JERSEY CITY, NJ – Volunteers from Islamic Circle of North America Relief (ICNA) joined with Jersey City police officers Saturday to give out 400 backpacks filled with schools supplies as well as 500 slices of pizzas.

Decked out t-shirts that read “Knowledge is Power” the volunteers, part of ICNA’s One Nation One Cause Back2School Giveaway Campaign donated supplies and distributed them at the Jersey City Police Department’s West District.
The event, now in its third year, was a cooperative effort between the Jersey City Policeman’s Benevolent Association (JCPOBA) and the Muslim American Law Enforcement Association (MALEA).

“There is no disputing that providing every child a quality education is the best way to make our communities safer,” Carmine Disbrow, President of the JCPOBA, said. “We are proud to be a part of this effort, that not only has 400 children more prepared for a challenging school year, but also recognizes the diversity of our city.”
The project, developed by the Islamic Center of North America Relief USA, was created to meet the needs of students across the United States by providing them with a free backpack filled with supplies. Across New Jersey ICNA Relieve gave up 2,000 book-bags and in 2019 they gave out 45,000 book-bags across the United States.

ICNA Relief USA’s projects include women’s shelters, disaster response services, hunger prevention programs, Muslim family services, emergency and funeral assistance and medical clinics.
In past years, the event took place just prior to when kids started back to school. But, as national organizers for the program said, while the global COVID-19 pandemic may have thrown them a curveball, but ICNA Relief is still committed to ensuring that kids have the tools they need to make their educational aspirations come to fruition.
The goal of the program, which benefits students and families of all backgrounds, is to empower  through education, something ICNA Relief does by helping them out with their school supplies and backpack needs. According to the teaching of the faith, acquiring knowledge is obligatory upon for Muslim.
Article Courtesy: tapinto.net

ICNA Relief USA New Jersey, in coordination with St. John’s Soup Kitchen, will distribute food and hygiene supplies outside of St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Newark to low-income individuals and families.

ICNA Relief, along with the staff of St. John’s Soup Kitchen, plans to service 300+ individuals who will grab and go a pre-packaged hot meal and a bag of food items. The distribution program will be in compliance with social distancing requirements.
ICNA Relief also will distribute bags of basic nonperishable food items and soap bars while supplies last at a first-come first-served basis to vulnerable communities. To donate, go to https://www.icnarelief.org/coronavirus.
ICNA Relief USA works to “uplift the underserved in the U.S. through a nationwide network of shelters, food pantries, health clinics, skill development programs, disaster relief services, refugee services and more.” The ICNA Relief USA mission is to build healthy communities, strengthen families and create opportunities for those in despair while maintaining their dignity and advocating for their basic human needs. For more information, go to https://www.icnarelief.org/
Article Courtesy: NJ.com

Since I met Imam Omar Suleiman a few years ago, he’s been good at checking in from time to time, to see how I’m doing or to get my perspective on something. And I’ve found that it’s invaluable to get his take, or just to talk to him for a few minutes. He is a comforting presence in what, even before this month, were uncomfortable times. We had spoken recently: he had been scheduled to go to New Zealand not long ago, on the anniversary of the Christchurch attack, but was forced to stay here and was wondering how best to commemorate the moment.
We caught up again early last week, to talk about how he’s handling the current pandemic. Suleiman—the resident scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center in Irving, founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research in Las Colinas, and professor of Islamic studies at SMU—sounded exhausted when he picked up the phone, but seemed to gain strength through the rest of the conversation. Which, in turn, gave me strength, as it always does. A transcript, lightly edited for clarity, follows. I’ll have more of these in the coming weeks.
But, first, a prayer.

