Community Development:

Paying It Forward: Alex Rudich Leads CPR Training Classes for MY Leaders

MY Project USA Volunteer Recently Earned Teaching Card from AHA

The answer caught Alex Rudich by surprise.

Rudich, a MY Project USA volunteer since February 2022, was at the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center in early August to lead a pair of CPR classes for the MY Leaders group of young people. He started each class with a simple question.

“Who here has been trained in CPR at least once before?” 

Of the more than 20 young people attending the classes, only one hand shot up.

“That was a huge surprise to me,” Rudich said. “I read about how this was an issue that people in underserved communities were not trained (in CPR) as often, but I did not expect it to be only one person. … It’s just unfortunate that I always had access to that sort of (training), but it doesn’t seem like these students had access to that before.”

Rudich had received CPR and first aid training in middle school and during Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts when he was younger. Now a medical school student at Ohio State, he saw a need in underserved communities like those MY Project USA serves.

Rudich took it upon himself to earn a CPR teaching card from the American Health Association and, along with fellow longtime MY Project USA volunteer Yzen Al-Marrawi, have started teaching people the techniques that could someday save a life.

“The best way to address (the lack of training in underserved communities) is by giving more trainings so that people feel confident and capable that they’re able to do them,” Rudich said. “So that when a situation arises, they feel comfortable providing that care to people, and that’s what motivated me to get my teaching card for this.”

Rudich found teaching the class to be both fun and challenging. Perhaps most importantly, he also found it to be heartening because he could see how serious many of the young people were taking his direction.

During one class, one young man even expressed a desire to look into a career in nursing. 

“I noticed that some that were not engaged before were a lot more engaged with this,” said Rudich, who has volunteer experience with MY Family Pantry and with MY Project USA’s environmental/recycling efforts. “Everyone has different interests, and I think what was cool to see here was that maybe not everyone loved it but some of them took a real interest in this.

“That’s both exciting and encouraging.”

MY Project USA is very thankful for Rudich. He paid for his training out of his own pocket and immediately started using his knowledge to help others. In the near future, Rudich will also return to the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center to lead more classes for MY Project USA team members and Hilltop Tigers coaches.

“We definitely plan on doing more,” Rudich said.

MY Project USA in the News:

NBC4 Report Highlights Progress of Issa Jeylani Memorial Recreation Center Project

Organization Needs to Pay Back $250,000 in Loans within 3 Months

MY Project USA would like to thank Isabel Cleary of NBC4 for her report on our purchase of the land that will become the Issa Jeylani Memorial Recreation Center.

Cleary spoke to MY Project USA Founder & Executive Director Zerqa Abid and Hilltop Tigers coach Ali Jeylani at Issa’s Peace Patio at the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center. Both told Cleary that having the rec center will help provide Hilltop young people with options that keep them away from guns, drugs and gangs.

“One thing that everybody needs to understand is that soccer or any sports recreation in this neighborhood is a huge deal because you’re not just talking about some kind of recreation for their fitness; you’re talking about what keeps them away from drugs and gangs and all of that, that is out there,” Abid told NBC4.

Added Ali Jeylani: “The soccer team helps because, in their free time that they have like when they’re off, they’re getting into trouble or just doing something they’re not supposed to do. When you have soccer five days a week or seven days a week, whatever it is, they’re busy.”

MY Project USA recently finalized the purchase of the future site of the Issa Jeylani Memorial Recreation Center for $250,000. Finding funding for the purchase of the 2.13-acre piece of land proved difficult, so we acquired a loan at zero percent interest. Abid acquired a personal loan of $125,000 to add to an additional sum of $125,000 from her own pocket to help the organization reach the $250,000 figure needed for the land.

This gets us ever closer to the creation of this much-needed facility for the underserved children of the Hilltop. We aim to build two full-size indoor soccer fields, a basketball court, offices, a cafeteria and classrooms.

MY Project USA has just three months to repay the $250,000 loan, and we are humbly asking for the public’s aid. Please consider helping make the rec center a reality by joining our team today. Visit MYProjectUSA.org/donors or click the button below.

Community Development:

Volunteers Still Needed for Saturday's Hilltop Youth Rise & Back to School Festival

MY Project USA is excited to present the Hilltop Youth Rise & Back to School festival this Saturday from 4-8 p.m. at the Wedgewood Village Apartments. The festivities will take place at the big field near the laundry building (3690 Eakin Rd. Columbus, OH 43228).

We are still looking for volunteers to help us with the event. Sign up via the button below. We would also like to thank all of those who helped MY Project USA compile school supplies that we will be handing out to the children of the Hilltop during Saturday's event.

MY Project USA would also like to thank the Ohio Department of Education, the Women's Fund of Central Ohio, the ADAMH Board of Franklin County and the city of Columbus for their support.

Community Development:

'Day Out' Brings Hilltop Together During Annual Event

MY Project USA Team Proud to Participate in 18th Annual Festival

A huge shout to legendary Lisa Boggs and family for organizing another very successful event. This was the best one yet!

The MY Project USA team was proud to participate in the 18th annual SC Hilltop “Day Out” Festival at Burroughs Park on Saturday.

