Empowering Muslim Women: Refugee Support and Domestic Violence Awareness through Food Catering

Photo courtesy: Texas Muslim Women's Foundation

The Texas Muslim Women's Foundation (TMWF) recently hosted a food-tasting event, showcasing their program. 

"Food for Good," which supports refugee and domestic violence survivor women through catering. The event offered attendees a delicious variety of Mediterranean dishes and served as an awareness-raising platform for this vital social initiative. 

"Food for Good" was originally founded in 2017 under "Break Bread, Break Borders," to help refugee women. These women often face barriers such as language skills and transportation issues, making it difficult to find employment. By working together on catering projects, they have overcome these challenges. 

"We used to help each other with transportation," said Claudia Bitroy, the program's food manager and coordinator. "If one had a car, she would take all of the cooks with her." 

Photo courtesy: Texas Muslim Women's Foundation

 

Today, the program is run under the umbrella of TMWF and has expanded its mission to include survivors of domestic violence. During the event, Bitroy shared the significance of the partnership with TMWF, highlighting how it extends the reach and impact of their work. 

The event provided an opportunity to hear from TMWF's Chief Operating Officer, Samar Chatila, who shared her perspective on the organization’s growth. Having joined as a volunteer in 2013, she has witnessed the foundation’s evolution from its first shelter to a broader range of services, including the "Food for Good" program. 

“We are here to promote 'Food for Good,' to let people be aware of this great opportunity," said Chatila. "They can order from us, help these women be on their own, and raise their kids decently. This is our main mission." 

As part of its initiative for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, TMWF has released a Public Service Announcement video series that highlights abuse in minority cultures, offered in several languages. The series also covers how to identify domestic emotional abuse, available in Arabic and Urdu, as well as awareness of teen dating violence. 

“The main reason why women stay with their abuser is the financial issue,” Bitroy said. “If we give her at least financial independence, it will help so much.” The catering program provides the participants not only with job training but also with opportunities to achieve financial independence, empowering them to support their families and build a new life free from abuse. 

The atmosphere at the food-tasting event was lively, with attendees enjoying the healthy, flavorful Mediterranean dishes that have become a hallmark of the program's catering services. The meals, made with halal ingredients, catered to a wide variety of dietary preferences, with flexibility to meet any budget.

"We work with their budget and preferences," Bitroy explained, adding that their ability to accommodate requests, such as gluten-free options, has helped to build their reputation in the community. 

What began as a support network for refugee women has become much more impactful. As Bitroy expressed, “We see ourselves as a sisterhood.” 

This sense of community was palpable throughout the event, and the women behind the program were more than just colleagues—they were a family. 

"We are all refugees. We've been through the same trauma. So if I’m sad or down or anything, they are my first people to talk to," Bitroy said, hoping that others who join the program will find the same sense of support. 

The Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, through initiatives like "Food for Good," continues to foster empowerment and resilience among women facing adversity. By leveraging the healing power of food and community, they are helping to build a brighter future for refugee and domestic violence survivors alike.