 
How’s it going with you? It’s good. Just nonstop. I think everyone’s in the same situation. It’s been interesting. I’m just trying to help people stay optimistic. It’s hard, though. It’s hard to validate people’s pain, but at the same time, you know, trying to help them see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a tough time to sort of adjust our pastoral capacity or put it to the test, you know?
Just the amount of stuff you have to take in now with something like this happening, on top of everything else. Yeah. So I’m worried about my dad. I mean, I think that’s the main thing. I think everyone’s worried about their own elderly folks, more than anything else. My dad’s 77, moved to Dallas last year, he lives down the street. So trying to keep him safe and protected, as much as possible.
Of course. So balancing that with everything else is something else. But, all things considered, we’re doing a lot better than the vast majority of people. So just grateful and trying to do as much as we can for everybody else.
How have you seen things change with, you know, having to keep a distance from the people who worship alongside you—or you used to, at least in the past weeks? How’s it different to do what you do with not being able to be around people? Yeah, it’s obviously—I mean, I think like with everyone else, it’s tough. It’s particularly difficult because for the elderly that were coming to the mosque on a daily basis, the mosque was also their only social outlet.
Yeah. So we have to think about how to do more than just send out texts. In my case, I’m doing my three webinars a day, you know, but I realize I need to just actually schedule every day, just call five people, FaceTime them, or try to do some kind of Zoom or Skype or whatever it is just to, just to give them some level of social comfort, you know?
To find some kind of normalcy. So that’s been the main thing. It’s been really on the minds of every Muslim here is what’s going to happen with Ramadan? It’s exactly a month away.
Oh, right. I didn’t even think about that. Ramadan is what the whole year is about.
Of course. I think that for us, that’s been what’s occupying the minds of people is, you know, what Ramadan is going to be like. What I anticipate is that as more people actually start to feel the pain of this thing beyond just being quarantined, you know, as we have more deaths in the community, which is inevitable, that’s where the focus will shift. So right now it’s more about the loss of spiritual privileges, less about the amount of spiritual pain that people are feeling. Once this really settles in and I think we see the full consequences of this virus, that’s when I think it’s going to hit the community harder. I know that from speaking to a lot of Muslims that are in New York and New Jersey right now, where we’ve already had several deaths and some of them have been Muslim and not being able to do the funeral prayer properly. So while we’ve been sort of consumed here with not being able to do the Friday prayer, in places where there have been more deaths, they’d been consumed with not being able to be the funeral prayer. And I think that that reality is gonna dawn upon us very soon and, you know, just pray we’re able to learn from those that are going through right now.
You said you’re doing three webinars a day. What are you doing in those? I’ll do like a nightly reflection. I log on every night at 8 o’clock. I’m recording a bunch of different talks and series to be used for Ramadan. I do a Friday sermon online, but it’s not the actual replacement of the Friday sermon. It’s just to give people that connection on Friday that they typically would have had with a sermon. And, you know, I’m just trying to make myself available to all the different organizations that are out there. Practically every Muslim organization right now is organizing some sort of webinar, especially the nonprofits that are at risk of going under because of this, not being able to pay staff. Ramadan is the main fundraising season for every Muslim nonprofit. So that’s another dynamic to this. It’s not just the financial pain with the rising unemployment rates and, you know, everything else that all other Americans are going to feel, but Muslim nonprofits relying on Ramadan to give them their annual funding. And so that’s not going to happen. So a lot of these Muslim nonprofits are doing webinars constantly, which offers some sort of spiritual component, but also just, you know, I think that they’re trying to—they’re asking people to continue to support them.
A sort of virtual Ramadan. I’ve been just trying to make myself available to all those organizations. Like I said, I’m considering the 8 o’clock reflection at night one of the webinars, but it’s not really a webinar. It’s more just like a Facebook Live. And I’ll do—like, I did two webinars today for two different organizations. On top of that, I’m just making a point to call five people a day, you know, and just check up on random people in the community. And I’m also trying to, you know, work with some of these charity organizations that rely on Ramadan for their annual funding are doing incredible work and community right now. And it would be the worst time to lose them.
So, I’ve been trying to support, volunteering with a few of the organizations that are out here—and they’re not necessarily just Muslim organizations. CitySquare. Ma’Ruf Dallas is an incredible organization. They do refugee work. They’re getting all the groceries and the medical needs and keeping tabs on the refugees that are here. And if you want to talk about people that have no idea how to handle the situation right now, it’s them, right? These are people that, a lot of them don’t speak English, have multiple special needs children, widows, and they’ve just been washing dishes in the backs of restaurants and they have no idea what to do if they get sick. They have no idea how to handle the basic necessities. So I’ve been helping Ma’Ruf Dallas, working with those refugees, dropping off boxes on a daily basis, just leaving them.
And then there’s ICNA Relief—Islamic Circles North America—which operates 36 food pantries around the country, and they operate one here in Dallas. And what’s great about them is that they just do sweeps of neighborhoods. So they go through different neighborhoods of Dallas every day. Check up on the elderly with focus on some of the lower-income neighborhoods, you know, and just deliver aid packages. So I’ve been trying to support them, as much as I can.
And then lastly, we’ve been doing a weekly—I shouldn’t say we’ve been doing; we just started this past Sunday—what’s going to be sort of a weekly sit down, about the state of faith in Dallas. This last Sunday we talked about hunger and food insecurity. I think this next Sunday we’re going to talk about fear. So it’s sort of how all of our communities are uniquely impacted by this and then what, what our communities are doing to contribute to the solution. And then how the listeners can also be a part of those efforts. That’s something we intend to keep on doing.
I guess it’s really valuable is that you’ve already, you know, had those pretty strong connections with all the different faith leaders they’ve built over the last few years. Yeah. And you know what I’m afraid of? What I’m afraid of is that because every community is sorta hunkering down with its own right now, I’m afraid that we’re actually going to lose some of that interfaith cooperation, a spirit that we’ve had, over the last few years.
Really? So I what I told my wife on Sunday. I was like, all right, I’m going to church. You know, we laugh about all the time because she’s like, you go to church more than you go to the mosque. Because you know, that’s, that’s just what we’ve had, right? Is going to churches, going to synagogues. We’ve been deeply involved in each other’s communities. But right now we’re all sort of having to hunker down, back into our own communities and provide for the needs of our mosques, churches, and synagogues. So that’s why I think we were like, you know what, let’s keep making that connection on a regular basis so that we don’t lose that interfaith expression that so desperately needed. I’m really worried about that, like if this thing goes on for a year or so.
Yeah, that makes sense. And that could really fracture. Not that it would cause us not to love each other anymore, but it’s just become so regular now, that our communities work together. It would be hard, as we’re recovering in our own unique ways, to reestablish those connections.

