MY Project USA in the News:

"I think what Zerqa's done here is absolutely amazing, and it's really great to see this first-hand," said Congressman Mike Carey.

Congressman Mike Carey Visits MY Project USA, Offers Support for Our Organization's Efforts in the Hilltop

MY Project USA would like to thank Congressman Mike Carey, who visited the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center last week for a tour and to see the work of our organization. In March 2023, MY Project USA Founder & Executive Director Zerqa Abid went to Washington, D.C., to draw his attention to the plight of children in Wedgewood and the Hilltop. We are grateful to the congressman for accepting our invitation to come see our center.

MY Project USA in the News:

ABC6 Reports on MY Project USA's Funding Shortfall After City Provides 20% of Requested Summer Programming Money

“The gap in the funding is costing us," said Zerqa Abid. "Not having enough money for stipends, not having enough money for food, not having enough money for security guards, which is a major need in this neighborhood.”

MY Project USA would like to thank Steve Levine and ABC6 for their story on our organization’s struggles with acquiring funding for our summer youth programs.

Unfortunately, we received less than 20% of the funding we requested from the city. The city of Columbus dispersed nearly $25 million to several community groups seeking funding for summer youth programming. We are fortunate to be among them, but the total we received left us with a financial shortfall. It's important to note that we were told to request for what we need for the entire year since they had a bigger pool of money under summer program. We don't know so far if there will be any other support from the City toward youth programming this year.

"It's a constant struggle," MY Project USA Founder & Executive Director Zerqa Abid told ABC6. "Do we feed them? Do we provide security? Do we provide them with programming?"

“Hilltop children are precious children,” Abid added. “They're as precious as any other children in suburbs or any other neighborhood.”

As MY Project USA looks to make up the financial shortfall, Abid is working with Congressman Mike Carey to find federal dollars to help the organization.

"There are a lot of challenges, I think there are a lot of opportunities," Carey told ABC6. "I would really like to see this area grow. I hate the fact that one person (Carey met during his tour of the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center) had actually been shot, I hate the fact that many of them and their parents are scared to go out."

If you would like to help MY Project USA, please consider donating at myprojectusa.org/donors.

MY Project USA in the News:

"What Zerqa has done here, it is an opportunity to not only have a place to come and eat and recreate but also to learn," Congressman Mike Carey told NBC 4

“I wish when I was younger I had something like this because I lost some friends to it when I was younger I lost people around me that I didn’t even know..." Coach Ali Jeylani to NBC 4.

NBC4 Provides Coverage of Congressman Carey's Visit

Thank you to Anna Hoffman of NBC 4 for her coverage of our meeting last week with Congressman Mike Carey. Carey got a first-hand look at the efforts of MY Project USA when he toured the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center with MY Project USA Founder & Executive Director Zerqa Abid and got a chance to speak with members of our Hilltop Tigers youth soccer program.

"I hate the fact that we have a person who has actually been shot," said Carey, referring to one of our Hilltop Tigers who was the victim of a gunshot wound in the past. "I hate the fact that many of their parents are scared for them to go out and play."

Added Carey: "What Zerqa has done here, it is an opportunity to not only have a place to come and eat and recreate but also to learn."

Hoffman also interviewed Hilltop Tigers coach Ali Jeylani, the older brother of our late Issa Jeylani who passed in July 2022, as part of her report.

“He died on July 22 and it’s coming the yearly you know death day it’s going to be hard. Just talking about him is hard but I push through for him,” Jeylani told Hoffman.

The Jeylanis moved to Columbus when Ali was 15, and he said the transition to living in the Hilltop was difficult at first.

“I wasn’t used to seeing kids doing stuff that they are doing like starting with 10-year-olds to 12-year-olds to 15, 16 like having guns, the way they talk and just the drug use and everything,” Jeylani said. 

“I wish when I was younger I had something like this because I lost some friends to it when I was younger I lost people around me that I didn’t even know. I knew of, but I wish they had something like this so they could’ve been distracted because kids do what they see first. If they see drugs they go to it. But if they see soccer they’ll go to it.”

Hilltop Tigers:

Tigers Claim Championship Trophies! Three Teams Bring Home Hardware to the Hilltop

MY Project USA Proud of Its Newest Soccer Champions

The Hilltop Tigers have worn “Do It 4 Issa” armbands this summer, and last week our Tigers did it for Issa! 

The Tigers recently took home trophies from two different tournaments a mere 24 hours apart. On the afternoon of Friday, July 7, a squad of Hilltop Tigers participated in the Al-Fityah Soccer Cup tournament at Thompson Park and won four straight games en route to the championship.

The next day, our Under-14 and Under-17 squads participated in the annual Columbus Nations Cup, which is a Final Third Foundation tournament at the Soccer Fields at Easton. After a full day full of games, both the U-14 and U-17 teams took home championship trophies!

We are very proud of all of our Tigers! Thank you very much to our hard-working coaches – Ali Jeylani, Mohamed "Speedy" Ahmed and Abdi "Neymar" Idris – for their hard work.

Youth Development:

Issa's Peace Patio Ribbon Cutting Scheduled for Next Friday

This Will be a Special Community Meeting Place in the Hilltop

Please join us for a special ribbon cutting for Issa’s Peace Patio on Friday, July 21.

The Peace Patio, which will be located at the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center (3275 Sullivant Ave. Columbus, OH 43204), will be used as a community meeting place for youth, a place to have constructive conversations, team building activities and other fun. See you then!

Youth Development:

Register Now to Attend Our Columbus Youth United Summit

MY Project USA’s youth leaders invite you to join them to raise awareness and advocate for their futures at the Columbus Youth United Summit on Saturday, July 29 at West High School (179 S. Powell Ave. Columbus, OH 43204).

