We call our CommUnity to foster Kinship against Hate

We Choose to Unite and Thrive Together!

"‘Why do you waste your time on them?’ 'They don’t belong here.’ 'No matter how much you do, it won’t change anything.’"

Family,

More than hundred hateful comments on the abc6 Channel's Facebook page, were in response to a news story about MY Project USA’s work serving immigrant communities. They may have come from the same people I greet with a smile each morning. What they don’t see are the faces of the young people we serve—youth who, despite these cruel words, still believe that someone will stand with them.

As heartbreaking as these comments are, they also remind us of the same resilience and courage we showed in 2017 when we organized Community Unity Meetings to push back against hate and division.

Once again, we refuse to be afraid or discouraged by ignorance. Instead, we choose to unite and thrive together.

I invite you to join us this Ramadan to foster kinship and strengthen our village as we work to protect and empower the most vulnerable in our community. We are calling on community leaders, elected officials, interfaith partners, and corporate leaders to come together for collaborative, transformative action.

Ramadan is about breaking barriers. It calls for reflection, renewal, and a commitment to justice—values shared across faith traditions. Now, more than ever, we must hold high the flag of Kinship for Youth.

Let's declare that we stand united against hate and division. Your presence is not only a show of support—it is a statement that:

• In the face of fear, we choose courage.
• In the presence of hate, we choose love.
• In a time of division, we choose CommUnity and Kinship.

In this time of chaos in the government, MY Project USA's grants funding is up in the air this year. Please support us financially the most you can to support the youth and families served by MY Project USA.

To my Muslim family,

These children in your own backyard deserve your attention now more than ever. MY Project USA fits 6 out of 8 criteria of zakat. Zakat given to MY Project USA is guaranteed to be used where you want it. It's guaranteed and you see the results right in front of your eyes. Don't hold it back.

This newsletter has various other ways for you to show your support and presence. Choose whatever you can as much as you can.

In Solidarity with Youth & Families,
Zerqa Abid
Executive Director, MY Project USA

MYPUSA: Your One Stop Ramadan Charity Shop!

Give Zakat for LOCAL Muslim Youth

MY Project USA supports hundreds of Muslim families in Columbus, OH, with an average annual income of $6,000 and many with 6-8 children. By supporting us, you help rescue at-risk Muslim youth by providing safe spaces, mentorship, and educational opportunities. Your zakat will be invested ONLY in zakat-eligible initiatives for zakat-eligible individuals, including, but not limited to:

1. Providing food through MY Family Pantry & Soup Kitchen.
2. Paying Cost Of Living: Rent, utilities, debts or other necessary charges/cost of living for Muslim families
3. Tuition and academic cost for Muslim youth
4. Workforce development, job training of Muslim individuals for Muslim youth and adults

MY Iftar Kitchen Served 700 Meals in 6 Days! 

Thanks to our generous donors and volunteers, MY Iftar Kitchen has provided over 700 meals in the first 6 days of Ramadan! We are humbled to serve our community members in need and deeply appreciate all the wonderful individuals who have joined us in this effort.

Our goal this Ramadan is to provide 100-125 meals daily, and we are thrilled to say we’ve been able to meet that goal so far!

Let’s keep the momentum going! Please consider signing up to cook, pack, or distribute food. You can also donate to have food catered through MY Community Cafe. Together, we can continue to earn immense rewards by feeding the less fortunate this Ramadan.

Thank you for your continued support! 💚

Zakat ul Fitr Goal: Groceries for 300 Families!

Help us provide Zakat ul Fitr groceries to 300 families this Ramadan! Zakat ul Fitr is a required charity before Eid prayers, estimated at $15 per person this year. Food will be distributed on March 28th. Our deadline to collect Zakatul Fitr is March 26 or reaching our goal of $9000.

Your Zakat Transcends Charity—It’s a Lifeline.

This Eid, Let's Celebrate Our Youth with MY Project USA!

This year, MY Project USA is shifting focus from our usual toy drive to celebrating the incredible kids in our programs. These hardworking, motivated, and driven youth come from challenging circumstances, and we are so proud to mentor and guide them. In past years, they’ve helped organize toy drives for other children in their neighborhoods, and this Eid, we want to reward them for all their dedication and hard work.

Making Eid special is key to preserving their Islamic identity and fostering their love for their faith. To do this, we will be giving each child a gift at our Eid party at the end of the month.

Please help make this Eid unforgettable by purchasing a gift from our Eid Toys wishlist or donating toward the toy drive so we can purchase a gift on your behalf. Thank you for supporting and celebrating our youth!

Support Our Neighbors at MY Project USA’s Warming Center

Every day, MY Project USA’s Warming Center provides shelter, warmth, and hope to those in need. Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to serve over 160 meals daily to individuals facing homelessness. But we need your help to continue making a difference.

How You Can Help:

• Meal Donations: Help provide meals for our guests. Your generosity ensures they’re nourished and reminded they’re not forgotten.
• Monetary Donations: Contribute to MY Community Cafe, which caters daily meals to our warming center guests.
• Snack Bags: Purchase items from our Amazon Wishlist to provide essential snacks for guests throughout the day.

Every donation, big or small, shows our guests they matter. Let’s come together to provide care, compassion, and community for those who need it most.

Thank you for being the heart of our mission!

MY Deah's Warehouse:

12 Locations In Columbus To Drop Off Donations Of New & Gently Used Cloths & Shoes

Truck Pick-Up Available For Large Donations