Is there a particular, you know, passage or verse that you’ve found yourself turning to a bit more over this past week, two weeks? There have been a few. But the one that I keep on—I have it right in front of me. So it’s actually from the story of the prophet Joseph in the Quran, when he talks about verily God will place with every hardship ease. And so I think that that’s just the idea that in, you know, in Islam—there are two verses. They’re very similar. “Indeed with hardship comes ease.” The verse does not say after hardship comes ease. The verse says with hardship comes ease, which means two things: that as a hardship has been decreed, the ease has already been decreed alongside it. And the second thing is that, within every hardship, if we look close enough, you’ll find ease, and you’ll find you’ll find an opportunity to be ease to someone—to be the facilitator or the one through whom God’s mercy is facilitated.
So to actually seek to be people’s ease in these moments. Something that’s been sitting with me—and I was, like, we constantly worry about our own prayers being answered and we don’t think enough about being the answer to someone else’s prayer. And like when you call someone who has been neglected, who’s alone, who’s afraid, and it’s just as simple as FaceTiming them and like, Hey, just wanted to check up on you, how you doing? And make a lighthearted joke and like, you can see like that person needed that. That’s a lifeline for them, you know. So there’s the food and the aid and the basic necessity and obviously the financial hardship that people are going to encounter. But loneliness was already attendant within our society. So that loneliness is only going to be further compounded now.
So to be the reason that someone else smiles in these hard times is very special. And I actually did my nightly reflection, I believe three nights ago, was on that. That the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said a smile in the face of your brother is a charity. And what I talked about was what’s a greater charity than smiling in the face of your brother is giving your brother reason to smile. The prophet Muhammad said that the most beloved of actions to God is that you bring joy to the heart of your brother, or that you feed him a loaf of bread, or that you do away with one of the debts. So in that order, you know, eating a loaf bread or doing away with the debt, you know, that’s very easily quantifiable. But the first action that he said requires no money at all. It’s to make someone smile.
It doesn’t take much. To actually bring joy to someone’s heart that would cause them to smile. So I keep on thinking about that and just how much people need it right now
Article Courtesy: dmagazine.com

As the coronavirus causes real disruption to the lives of New Jerseyans, some residents will be disproportionately affected and many service agencies will be critically impacted.

According to Matthew Howard, co-owner of the Iselin-based Howard Center for Wellness, “Whenever there is an incident or disaster, there is a desire to help.” Howard said that people are often quick to put themselves in another person’s position and ask “‘how would I feel if it were me?’, ‘who is in need?’ and ‘is there any way I can make an impact?’.”

And, Howard said the act of giving not only benefits those on the receiving end. “Altruism has a benefit for the person doing the good; we get reward from saying ‘I was able to be effective, to contribute in some way.’”

For those so inclined, there are opportunities to assist those with the greatest need.

This resource guide includes service agencies that are accepting assistance. Readers are encouraged to check back frequently, as the list will be updated regularly. To add your nonprofit organization to the guide, email lobrien@njadvancemedia.com.

STATEWIDE

The American Red Cross

According to the American Red Cross website (https://www.redcross.org/), there is a “severe blood shortage due to the coronavirus outbreak.” For more information, go to the organization’s site.

Feeding America

https://www.feedingamerica.org/

This nonprofit’s mission is to “feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.”

Operation Homefront

1355 Central Parkway S, Suite 100

San Antonio, TX 78232

The nonprofit offers short-term and critical financial assistance, long-term stability and recurring support programs to military families. Operation Homefront president and CEO Gen. John I. Pray Jr. writes on the nonprofit’s website, “As our nation works to cope with the many unknowns, we are grateful for the continued support of those who are very likely facing their own challenges. Simply put, we could not do what we do to support this very special and deserving group of our fellow citizens without your various contributions to our important work. Working together, as we have done for so many years, I know we will be able to help our military families – and each other – as we deal with this crisis.”

The Salvation Army

A statement on the Salvation Army of New Jersey website reads: “We are anticipating, and planning for, an increase in need. Our corps community centers are prepared to assist those in need of emergency services, which includes our feeding programs. With the disproportionate risk to the senior population we are conducting an outreach to senior citizens in communities to ensure that they stay safe and that they have necessary provisions.” Donations can be made on the website.

ESSEX COUNTY

Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity NJ (MEND NJ)

862-250-5216

info@MENDNJ.org

Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity NJ, also known as MEND NJ, is a not-for-profit organization that supports a network of 20 member food pantries throughout Essex County. The organization leverages volunteers, donors and other partners throughout the community. “During this crisis, needs are changing on a daily basis at each of our member pantries. To ensure the greatest impact and see how you can help, go to the organization’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/mendnj/. Donations can be made online at https://mendnj.org.

Jersey Cares

290 West Mount Pleasant Ave., Suite 1320

Livingston, NJ 07039

973-533-1993

info@jerseycares.org

Jersey Cares, a nonprofit organization established in 1993, partners with local nonprofits to identify needs and implement volunteer projects to meet these needs. In light of the current health climate, Jersey Cares has created a “Community Response Team” to “respond to needs as they arise.”

For those who have never volunteered with Jersey Cares before, go to https://www.jerseycares.org/ and select the login button in the upper right corner to create a Jersey Cares Volunteer Profile. At the bottom of the registration page, under Additional Information, please check the box, “Yes, receive information on Community Response Team” to register and receive updates on opportunities to provide support.

HUDSON COUNTY

Angela Cares Inc.

439 MLK Drive

Jersey City, N.J. 07304

800-795-8819

The goal of this nonprofit is to “strengthen communities by enhancing the quality of life through empowering our seniors, their caregivers, and the youth.” The group’s mission is to “serve as an advocate and support system for senior citizens, a support system for senior caregivers and a mentor to the youth by educating and empowering them to volunteer.” For more information, go to http://angelacares.org/get-involved/volunteer/.

