Exciting Updates to Our Board of Directors!

Uzair Qidwai Serves As The Treasurer & Taimur Chaudhri Serves As The Secretary of The Organization

Family,

I have some important updates regarding our Board of Directors that I would like to share with you.

I am pleased to announce new additions to our Board of Directors:

• Zainah Shaheen has joined us as the Director of MY Reading Warriors, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team.
• Taimur Chaudhri joins us as our new Secretary, ensuring that our board operates smoothly and efficiently.

Two board members will continue to serve on the Board with a new role.

• Raifa Alhag-Ali will serve as the Board Liaison for the Hilltop Free Clinic, further strengthening our community connections.
• Uzair Qidwai will now serve as the Treasurer of the organization. Taha and Uzair were previously co-Treasurers.

Former Secretary of Board, Ramy El-Assal, has stepped down from his Board position to take on a full-time role as our Human Resources and Grant Compliance Manager. Ramy will continue to serve as the Director of MY Family Pantry while we work to find his successor.

Last but not least, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Grace Johnson and Taha Ahmed, who have stepped down from their board positions due to family obligations. I thank them for their valuable service and dedication to our organization and are grateful for their continued support!

I am excited to see how our new board members—alongside our dedicated existing members—will contribute their expertise and innovative ideas to our organization's mission. Together, we look forward to driving impactful change and continuing our journey of service and growth.

Please keep us all in your prayers and support us in any form and way you can. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to MY Project USA!

In solidarity with youth and families,

Zerqa Abid,

Founder, President & Executive Director

🎉 Great Volunteer Opportunity for Highschoolers & Families This Weekend🎉

📅 Date: Saturday, September 21st
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Wedgewood Apartments

🌟 We’re Looking for Volunteers, Partners and Sponsors!
If your organization is interested in joining us for this wonderful event, please reach out to us at communityrise@myprojectusa.org  for more details.

Let’s rise together and make this a day to remember! We can’t wait to see you there! 🎊

One Hilltop: Gathering Community to Uplift The Neighborhood 

Join MY Project USA at The Big Table on Wednesday, September 25th

We invite you to come together with community members, leaders, businesses, and organizations in the Hilltop. This is a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about the challenges we face and explore collaborative solutions.

Let’s create a united forum where every voice matters and where we can work together for a stronger community. Together, we are better!

Don’t miss out on this chance to make a difference! RSVP today and be part of the conversation!

Team MY Project USA Gathers for Annual Strategy Meeting

This weekend, the MY Project USA team came together for our annual strategic meeting, where we set our sights on future goals, celebrated the successes of our programs, and brainstormed ways to enhance our impact. It was an energizing day of collaboration, strategizing, and team building!

Looking ahead, we're excited to put our innovative ideas into action as we continue our mission to serve our community. A heartfelt thank you to all for your ongoing support—together, we can achieve even more! We are incredibly proud of our talented team members and the unique contributions each of you brings. Our success is a testament to the amazing people we work with every day!

Three Years of the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center!

Last week marked three years to when we officially opened the doors of the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center and what an amazing three years it’s been! We have served thousands of neighbors and empowered hundreds of youth! We have built lifelong friendships and relationships with our community and have started so many new programs to uplift our people. We have done so much, all with the support of our wonderful donors, sponsors, partners and family that make up our VILLAGE, the most wonderful village ever! Please continue to donate to support the vital work and services our staff and volunteers provide to the most vulnerable in our communities. 

SAVE THE DATE: November 16th, 2024, 5pm

MY Project USA 10th Anniversary Gala: "Narratives of Resilience"

Featuring: The Honorable Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens🎉

📅 Date: November 16
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Ohio Union

We are honored to welcome the distinguished Honorable Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens as our keynote speaker for this momentous occasion.

Let's come together to reflect on our journey, celebrate our achievements, and inspire one another as we look toward the future. Your presence will make this celebration truly special!

Stay tuned for more details and RSVP information! 🌟

MY Leaders Lab Youth Mentors Speak at Ubuntu Conversation Series! 

We are proud to share that two of our dedicated Youth Mentors, Alina Hussein and Bashir Ahmed, recently took part in the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhood's New American Program Ubuntu Conversation Series as youth panelists. They contributed their insights on crucial topics including:

Initiatives that Need to be in Schools: Highlighting the programs and support systems essential for student success.

Engaging with the Youth: Discussing effective strategies to connect and communicate with young people.

Community Barriers: Identifying and addressing the obstacles that impact our communities.

Their participation not only showcased their leadership but also emphasized the importance of youth voices in shaping our educational and community landscapes. We’re proud of their contributions and the impact they’re making!

🌟 Partner Highlight: Noor Islamic Cultural Center 🌟

We would like to take a moment to express our deep heartfelt gratitude to the board members and executive committee of the Noor Islamic Cultural Center for their unwavering support and dedication. A special shout-out goes to Board Chair Dr. Ronney Abaza and Executive Director Azhar Masood for their exceptional leadership!

Since 2016, the Noor Islamic Cultural Center has been instrumental in our donation efforts by placing our donation bins in their parking lot, making it easier for everyone to donate.  Through the years, they have held fundraisers and allowed us to set up fundraising tables. 

Additionally, the center has played a vital role in supporting our hot meals program and assisting needy families through zakat donations. We thank the board and all of our wonderful community members for trusting and supporting us! Your commitment to these initiatives has made a significant impact, and we look forward to continuing this important work together. Thank you for being such a valuable partner in our mission!

Support Our Hot Meals Program for Kids in Need!

Help us sustain our Hot Meals Program, dedicated to providing free, nourishing hot meals to every child in our youth programs. Many underprivileged kids lack access to healthy, consistent nutrition and depend on school meals for their daily sustenance. Unfortunately, one or two meals a day is often insufficient for their growing bodies and minds.

Education is essential, but it cannot stand alone. Food is a vital component of healthy development and academic success. Your generous donation can make a tangible difference in the lives of these children, ensuring they receive the nourishment they need to thrive.

Join us in our mission to create a healthier future. With your help, we can continue to fight hunger and empower our youth. Donate today—every contribution counts!

MY Deah's Warehouse:

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

We Are Looking For More Locations

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.

We will collect the items from the bins weekly (or more frequently as needed) and sort them in our warehouse. Once organized, we offer the items for free to clients in the communities we serve. Some items are also sold at Global Gifts & Thrift, a retail location in Hilliard that is based on the Goodwill model. All proceeds of these sales go toward funding our programs.

Our organization will ensure that the area around the bins remains clean. Please contact Nasir Shinwari at (614) 905-0977 with questions or if you are interested in partnering with us. Thank you!