1 “In the Name of Allah/the One God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful” WELCOME to ISOS NEWS www.i-sos.org 7 th Edition (November 2015 - October 2016) Mission Islamic Social Services of Oregon State (ISOS) is a 501c3 social service charitable organization. We strive to be a trusted organization practicing Islamic values when rendering services to people in need of assistance through trying times. In doing so we hope to reflect and spread understanding of Islam, promote self reliance and add to the well being of the community we live in. Vision ISOS collaborates with a network of non-profit organizations and community service groups to assist those facing periods of challenge in gaining self reliance through financial assistance and access to public assistance targeted to their needs and goals. We would like to provide an acknowledgement to those agencies that have collaborated with ISOS during this time period in helping those in need. DHS Child Welfare; AsSaber Mosque; Bilal Mosque; Iraqi Society of Greater Portland; Oregon Islamic Chaplain Organization (OICO); Oregon Muslim Medical Association (OMMA); Islamic Relief USA; African Youth Community Organization (AYCO); Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO); Muslim Educational Trust - Oregon Islamic Academy; Bashar & Johnson Tax Accountant; Refugee Disability Benefits of Oregon (RDBO); Tualatin Community Warehouse; Jewish Family and Child Services (JFCS); Latter Day Saints (LDS); Blanchet House; SW Community Health Center; Multnomah County Health Dept; Outside In Agency; Oregon Food Bank; Street Roots; Sesame Donuts; New Season Market; Lutheran Community Services (LCS); Catholic Charities; Portland Police Dept. and Portland Refugee Support Group. And most of all to our donors for providing the much needed financial support to make this happen! Special Recognition and Appreciation to our dear brother Viqar Shamim , who has passed away, with our prayers to Allah/God for His eternal bliss. He had served as an ISOS Board member for over a decade and will be remembered for all the good he has provided to many in our community. Appreciation
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“In the Name of Allah/the One God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful” WWEELLCCOOMMEE ttoo IISSOOSS NNEEWWSS
www.i-sos.org
7th Edition (November 2015 - October 2016)
Mission
Islamic Social Services of Oregon State (ISOS) is a 501c3 social service charitable organization. We
strive to be a trusted organization practicing Islamic values when rendering services to people in need
of assistance through trying times. In doing so we hope to reflect and spread understanding of Islam,
promote self reliance and add to the well being of the community we live in.
Vision
ISOS collaborates with a network of non-profit organizations and community service groups to assist
those facing periods of challenge in gaining self reliance through financial assistance and access to
public assistance targeted to their needs and goals.
We would like to provide an acknowledgement to those agencies that have collaborated with ISOS during this time period in helping those in need. DHS Child Welfare; AsSaber Mosque; Bilal Mosque; Iraqi Society of Greater Portland; Oregon Islamic Chaplain Organization (OICO); Oregon Muslim Medical Association (OMMA); Islamic Relief USA; African Youth Community Organization (AYCO); Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO); Muslim Educational Trust - Oregon Islamic Academy; Bashar & Johnson Tax Accountant; Refugee Disability Benefits of Oregon (RDBO); Tualatin Community Warehouse; Jewish Family and Child Services (JFCS); Latter Day Saints (LDS); Blanchet House; SW Community Health Center; Multnomah County Health Dept; Outside In Agency; Oregon Food Bank; Street Roots; Sesame Donuts; New Season Market; Lutheran Community Services (LCS); Catholic Charities; Portland Police Dept. and Portland Refugee Support Group.
And most of all to our donors for providing the much needed financial support to make this happen!
Special Recognition and Appreciation to our dear brother Viqar Shamim, who has passed away, with our prayers to Allah/God for His eternal bliss. He had served as an ISOS Board member for over a decade and will be remembered for all the good he has provided to many in our community.
*ISOS admin - infrastructure expenses 2009-2011: over $2,000 into storage rent; outreach promotions; utilities. Switched to Community Warehouse. 2012: started leasing ISOS office in Oct ($299/month); outreach promotions; utilities 2013: DHS requires insurance coverage (about $2,500); ISOS office lease; outreach promotions. 2014: Office lease and furniture; insurance; Paypal fees; state registration; utilities 2015: Office lease and furniture; insurance; Paypal/Paychex fees; state registration; utilities; office supplies
Cases (Helping those in Need): ISOS requires those receiving assistance to be an Oregonian/SW Washingtonian resident; sponsored by another agency to validate the need and to provide a self sufficiency plan.
Between 15-30 cases served monthly. Majority of the cases are due to loss of jobs; domestic violence; insufficient disability funds; and refugee resettlement. Services were provided to both Muslims and non-Muslims in need that are sponsored by an agency to confirm legitimacy of the need. With the increase of housing rents, the need for subsidizing rent support has not only increased, but the average amount requested has at least doubled. Increases of requests are coming primarily from refugees. The state is struggling with the housing issue and how to best address it with the insufficient funds provided. With that issue, we also face an increase of requests to help those that are also non-Muslims from being homeless.
DHS Foster Children Prevention Program (Saving Families): DHS Family Service and Child Protection are
collaborating with ISOS on specific Muslim families at risk, finding ways to keep children from being removed from their families into foster care. 2 families contracted to ISOS this past year. One case to assist with special needs child from an alleged abuse that resulted into criminal charges. The children remain with the 1 parent. (1 year process.) The other case involved parents that did not understand the child abuse laws that resulted into criminal charges. The parents were under student visa, and have successfully completed the parental training and have returned, as a family, to their homeland. (2 year process.) ISOS is a member at the state level with Refugee Child Welfare Advisory Committee. We meet and review state wide cases and discuss possible resolutions.