HUNTERDON COUNTY

Flemington Food Pantry

P.O. Box 783

Flemington, NJ 08822

The Flemington Area Food Pantry provides food and personal care items to needy Hunterdon County families regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background.

The pantry reports, “We are going to have need for volunteers and supplies. But, now, because things are changing on a daily basis, we are referring people to our Facebook page, where we will share what manpower/supply needs we have.”

Hunterdon Healthcare

2100 Wescott Drive

Flemington, NJ 08822

Hunterdon Healthcare has established a COVID-19 Support Fund. All donations will be used in Hunterdon Healthcare’s Coronavirus disease response efforts and help those affected in the community.

Donate Supplies

• N95 masks
• eye goggles
• surgical gloves
• sterile gowns
• comfortable and washable footwear (CROCS/adult sizes),
• video baby monitors
• Food donations for staff (please coordinate with Hunterdon Healthcare so that supply matches the needs)

Donate Blood

To schedule an appointment, call 908-788-6405 or email Cconroy@hhsnj.org.

Call the Hunterdon Healthcare Foundation 908-788-6141 for all donations of physical items to coordinate drop-off. A staff member will meet individuals at an agreed-upon location on the Hunterdon Medical Center campus to accept donations.

MERCER COUNTY

Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey

808 W. State St.

Trenton, N.J. 08618

According to Steve Welch, Canon for Communications, “We are putting together a list of volunteer opportunities and materials needed at our various essential ministries for the homeless and the hungry. At the moment, we’re asking for monetary donations for our “Jubilee Ministries” and have set up a page on our COVID-19 resources site: coronavirus.dioceseofnj.org. This is where we’ll list materials needed and volunteer opportunities, I hope early in the week.”

HomeFront

1880 Princeton Ave.

Lawrenceville, N.J. 08648 – 4518

609-989-9417

homefront@homefrontnj.org

HomeFront is a nonprofit agency providing a network of services for the poor and homeless in Mercer County, including Princeton, Lawrenceville, Ewing and Trenton. HomeFront programs provide emergency shelter and transitional and affordable housing. The organization’s mission is to meet the immediate needs of food, shelter and safety and to help the troubled families break from the cycle of poverty. HomeFront works with single mothers, single fathers and families with histories of domestic violence, child abuse, drug abuse and intergenerational welfare. The organization also works with families who “just cannot make ends meet.” HomeFront programs support literacy, education and employment for both children and parents.

HomeFront, via its website, reports the following needs:

• If you are already out shopping for necessities or are able to shop online, consider a donation of “our most needed items” including: diapers (sizes 4, 5, 6 and Pull-Ups/Easy Ups in all sizes), baby wipes, canned goods (chicken/tuna, ravioli, beef stew, soup, and fruit), baby formula, dry cereal, and shelf stable milk (Horizon/Natrel/Parmalat or powdered milk).
• HomeFront has already spent more than $25,000 in unanticipated and unbudgeted expenses related to preparations for COVID-19. To make a donation, visit www.homefrontnj.org/donate or call 609-989-9417, ext. 107.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Catholic Charities

319 Maple St, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

732-324-8200

The nonprofit Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, is “dedicated to service, quality and outreach for members of the community, especially those who are poor, devalued and in need of help”. Catholic Charities’ programs focus on “the value of family, individual knowledge and the right of every client to be treated with dignity and respect.”

As of March 14, Catholic Charities website indicates that “full services remain available.” The site does not currently list specific volunteer or donation needs.

Elijah’s Promise Community Kitchen & Social Services

211 Livingston Ave.

New Brunswick, N.J. 08901 (mailing address)

Elijah’s Promise “harnesses the power of food to break the cycle of poverty, alleviate hunger, and change lives.” The organization works to end hunger by serving food at its community soup kitchen, providing education and jobs in the food industry through its Promise Culinary School, and encouraging neighborhood agriculture with its community garden.

According to an emergency message posted on the nonprofit’s website, Executive Director Michelle Wilson wrote, “If you are like most people, you are probably busy stocking your pantry in anticipation of the increasing possibility of a 14-day quarantine, due to the rapidly spreading Coronavirus.

“Unfortunately, the people who depend on Elijah’s Promise for food do not have that luxury. They feel lucky when they have enough food from day-to-day, let alone enough for two weeks.

“In the last ten days, we have spent over $25,000 on emergency supplies including food, new freezers, and sanitation supplies. We need your help to continue these efforts.

“Not only that, due to the economic impact of the Coronavirus, we expect a dramatic increase in the number of people who need meals, as the economic downturn will certainly impact those at risk.”

Sammy’s Hope Animal Welfare & Adoption Center

P.O Box 7281

North Brunswick, N.J. 08902

The nonprofit Sammy’s Hope, with an animal adoption center in Sayreville, is temporarily closed to public walk-in visits. However, animals are still available for adoption. All adoptable animals can be found online  for dogs and for cats.

And, since Sammy’s Hope fundraising events have been suspended, monetary donations are “very much appreciated.” Donations can be made through via the website or mailed to us at P.O. Box 7281 North Brunswick, N.J. 08902.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties

4814 Outlook Drive, Suite 107

Wall Township, N.J. 07753

732-938-5988

info@uwmoc.org

United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties “mobilizes donors, volunteers and community partners to improve the lives of youth and their families.”

