Muslim Women’s Local Nonprofit Mission To Support North Texas Families in Need
In their latest community campaign, AAMAAL is ensuring families and children receive necessary supplies for upcoming school year
For the past couple of years the Muslim women-led nonprofit, AAMAAL, has partnered with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County (CACCC) in north Dallas to fund many thousands of dollars in school supplies and resources for families in need.
“We sponsor CACCC wholeheartedly as they provide lifelong help to the most vulnerable in the community- our children,” says the group.
This year AAMAAL funded shoes and multiple items from an Amazon wish list created by the kid's advocacy center, which has been providing back-to-school supplies to their clients and children in Child Protective Services for almost 20 years.
AAMAAL, which means “acting on good deeds” in the South Asian language of Urdu, was among a host of donors and corporate sponsors, who helped CACCC assist almost 400 children during their Back to School Fair held last month. It hopes to help close to a thousand more through August.
“Buying school supplies can be difficult for families with children who have experienced abuse or neglect and might be struggling to make ends meet,” said CACCC Donor Relations Manager, Maria Strong. “Our mission is to provide safety, healing, and justice for children victimized by abuse or neglect in our community.”
Partnering with organizations that center on children fits in with AAMAAL’s aim to bridge the gap in resources for those in need and its primary areas of focus - food insecurity, children's advocacy and education. The women, who come from all backgrounds, including physicians, lawyers, educators and accountants, launched the charity in 2020, as the founders saw how vulnerable populations were impacted by the pandemic.
“Nelson Mandela said ‘a winner is a dreamer who never gives up!’” says Board Member Dr. Talat Kheshgi. “The dream behind the formation of AAMAAL was to help alleviate immediate suffering and food insecurity through local charities while aiming to provide long-term hope and independence through education.”
In line with this emphasis on education as an avenue to success and independence, the Muslim-led nonprofit has established STEM and nursing scholarships at Dallas colleges and an endowed scholarship at the University of North Texas.
Two AAMAAL board members and six volunteers attended the recent CACCC-organized event in Plano, to help hand out school supplies. They held up signs for cars to drive through the parking lot, following orange cones that lead to tents where supplies are kept. Here, drivers remained seated as they open trunks so volunteers can place the items.
“This event ensures that children have the tools and supplies they need to start the school year off on the right foot,” said Strong. “Also, as part of the Fair, we set up a carnival where children and their families can play games, do arts and crafts, get their faces painted, take fun photos, and enjoy a snow cone, lemonade, or other treats.”
CACCC’s Amazon wish list was created following coordination with local school districts to ensure children of all ages are getting the appropriate supplies for their grade level. Sponsored packages can be purchased through the center’s website.
AAMAAL has had a busy year. Earlier in April, during Ramadan, the Muslim non-profit provided refugees with groceries, lunch and gift cards. The organization also donated free meals to a downtown Dallas homeless shelter, Family Gateway Center, which serves families who have fallen on hard times.
As part of its mission to reduce food insecurity in the community, AAMAAL also regularly donates to the North Texas and Tarrant County food banks and has partnered with Dallas’ Masjid Al-Islam for their annual Day of Dignity event, where volunteers distribute socks, T-shirts, hygiene kits, toys and books for families, cleaning supplies, backpacks and gift cards.
The organization’s leaders say everyone who volunteers for AAMAAL is providing charitable services because community is important.
“AAMAAL’s mission is to help mainstream charities and uplift communities under stress,” say its reps. “We hope to provide help for meeting immediate needs of individuals facing hard times but strongly believe in building a secure future for all through education.”
