mentoring, sponsoring or donating. Our annual Bollywood night is October 18th and is our biggest fundraiser. Every sponsorship or ticket purchase helps us give hope to these young ladies to help them solidify their future. Learn more about Bollywood Night at aumfoundation.org