MORRIS COUNTY

Community Hope

959 Route 46 East, Suite 402

Parsippany, N.J. 07054

973-463-9600

Community Hope was founded in 1985 by families of young adults whose lives were impacted by severe depression and other debilitating mental illnesses. The residential programs and support services were expanded in 2001 to reach homeless veterans struggling with mental health issues and combat-induced trauma.

Today, Community Hope is the leading nonprofit in and around New Jersey serving needy veterans and at-risk veteran families. The organization’s residential programs provide a “safe haven” and essential services each day to hundreds of homeless veterans, aging-out youth and adults struggling with mental health issues. Since 1985, we have restored hope to thousands.

Eleventh Hour Rescue

P.O. Box 218

Rockaway, N.J. 07866

https://www.ehrdogs.org/

The nonprofit Eleventh Hour Rescue focuses on saving animals from kill shelters, fostering them until they are adopted.

According to the nonprofit, “A lot of people have stepped up (to be fosterers) because they are home, but we can always use more.” Those interested can fill out a foster application at https://www.ehrdogs.org/info/display?PageID=10971.

Eleventh Hour Rescue also reports “we can always use donations.” For a list of the items needed, go to https://www.ehrdogs.org/info/display?PageID=17498.

Family Promise of Morris County

P.O. Box 1494

Morristown, N.J. 07962

973-998-0820

Family Promise of Morris County is a non-sectarian, not-for-profit organization “dedicated to ending the crisis of homelessness faced by Morris County families by partnering with other public and private agencies, religious congregations and community volunteers to provide shelter, case management and mentoring services leading to self-sufficiency.”

Although specific need has not be indicated on the organization website, donations can be made online.

NewBridge Services Inc.

1259 Route 46 East, Building 2

Parsippany, N.J. 07054

NewBridge is a nonprofit that works to help about 8,000 people of every age and background “overcome challenges and live better.” Headquartered in Pequannock Township, the organization has locations throughout Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties. Services include adult and family counseling, substance abuse treatment and addiction recovery, play therapy for young children, school-based prevention programs, youth employment and education services, adult day treatment programs, and outreach to the elderly. To donate, go to www.newbridge.org

nourish.NJ

36 South St.

Morristown, N.J. 07960

973-267-0709

nourishnj.org

nourish.NJ is a nonprofit organization that works to create lasting solutions to the problems of hunger, homelessness and poverty. The organization offers food, housing, work readiness, medical, social and educational services 365 days a year in a “warm, safe and caring environment, free of charge, no questions asked.” The organization is in need of need of monetary contributions. Donations can be made by going to https://nourishnj.org/how-to-help/donate/financial-support.html.

PASSAIC COUNTY

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson

777 Valley Road

Clifton, N.J. 07013

The mission of Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson and its agencies is to “provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.” A statement on the Catholic Charities website reads, “We recognize that this is an evolving situation, and our action plan will continue to evolve with the changing environment. We assure you that we will work tirelessly to help those most in need.”

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson is accepting monetary donations and donations of food. To help, do go www.ccpaterson.org/corona.

Eva’s Village

393 Main St.

Paterson, N.J. 07501

973-523-6220

https://www.evasvillage.org/

Eva’s Village is a faith-based, nonprofit social services organization. The nonprofit works to help individuals struggling with poverty, addiction and mental illness. Programs address basic needs, such as food and shelter, and more complex issues around addiction, mental illness, chronic homelessness, and lack of job training.

SOMERSET COUNTY

Food Bank Network of Somerset County

P.O. Box 149

Bound Brook, N.J. 08805

732-560-1830

The mission of The Food Bank Network is to “distribute food and to provide other basic human needs to those less fortunate in the community in a manner which recognizes and advances self worth and human dignity.” The method of distributing this food is through three food pantries, located in Somerville, Bound Brook, and North Plainfield, and a warehouse in Bridgewater.

SHIP — Samaritan Homeless Interim Program

87 East High St.

Somerville, N.J. 08876

908-393-9545

SHIP908@Optonline.net

SHIP is a faith based, interfaith and community funded, assisted and supported, grassroots organization. The organization works to “create programs and services that increase the Somerset County and surrounding regions capacity to respond to the needs of the poor and working poor.” Clients include those who suffer from homelessness or “being near homeless.” Many are hungry or suffer from substance abuse dependency, HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, or neglect and isolation.

According to SHIP executive director Tom O’Leary, during the COVID-19 crisis, “S.O.S. will be feeding the needy not the fear.”

For those looking to offer a financial donation to assist SHIP in purchasing the necessary items, make checks payable to SHIP (COVID-19 in the memo line). Checks may be mailed to SHIP, 87 East High St., Somerville, NJ 08876.

In addition to financial donations, the following items are needed:

• 9-inch to go containers with no separators
• 6-inch to go containers
• To go bags
• Cleaning products
• Food in pop top packaging and microwaveable items.

Somerset County Office of Emergency Management

@ Somerset County Public Works Garage

410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough N.J. 08844

https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/public-health-safety/emergency-management

The Somerset County’s Office of Emergency Management is asking nonessential businesses to donate personal protective equipment supplies for the benefit of RWJ University Hospital-Somerset and local first responders.

The types of PPE being requested include:

• Nitrile gloves (any size)
• Coveralls / tyvek suits / medical gowns (any sizes)
• Face shields / Goggles
• N95 masks
• P100 masks / Air Purifying Respirators

Only unexpired items will be accepted.

