The Zakat Foundation of America

Jun 04, 2010

Green Transitional Housing

Zakat Foundation of America recently teamed up with the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), to support the initial stage of Inner-City Muslim Action Network's (IMAN) groundbreaking Green Reentry Project.

The Green Reentry Project is designed to revitalize long-neglected neighborhoods by converting vacant and foreclosed properties on Chicago's South Side into vibrant, environmentally sustainable housing. The renovation project will provide on-the-job-training for formerly incarcerated Muslims and later provide them with transitional housing. The Green Reentry Project was one of eight such projects chosen by the City of Chicago's Department of Environment for funding under the Community Green Job program.

While Zakat Foundation is an international charity organization working in over 30 countries around the world, its Social Services Program actively carries out humanitarian work in the United States through the development of partnerships to support communities in times of crisis, as well as long-term development programs designed to promote self-reliance through skill building and income-generating initiatives. In supporting IMAN's Green Reentry Project, Zakat Foundation once again confirms its commitment to human development within its local community.

IMAN, an organization that works closely on issues of criminal justice, believes that with the right resources and opportunities, previously incarcerated individuals can become productive members of society who will lead the way in restoring their communities and neighborhoods. ISNA, which hopes to showcase the first completed home during its annual convention scheduled to take place in Chicago in July, believes that the Green Reentry Project is in line with its own community and infrastructure building priorities.

Zakat Foundation is devoted to addressing the needs of communities in sustainable ways and knows that its contribution to the pioneering Green Reentry Project is in itself a groundbreaking move for a Muslim faith-based charity in the United States.