AYCO (Special Needs Children): ISOS provided special bussing for low-income youth with special needs under the care of African Youth and Community Organization (AYCO) to enjoy the Portland Zoo on MLK Holiday (Jan 18, 2016) as a gift to the children (60 students in total).
Oregon Food Bank (Providing Food for Those in Need): ISOS is collaborating with Oregon Food Bank with delivery of food to the mosque on the last Friday of the month to conveniently serve those in need, including providing fresh produce. Omar Shabazz and Marion Dawan have been instrumental with leading the distribution efforts for Masjed Furqan recipients.
Accomplishments
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Ramadhan Food Drive (IRUSA Food Boxes): Annually, ISOS distributes food cards to those in need during the month of Ramadhan. In addition to the WINCO food cards, this year, Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) had provided ISOS with about 200 food boxes for Ramadhan distribution. ISOS coordinated with MET; MCCP; Bilal Masjid and Masjed AsSaber to pick up and distribute food boxes to those in need in their communities. About 1,179 people were served. In addition, ISOS was able to collect about $46,370 that went into WINCO food cards and distributed to those in need during the month of Ramadhan.
Refugee Resettlement (Knowing How to Better Serve our Refugees): o Syrian Refugee Welcome Summit: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service held a 2 day summit (Dec 2-4, 2015)
in Detroit, MI to discuss with representatives from 8 US metropolitan areas impacted by Syrian refugees on how to effectively address their needs to successful resettlement into their new homeland. Very effective speakers from the US Dept of Refugee and Immigrants; local politicians and international (Egyptian) psychologist in post-trauma refugee treatment. Lutheran Community Services (LCS) from Portland invited ISOS Board member as their guest to the summit meeting. Wonderful collaboration sessions.
o Refugee Stakeholder Meetings: A collaborative group of agencies and state department officials that provide services to the refugees. This is a quarterly meeting where top issues and available resources are reviewed and discussed. Housing has been on the top of the list of concerns.
o Lutheran Community Services – Pathways to Wellness: is an innovative project that identifies refugees with significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress and connects them to the care they need to heal. Faiza Kareem, ISOS Board member, and also a Clinical Mental Health Counselor is working with these refugees at Lutheran community services. ISOS is subsidizing with rent and basic living support for those refugees in need until their self-sufficiency plan has been achieved.
Jewish Family and Child Services (JFCS) (Thanksgiving Drive): The sisters group at Bilal Masjid, named Sisters@Bilal, participated by providing 120 cans of Swanson chicken broth for the JFCS Thanksgiving food boxes. Some of our needy families will be receiving the Thanksgiving food boxes that cover the complete grocery items to provide for a grand Thanksgiving feast. Masjed Bilal’s participation is posted on JFCS newsletter: http://cedarsinaipark.org/2016/10/help-light-someones-life-holiday-season.
Portland Muslim Community Police Council (Safety Support): The Portland Police Department has developed a forum with the local Muslim leaders to address better community support with the Portland Police Dept. ISOS is a member of the council and finds great opportunities to better address safety and community issues with the aid and guidance of our local police force.
Day of Dignity (Serving Portland’s Homeless): Day of Dignity is an annual ISOS event, financially sponsored by Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) and partnering with local agencies. This year’s day of Dignity fell on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. The location was held downtown Portland in the Pearl District park. The number of agencies that participated with us increased by 33% from last year. This year we had: Oregon Islamic Chaplain Organization (OICO); Blanchet House; Latter Day Saints (LDS); Jewish Family and Child Services; Japanese American Citizen League (JACL); local barbers; Multnomah Health Dept; Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church; New Season Market; Costco; Oregon Food Bank; Street Roots and Sesame Donuts. Our partnership was our way in showcasing true American spirit in working together for a better America, united for the greater cause of humanity. We had 546 homeless served with a bar-b-que picnic. Supplies distributed to the homeless were thermal socks; ponchos; hoodies; knitted caps; mittens; scarves; 1st aid kits; school kits; and hygiene kits. In addition, resource information; health counselors and barbers for haircuts were made available. Our local youth from 12-18 years of age provided their time and services with packaging and manning booths and distributing the supplies. For our youth, this is an excellent way to gain awareness and respect for the human condition. OICO provided the security patrol; setup and cleanup labor; bar-b-que services and storage of the supplies. The success was not only serving Portland’s homeless, but also in building partnerships across charitable organizations. This year we had 3 of our youths mentored as project leads for the planning and execution of the Day of Dignity 2016. Our thanks goes to Farah Abu-Khater, Faaiq Waqar and Sofia Albawani for taking initiatives and enthusiasm with their tasks and deliverables. We want to groom our youth to take more leadership roles with community well-being activities and to pass the baton over to the next generation.
Surveys gathered from the homeless revealed the following data charts about their background and their status:
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Day of Dignity 2016 – Homeless Profiles (Total surveyed: 546)
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Day of Dignity 2016 Photos
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We are facing a significant increase with refugees seeking our help with their resettlement. Our average cost for housing support has doubled and in some cases tripled from the amount spent last year. Let us be a source of comfort to them after all the pain they have had to endure.
To receive the blessings of giving, please provide your Zakat-ul-Mal/Sadaqa/Donations to ISOS via www.i-sos.org/donation.htm or mail to:
ISOS or ISOS P.O. Box 5996 Colonial Office Campus
Aloha, OR 97006-5996 10175 SW Barbur Blvd; Suite 100BA Portland, OR 97219
For Amazon shoppers – Amazon is donating to non-profits 0.5% of purchases made when shopping from AmazonSmile. Go to AmazonSmile: http://smile.amazon.com and select Islamic Social Services of Oregon State, where you see the word Supporting.
