GETTING READY FOR A SEASON TO GIVE 

With the federal elections behind us, MCN is gearing up for the season to give. To begin with, we're excited to launch a new COVID-19 Relief Fund with the generous support of grants from the Robin Hood Foundation and Islamic Relief USA. These grants are helping support the operations and direct cash-assistance of MCN's COVID-19 Hotline to help New Yorkers in need. With renewed funds, we are going to be able to help some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers, including the un-documented, widows, and families who are home-bound and at-risk of eviction. Therefore, please share our hotline number widely amongst your networks for those in need. 



MCN also started its youth fellowship program on November 3rd, the Muslim Youth NYC program! We're so excited to welcome 15 new students into our cohort from eight different schools throughout NYC. Our MYNYC fellows will be embarking on a year-long program that will introduce them to civic engagement and organizing on the issues they care about the most. 


  

As usual, we held multiple community events over the past couple of weeks. I want to make sure you have a chance to view the incredible conversations. First was our youth-led civic action day talking about domestic violence in our community. A lot of myths were debunked and we learned what resources are available from community groups. Big shout out to our community partners, Women for Afghan Women, Sauti-Yetu for African Families, and Hillside Islamic Center. Be sure to check out the video on our Facebook page: MCN Civic Action Day on DV Awareness. 



As election day drew closer, MCN was in the front-lines ensuring that our communities went out to vote. In partnership with Common Cause NY, we provided poll monitors to monitor poll sites in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and Claremont, Bronx. 




We also held a community town hall session after the elections to learn about the reactions from community members on how they were feeling about the elections as part of our civic engagement and advocacy work. Check out the video here: Muslim Community Townhall, After the Elections. 



Overall, this was a busy month. However, we have our work cut out for the upcoming months. With COVID-19 resurging all over the country, this is the time when our community members need more support than ever. We are conducting a thanksgiving food pack-a-thon next week; we are recruiting for mentors for our youth program; and as always, seeking volunteers for our soup kitchen. 



We want to remind the community that NYC is providing free COVID-19 testing all across the city. To access a site, please call the Test & Trace Hotline, a one-stop source for all things Test & Trace. Just dial 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319).
 

This is also a time when we need you the most to help us keep all of our programs running! Show your support by giving a donation and showing us the love and support we need to keep it going!


With Gratitude, 


Aniqa Nawabi
Executive Director