A drop off location will be set up at the Somerset County Public Works Garage, located at 410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough 08844. Drop offs will be accepted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., starting Monday, March 23. Donations will be accepted through Friday, March 28.

All employees and volunteers working at the drop-off location will be practicing social distancing and maintaining a space of six feet or more. Donors are asked to observe the same precautions.

ICNA Relief USA (Muslims for Humanity)

1320 Hamilton St., Somerset NJ 08873

ICNA Relief provides social services across the U.S. to the underprivileged and those affected by natural disasters. Services are made possible through contributions from donors and volunteers like you.

To donate, visit https://www.icnarelief.org/coronavirus. To inquiry about volunteer opportunities, go to http://bit.ly/coronavolunteer

SUSSEX COUNTY

Family Promise of Sussex County

19 Church St.

Newton, N.J.

973-579-1180

Incorporated in 1997, Family Promise of Sussex County has provided services to assist families and single men and women as they work toward housing stability and self-sufficiency. The mission of the agency is to serve homeless families by:

• Uniting Local Congregations and Community Resources to Provide Shelter and Meals
• Working with Families to Overcome Barriers to Self-Sufficiency
• Advocating for Local Affordable Housing Solution.

UNION COUNTY

Gateway Family YMCA

144 Madison Ave.

Elizabeth, N.J. 07201

The nonprofit Gateway Family YMCA is a health and community service organization that works to strengthen the foundations of community.

In response to the coronavirus, the Gateway Family YMCA has “increased resources in order to continue to provide essential housing and social services in Elizabeth and Plainfield.” The Gateway Family YMCA reported, “With an increased need for emergency shelter, The Gateway Family YMCA has targeted its focus to ensure the 24-hour housing services remain fully operational with the strongest precautions as directed by local, state and federal government and health officials, in order to protect residents and staff at this time.”

Gateway Family YMCA CEO Krystal R. Canady stated, “Our commitment to the community remains strong, as we understand the vital need for shelter of those who remain homeless during this worldwide health crisis. This is what we do every day and we intend to continue to support our vulnerable population 24 hours a day through this uncertain time, following official recommendations.”

“The work we are doing makes such a difference in the lives of those we serve every day. Each evening, we host approximately 300 individuals who call the YMCA home,” said Melynda A. Mileski, EVP/COO. “At this time, our focus is on the health and safety of our current housing residents and staff members in all facilities, including those who may join us because of a current need.” In response to the increased costs for food, supplies, cleaning and staffing, the Gateway Family YMCA is accepting donations to support its housing programs at www.tgfymca.org.

SAGE Eldercare, Summit

290 Broad St.

Summit, N.J. 07901

Since 1954, the Summit-based nonprofit SAGE Eldercare has provided information, support and services “designed to help individuals lead the most independent and active lives possible.” From helping with errands, to exercise classes, community programs, care planning, and home health care, SAGE works to help older adults remain independent in their own homes. SAGE provides programs and services to older adults, their families, and caregivers throughout Union, Essex, Morris, and Somerset counties.

SAGE’s communication manager Cindy Potter said of the assistance program team, “Even if they don’t need extra volunteers now, they very well may soon enough” for Meals on Wheels and Errand Services. For volunteer opportunities, call 908-598-5514

United Way of Greater Union County

33 W Grand St.

Elizabeth, N.J. 07202

The mission of the United Way of Greater Union County is to “improve lives and build strong communities by uniting individuals and organizations with the will, passion, expertise, and resources needed to solve problems.” The organization is committed to “changing the odds so that all children and their families, regardless of their circumstances, have the same chance to succeed in school and in life.”

The UWGUC has established a COVID19 Emergency Fund to assist struggling Union County residents financially impacted by the outbreak. The fund will assist families who are out of work or, who are working less hours due to government mandated closures of businesses and schools; did not have benefits or resources to weather the crisis; incurred other debt related to COVID19 (i.e. childcare expenses because schools are closed); are low-income, hourly wage earners, individuals without employer benefits such as paid time off. To donate to the fund, go online. For more information, call 908-353-7171.

Community FoodBank of New Jersey

31 Evans Terminal

Hillside, N.J. 07205

908-355-3663

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey works to “fight hunger and poverty in New Jersey by assisting those in need and seeking long-term solutions.” According to the organization’s website, “We engage, educate and empower all sectors of society in the battle. Working together with volunteers, donors and our many partners, we work to fill the emptiness caused by hunger with Food, Help and Hope.”

Carlos M. Rodriguez, president and CEO, Community FoodBank of New Jersey remarked, “Many of our neighbors in need are already feeling the economic impact of COVID-19, while others find themselves struggling perhaps for the first time.

“Continued support is needed for those we serve, now more than ever. With your help, CFBNJ is working to ensure access to nutritious food for vulnerable individuals and families and to meet the additional need that is likely to arise due to the virus. We are also working to create emergency meal kits with nonperishable proteins, vegetables, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal and snack items–enough food to sustain a family for several days.

“It will take the goodness and generosity of others to truly make a difference in the lives of struggling New Jerseyans during the pandemic.”

According to the Community FoodBank, monetary donations are “absolutely the best way to help right now. Monetary donations allow CFBNJ to purchase key products in large quantities and serve more people per dollar.” Additionally, “at this time, CFBNJ is closed for volunteers to limit person-to-person contact. However, the need for volunteers is anticipated “once it is safe to do so.”

