At a gathering in Queens, New York, student advocate and community leader Jaskaran Singh was honored for his years of dedication to youth mentorship, mental health awareness, and community engagement. The event brought together university students, nonprofit representatives, and members of New York's Sikh and interfaith communities to underscore the importance of student empowerment and personal development.
The recognition comes at a time when student mental health challenges are rising nationwide. According to the American College Health Association, more than 76% of college students report experiencing moderate to serious mental distress. Community leaders at the event emphasized that mentorship and positive educational environments are essential in helping students navigate these challenges.
Jaskaran Singh, a graduate of Queensborough Community College and dean's list honoree, has become known in Queens academic and civic circles for his work through mentorship programs, multicultural outreach, and youth advocacy initiatives. Several representatives from Commonpoint, a major New York City nonprofit providing youth education, workforce development, and mental health counseling, attended the event to support their former colleague and reaffirm his commitment to serving students and families.
The gathering included Mr. Gurpreet Singh of Gatka Federation USA, an organization dedicated to teaching the ancient Sikh martial art and principles of discipline, along with student leaders from Queens. During the program, Jaskaran Singh presented citations from a local government official and a United States Senator to two attendees for their community service.
One of the evening's highlights was a presentation by Mr. Myles Parker of the L. Ron Hubbard Foundation, who recognized Jaskaran Singh's commitment to youth and community upliftment with a commemorative 75th Anniversary leatherbound edition of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. The book, authored by L. Ron Hubbard, is an all-time bestseller on the human mind.
The evening concluded with reflections on the importance of individuals who dedicate themselves to uplifting others without seeking recognition—a principle attendees said Jaskaran Singh has embodied through nearly a decade of advocacy. The L. Ron Hubbard Foundation supports humanitarian initiatives focused on mental health awareness, literacy, drug prevention, and intercultural understanding.
