As part of its strong commitment to service, the Atlanta Muslim Young Professionals (AMYP) is working with Project Hope to address the needs of the Clarkston refugee community. The community includes families from war-torn nations like Somalia, Iraq and Sudan who recently arrived to the U.S. to start a new life. Despite their escape from harsh conditions in their home countries, many are now struggling to build new lives in America.

AMYP members spoke with several recent refugee families and asked them to identify the most pressing problems. Families and individuals mentioned similar challenges such as trying to learn English, find stable, decent-paying jobs and educate their children.

'We figured the best way to go about it is to focus on a specific area each year and set sustainable programs,' says Sharukh Arif, President of AMYP.

Arif recalls stories such as Nuria Turane's, who is a Somalian woman living in the US with her six young children. Turane's husband is back in Somalia and she is unable to find work and proper childcare. She is struggling financially and is anxious that her situation could worsen.

'One of her little boys took my hand and walked with me when I first came in. You can tell he really wanted someone to help,' says Arif. 'It was pretty eye-opening.'

Another community member, Hussein Ahmed, expressed his wish for his wife to learn English and go back to school so she could help the family. However, he adds that it would be difficult since they can't afford for anyone to look after their little girls, 2 and 3 years old, while he's at work at a chicken plant.

The AMYP community outreach plans to setup English classes, along with skill and resume building workshops. These, according to Arif, address the problems that most community members identified were most important.

'It is vital to help Project Hope Atlanta in fulfilling our responsibilities to our neighboring refugee brothers and sisters,' says Salvy Ahsan, who co-leads this project. 'AMYP members can offer their skill sets and emotional support to help them become self-sufficient in the US.'

For information on future community service projects and how you can help, please contact salvy.ahsan@projecthopeatlanta.org.

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