WARREN COUNTY

NORWESCAP

Corporate Office

350 Marshall St.

Phillipsburg, N.J. 08865

contactus@norwescap.org

908-454-7000

NORWESCAP is a private, nonprofit corporation, established in 1965, serving the low-income population in Northwest New Jersey. The nonprofit offers a “comprehensive array” of strategies, programs, and services to create opportunities and change lives.

According to Helene Meissner, NORWESCAP Food Bank director, “Right now we’ve got a lot of food; two weeks from now, that won’t be the case, that’s when people will panic, get frustrated and need assistance. If people want to drop off food, we’ll need cereal and soups that will go in emergency bags.” She added, “Monetary donations go a long way; that way we can get exactly what we need such as meat, eggs, perishables.”

Organizations seeking donations

The New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund (NJPRF) has been established to support organizations that provide essential services to people in need and to assist those on the front lines of the fight against the COVID-19 crisis.

Other major organizations accepting donations to provide aid during the coronavirus pandemic include:

• American Red Cross
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
• Community FoodBank of New Jersey
• Feeding America
• Food for the Poor
• Meals on Wheels
• Operation Homefront
• NORWESCAP
• Salvation Army
• United Way

Article Courtesy: nj.com

By Khurram Shahzad
While getting gas in a rest area at New Jersey Turnpike, I asked the guy, Shahzaib Malik, who was filling up my car tank, aren’t you scared of Coronavirus? Of course, I am but I can’t stay home so I am here and working, Shahzaib replied sadly.

What if you get the virus, I asked him promptly? I don’t know, I don’t have medical insurance, I usually get cold and get the flu when the weather changes, maybe I will die home thinking it is a common flu, he answered while scratching his foot on the ground.
As the coronavirus is rapidly expanding across America, there is a growing concern that low-income residents, people in poverty and undocumented residents may suffer disproportionately – directly, by getting sick, and indirectly, through disruptions to their work lives. In America, there are more than 13 million undocumented residents and, among them, more than 60% are living without any health coverages. Similarly, 23% of legal immigrants do not have any medical coverage, according to a 2019 report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Today, if you walk into any medical facility and you don’t have medical insurance, you must pay the minimum cost which is $1300 to get tested for Coronavirus.
Most of the low-wage jobs in retail and service industries do not provide sick paid leave. The rigid workplace environments that prevent immigrants from reporting their illnesses. For those living paycheck to paycheck, it’s difficult to voluntarily take time off when a week’s wages could make a difference in their ability to pay rent.
They often live doubled and tripled up in unstable households where people frequently move in and out. They must rely on public transportation, which can hasten exposure or spread infection, health and poverty experts say.
Further, as schools are closed and the source of free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch is cut off, the costs and stress to parents and children increase. If shuttered schools conduct online classes, many low-income students will be left out because they have no computers. One of the parents must take time off from work to be home with the kid which means more financial difficulties.
I visited a homeless shelter in Herndon, Virginia to get first-hand information about prevention exercises and I was shocked that “freehand sanitizer spray puff” was the only prevention method they were using. A staff member told me that they had been talking to those gathered at the service center about how to avoid exposure to coronavirus and had emphasized washing hands. It is the best we can do with limited resources, said the staff.
On Feb 24, President Trump passed a bill about immigration which makes it harder for immigrants to obtain a green card if they’ve sought government help – which includes any form of government health care. Since then, people had been dropping out of Medicaid as the Covid-19 cases began to surface in early March.
Moreover, as we have seen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has speedup its operations in recent years which has created an atmosphere of fear, undocumented immigrants are hesitant to go to any health care facilities in fear of being reported, even though community clinics are safe places that do not ask for citizenship status.
As a society, we have accepted and have no issues that there are so many in our community who are uninsured, underinsured, undocumented and unable to take sick leave
New York, Washington, and California have waived this cost using the state’s special funding. For US citizens and permanent residents, any tests performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are free. Medicaid and Medicare will cover testing costs.
For low-income families, especially the immigrants, prevention and testing of Covid-19 isn’t something they can take for granted. In California, for example, where the government is participating in treatment, it will cost up to $200 for uninsured patients to get tested for the Coronavirus, which means they wouldn’t be able to buy groceries, pay phone bills, etc. for the next two weeks.
Over time, Immigrant communities have set up their own workarounds for such situations. Muslim Community Center (MCC) clinic in Maryland is providing 100% free medical services without asking the patient’s citizenship status. Similarly, the Jewish community has its free medical facilities in Brooklyn, New York. But the fact of the matter is, there’s only so much these clinics can do, however, without further support at the federal level.
After President Trump declared a national emergency, I reached out to the Embassy of Pakistan to inquire about actions the embassy has taken to safeguard the lives of Pakistani students, visitors and others living with different resident statuses. I was given few tweets of the Ambassador AsadMajeed Khan which were primarily about embassy visa services during this outbreak, some canceled events/meetings and precautions that could be used including the use of online services. There was nothing mentioned about communication or coordination with the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) who is very active when it comes to a crisis like this. Maybe the embassy is not required to do so.
“Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) is one of the biggest Muslim charity and disaster response organizations. We have been releasing awareness videos, distributing hand sanitizers and related kits free of costs”, said ICNA’s director information and outreach Moviz Siddique.
In my opinion, as a society, we have accepted and have no issues that there are so many in our community who are uninsured, underinsured, undocumented and unable to take sick leave. We are also okay with the fact that these families and individuals without access to any healthcare are going to get sicker, are going to spread the disease more frequently because they’re not getting care or isolating or getting diagnosed and treated. As we are witnessing its sweep across nations, the coronavirus is exposing flaws in our “civilized society’s system”. If the freedom of information is a problem in China, then inequalities and the massive disparities in the way people are treated depending on their economic circumstances and their immigration status is the reality of America. The coronavirus, of course, does not discriminate on those grounds and having large sections of society being unable to see a doctor is suddenly in focus as not just being bad for the individuals themselves, but for the country a whole.
The writer is a technology expert who is working with US government based in Washington DC
Article Courtesy: Dailytimes.com.pk

[NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 27, 2019] – The New York chapter of ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA CSJ-NY) and other human rights and social justice organizations joined a coalition of over 20,000 protesters in front of the United Nations building in New York City to oppose the Indian government’s renewed oppression of Kashmiris.

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several world leaders addressed the UN General Assembly during the largest protests ever witnessed against India. The protest was also co-sponsored by CAIR-NJ, the IAMC and other interfaith and civil rights organizations. Protesters appealed to elected officials to raise their voice against India’s oppression of Kashmir including an end to the curfew and withdrawal of its army.
ICNA CSJ took the lead in establishing coordination between different organizations. Regular meetings were organized for the past 6 weeks including at ICNA Headquarters. ICNA volunteers came from all over the country to help with the arrangements. Buses were organized from nearby states and hundreds of T-Shirts were distributed. All support for the arrangements was provided by the local American community and no support from overseas organizations or individuals was taken.

Massive Protests Held Against Modi Outside UN Headquarters in New York

By Caravan News
NEW YORK – Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing the UN General Assembly on Friday, hundreds of Indian Americans and Kashmiris along with US rights groups held a protest against the violence against minorities and Dalits and the BJP government’s clampdown on Kashmir outside the UN headquarters in New York.

The protest was attended by many leading activists and academics including prominent historian and academic professor Audrey Truschke and Sunita Vishwanath, co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights.
Addressing the protesters, Prof Truschke, who teaches South Asian history at Rutgers Newark University, slammed the Bharatiya Janata party and Hindutva groups for admiring Hitler. She said that Hindutva supporters openly admire Hitler and they supported the treatment meted out to Jews by Hitler in Germany.
The protesters were raising slogans of freedom from Brahmanism, RSS, Hindutva and casteism.
The lead organiser for the protest, the Coalition Against Fascism in India (CAFI), said that the Modi government had been “orchestrating a pogrom of hate and violence against Muslims and Dalits in India,” and had “disenfranchised seven million Kashmiris”. Referring to the NRC exercise, the statement added that the Modi government had “rendered nearly two million people stateless in Assam and is building detention centres to imprison them”.
Describing the Modi government as “anti-poor” and “anti-minority”, they also drew attention to the government’s crackdown on all forms of dissent and all those who question its politics of hate.

“Its economic policies have resulted in escalating poverty and the highest unemployment rate in half a century. These events in India concerns all of us who live in the United States,” the protesters said in their press statement.
Calling Hindutva “a bigoted political ideology with many victims”, Truschke maintained that India’s religious minorities had faced increasing disenfranchisement and violence under Modi’s tenure and that the government had attacked the media, academics and others who had dared to speak out.
“The Modi government has been clear in its message that criticising, or even merely accurately describing, Hindutva comes with increasing risks, which makes the scale and diversity of the current protests all the more astonishing. I urge global leaders to listen, not only to Modi, but to those he has not yet managed to silence,” Truschke said.

The national general secretary of the Indian American Muslim Council, Mohammad Jawad, said that the Modi government followed the RSS’s Hindutva ideology which was responsible for all atrocities and lynchings against minorities. “We are not anti-India or anti-Hindu. We are only demanding basic human rights that the Constitution of India guarantees for all citizens,” he said.
Sunita Viswanath, co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights, said that the government was destroying Indian democracy in the name of Hinduism. “As Hindus, as Indians, and as people of conscience, we say ‘Not In Our Name’,” Viswanath said.
Hawk Newsome, chairman of Black Lives Matter Greater New York, said, “We stand united against governments that exploit the most vulnerable.”

James Sues, executive director at the Council on America-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in New Jersey, said that the Modi government had “illegally stripped” the people of Kashmir of their autonomy. “We call on world leaders of conscience to reject the fascist agenda of Mr. Modi and the BJP and stand with the marginalised minorities of India,” Sues said.
CAFI has demanded that the Modi government restore Article 370, end Kashmir’s “military occupation” and respect Kashmiris’ right to decide their own future. It has also demanded the repeal of the Public Safety Act and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, the termination of the National Register of Citizens and an end to the lynchings of Dalits, Muslims and Adivasis.

The organisation also called for the freeing of political prisoners like Professor G.N. Saibaba and those in the Bhima Koregaon case, and has demanded the withdrawal of “false cases” against anti-caste activists such as Anand Teltumbde.
The protest was co-sponsored by the Alliance for a Democratic and Secular South Asia, Hindus for Human Rights, India Civil Watch and Indian American Muslim Council. The protest has also been endorsed by several organisations and groups including Black Lives Matter (Greater New Y0rk), Democracy, Equality and Secularism in South Asia (DESSA), Winnipeg; India Civil Watch (ICW-Canada) and the Jewish Voice for Peace NYC.