It was a fun afternoon, full of games, music and more. MY Project USA had an information table set up, and we were excited to greet many people during the festival and had out some free popcorn. Special thanks to MY Project USA Founder & Executive Director Zerqa Abid, Treasurer Russ Harris, Director of Community Development Sami Omerzai, Director of Community Outreach Taqdeerullah Aziz, Assistant Director of Community Development Noorullah Shinwari and outreach team members Melissa Coleman, Isha & Habiba Hussein and Layla Sylvester for their efforts at the event.

Don’t forget that MY Project USA will be hosting an event of its own in the Hilltop this Saturday! The Hilltop Youth Rise & Back to School Festival will be held at the Wedgewood Village Apartments in the big field near the laundry building. We are still looking for volunteers to help us with the event. Sign up via the button below.

Hilltop Tigers:

Tigers Enjoy Special Private ODNR Event at State Fairgrounds

Young People Had Chance to Get Up Close & Personal with Nature

The Hilltop Tigers would like to thank the Starfish Assignment, the Columbus Division of Police and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for inviting our young people to attend a private event at the ODNR Park at the State Fairgrounds on Thursday.

It was a wonderful event for our young people. They were able to explore stream life tables, take part in archery and airsoft ranges, play on a playground, do some fun virtual reality activities and go on a geo walk. They were also able to experience a naturalist presentation at the park’s pavilion.

Everyone at MY Project USA is proud of our young soccer players and the young men who coach them! If you would like to help us keep the Tigers on the pitch, please consider donating via the button below.

MY Family Pantry:

More Than 2,300 Individuals Served Last Week at MY Family Pantry

Saturday Was Busiest Day with 787 Individuals Served

Thank you to all of our wonderful team members and volunteers who helped serve 589 families and 2,356 individuals at the Mid-Ohio Market at MY Project USA powered by MY Family Pantry from Tuesday, Aug. 8-Saturday, Aug. 12. We saw 96 new families and were able to serve healthy and nutritious food and offer household necessities.

The pantry menu this week included carrots, apples, cucumbers, potatoes, cereal, chickpeas, water and much more.

We thank MY Family Pantry Director Ramy El-Assal and his entire team from Ohio State (Michael Abou-Elias, Rahaf Shalash, Noora Rajjoub, Elsa Wani, Stella Aboshahba, Nawal Abdinur and Chai Annamreddi) and other volunteers for helping on Saturdays.

This past Saturday was a very busy day with a total of 787 individuals and 183 families visiting us. We also want to give a big shout-out to our staff Ezatullah Momand, Jajuan Parker & Kristina Arnold, who make the pantry a success each and every week. Thanks to their hard efforts, we distribute fresh produce and groceries to hundreds of individuals in our community weekly.

Annual Banquet:

Save the Date! Annual Banquet Set for Saturday, Nov. 4

Event will be Held at the Ohio Union at The Ohio State University

MY Project USA is proud to announce the date and location of our annual banquet. The 2023 banquet will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Ohio Union on the campus of The Ohio State University. Stay tuned for more info about this great event as we get closer to November!

Global Gifts & Thrift:

Great Deals for a Great Cause! What a Perfect Combo!

We know you love great deals. You also love to support a good cause!

You can combine both of these with a trip to Global Gift & Thrift in Hilliard, where you can find some unique and perfect gifts for any occasion. If you have not been to Global Gifts & Thrift yet, now is the perfect time!

We proudly offer an international, multicultural collection of gifts, artifacts, decorative items, clothing, shoes, household items and more. We've got a great selection of shoes and bags, and what mother does not love that?!

Each dollar spent at Global Gifts & Thrift helps MY Project USA feed, clothe, employ and empower underprivileged youth and their families, refugees, unemployed and homeless people. It helps us address gang/gun violence and human trafficking. It helps us foster strong girls and women leaders.

Shop. Donate. Build a Life!

📍Address: 4730 Cemetery Rd. Hilliard, OH 43026 (next to the BMV)

MY Community Cafe:

Ordering From MY Community Cafe Helps Keep Children in Columbus Away from Drugs and Gangs

If you have purchased a meal from MY Community Cafe, you have helped feed children in Columbus. If you have not, now is the perfect time to do so!

Now that the summer is here, it is extremely important to make sure at-risk children in Columbus have access to food. MY Project USA continues to try to provide an oasis in what is a well-known food desert.

We have a goal of serving 100,000 meals in 2023, and it is extremely important to do everything we can to keep children safe. Feeding them is an important way to accomplish that goal.

Please consider donating the our "Sponsor a Meal" campaign today or by ordering some delicious food from MY Community Cafe. 

Order. Donate. Feed a Future!

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 – 7413 Maxtown Rd. Westerville, OH 43082
• Omar Ibn El-Khattab Masjid – 580 Riverview Dr. Columbus, OH 43202
• The Destiny Center – 1561 Old Leonard Ave. Columbus, OH 43219
• Bethel International United Methodist Church – 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.

Youth Development:

Zerqa Abid Motivates Youth Summit Attendees with 'The Power in You' Keynote Address

Get inspired by watching the keynote address from our recent Columbus United Youth Summit! Our Founder & Executive Director Zerqa Abid gave a speech entitled “The Power in You,” and we thought it was just too important to not share the entire thing.