People of all ages are invited to attend this youth-led event, which will focus on the life-and-death issues of climate justice and gun/gang violence. During this summit, we will join hands and advocate in front of local lawmakers to advance solutions to these major issues that affect everyone. A delicious lunch will also be provided.

This event is FREE, but registration is required. Please register by Thursday, July 27.

Thank you to the Ohio Climate Justice Fund, ADAMH Board of Franklin County and the City of Columbus for their support.

Youth Development:

Youngsters Showing Off Their Artistic Sides During Current Weekly Camp

MY Summer Expedition Camps Continue, Run Through Early August

Our MY Summer Expedition campers are showing off their artistic sides this week during our Art Camp. Here are some pictures from our elementary school campers doing some self-portraits and drawings of others on Tuesday morning.

If we had a big enough refrigerator, we'd put all of their artwork on it!

Thank you to art teacher Meg Beech, who is helping in leading this week’s camp. MY Project USA also wants to thank our hard-working staffers and volunteers, including Education Manager Jenna Herron; Education Consultant Dr. Sharon Watkins; Outreach Coordinator Felix Mijangos; Hilltop Tigers coaches Ali Jeylani, Mohamed "Speedy" Ahmed and Abdi "Neymar" Idris; and everyone else who has taken the time to make these camps special for our youth.

Our Art Camp will continue through Friday. Campers will create mixed fine arts and digital art. They will also take a field trip later this week to the Columbus Museum of Art!

MY Summer Expedition will conclude with STEM Camp (July 17-21), Cooking & Nutrition Camp (July 24-28) and Music & Dance Camp (July 31-Aug. 4). 

As always, thank you to the Ohio Department of Education and the city of Columbus for their support of our MY Summer Expedition camps.

Community Service:

More Than 500 LBs of Eid Udhiya/Qurbani Meat Distributed to Needy Muslims in Columbus

Thank You to All of Those Who Donated Their Eid Sacrifice to MY Project USA

MY Project USA received approximately 560 pounds of frozen meat as part of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. Many Muslims gave us their Udhiya/Qurbani sacrifices during Eid, and we have now distributed the packages to needy Muslims on the west side of Columbus. Thank you all for your generosity.

We are especially grateful to Noor Islamic Cultural Center and the Turkish American Society of Ohio (TASO) for directing their donations to our way. 

Global Gifts & Thrift:

Grab Gorgeous Jewelry At Global Gifts & Thrift Today

Have you visited Global Gifts & Thrift, our one-of-a-kind retail venture in Hilliard? Global Gifts & Thrift proudly offers an international, multicultural collection of gifts, artifacts, decorative items, clothing, shoes, household items and more!

Visit us today and see all of the great jewelry we have in stock! Shop. Donate. Build a Life.

📍 4730 Cemetery Rd. (Next to the Hilliard BMV)

MY Community Cafe:

'What an exciting space to add to this community!' – Minority Leader Allison Russo Speaks About MY Community Cafe

Order Online Today! Feed a Future! Visit MYCommunity.Cafe to Order

MY Project USA was blessed to have several elected officials attend the Grand Opening of MY Community Cafe, and Ohio State Minority Leader Allison Russo was one of those. Click on the image above (or here) to listen to her thoughts about our latest venture!

📍 Address: 3275 Sullivant Ave. Columbus, OH 43204 (Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center)
🕒 Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Annual Report: 

Have You Read Our Annual Report Yet? It's 32 Pages of Great Info!

If you have not yet read our latest annual report, click on the image above (or the button below) to download a PDF of the 32-page report. We did our best to put eight years of work in these pages, but that's nowhere near enough to attempt to tell the full story. 

MY Helpline:

Rent & Utilities Support Available at MY Project USA

We have been working very hard in securing grants and building collaboration with other partners to help our clients. Thanks to The Columbus Foundation, United Way of Central Ohio, and IMPACT Community Action, we are still able to help more of our families with their rent and utilities. If you or someone you know needs help, please ask them to contact us at (614) 905-0977 or helpadmin@myprojectusa.org.

MY Deah's Warehouse:

12 Locations In Columbus To Drop Off Donations – Truck Pick-Up Available For Large Donations

You can now drop off your donations of new and gently used clothes, shoes, books, toys and other small non-breakable items in a donation box near you. These locations include: 

• Noor Islamic Cultural Center –  5001 Wilcox Rd. Dublin, OH 43016
• Masjid Nimrah – 4501 Refugee Rd. Columbus, OH 43232
• MAS Youth Center – 4615 Northtowne Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229
• Turkish American Society of Ohio (TASO) – 2885 W. Dublin Granville Rd. Columbus, OH 43235
• Ahlul Bayt Society – 2580 W. Dublin Granville Rd. Columbus, OH 43235
• The First Congregational Church – 444 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43215
• MY Deah's Warehouse – 4004 Fondorf Dr. Columbus, OH 43228. (Business Hours Only)
• Global Gifts & Thrift – 4730 Cemetery Rd. Hilliard, OH 43206. (Business Hours Only)
• Heritage Christian Church (NEW) – 7413 Maxtown Rd. Westerville, OH 43082
• Omar Ibn El-Khattab Masjid (NEW) – 580 Riverview Dr. Columbus, OH 43202
• The Destiny Center (NEW) – 1561 Old Leonard Ave. Columbus, OH 43219
• Bethel International United Methodist Church (NEW) – 1220 Bethel Rd. Columbus, OH 43220

We are looking for more locations. If interested in helping us or have any other questions, please contact us at warehouse@myprojectusa.org.