The Zakat Foundation of America recently opened a Social Services Center in Harvey, Illinois located at 444 E. 147th St. The center will provide items for migrant refugees and low-income residents on the South side of Chicago and South Suburbs.
Zakat Foundation of America was founded in 2001, with the mission to provide essential items to those in need. The humanitarian organization, which is headquartered in Bridgeview, aims include to relieve starvation, to provide access to education, to provide clean water, help victims of disaster and violent conflict, caring for orphans, lifting people out of poverty and alleviating the needs of vulnerable families and children. Zakat Foundation of America has 10 offices in the United States and 10 international offices to provide a response to emergencies and humanitarian aid.
“Not only do we want to make a measurable difference in the over 40 countries in which we work internationally, but we also want to make an impact in our own backyard. The Social Services Center will provide vital assistance to uplift and empower the Harvey community and its neighbors.” Said Halil Demir, CEO and Founder of Zakat Foundation of America, in a release.
Zakat Foundation of America is able to do its work because of generous donations. During COVID-19, the organization was able to distribute five million pounds of food in 200 communities across the United States. The organization opened the Harvey location because the South Suburbs have always been part of its service area. It wanted to be closer to Harvey, Markham and Phoenix, which are communities in great need. Also, a lot of refugee families reside in the community.
Demir has conversations with the leadership in Harvey and, as a result, decided to have a social services center there instead of having them come to the organization’s headquarters in Bridgeview. Demir was aware that some people who are in need of services might not have the adequate transportation necessary to come to Bridgeview.
For Christmas, the organization wanted to bring joy and happiness to the families in need, so it provided new clothes, shoes and personal items, as well as toys for the children, on its opening day. It also responded to the cold weather during the Winter months by providing hats, gloves and scarves for people who visit the center. The organization will also start to provide food items to the people in need.
Demir said when he first established Zakat Foundation of America, there was a giveaway in the South Suburbs and the organization has a longstanding relationship with Harvey.
“We started working in Harvey almost 20-something years ago, so it’s not new. During COVID-19, we were also very active and were partners with the churches, and there’s also a Mosque community there, so we’ve been very active there,” Demir said, adding that the Mayor’s office has been very open when the organization needed.
Demir is happy Zakat Foundation of America is able to bring a little comfort to the people of the South Suburbs and their families.
The Zakat Foundation of America is accepting donations and looking for volunteers. Those interested in donating new and lightly used items can do so at 7421 W. 100th in Bridgeview, Ill. Those interested in volunteering can email Lyla Ramirez at [email protected].
For more information about Zakat Foundation of America, visit www.zakat.org, or call 1-888-ZAKAT-US (925-2887).