Here are the Statistics: 

• Newark is the largest city in New Jersey 
• In 2016, Newark was home to more than 72,000 children. 18% live in extreme poverty, compared to 7% of NJ children overall.

• More than half of the children receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Essex County were Newark children.

• 29.1% persons living in Newark, live in poverty (Govt. Census 2017)

• One-third of New Jersey’s residents do not earn enough to afford the basic necessities of food and housing.

• 24.6% persons under the age of 65 do not have health insurance (Govt. Census 2017)

• 1/3 of the state’s employed residents live below the poverty level.

• 1 in 5 children in New Jersey lives in poverty.

• There are over 1.1 million food insecure people living in New Jersey.  More than 1/3 of them are children.

• Children suffering from poor nutrition during the brain’s most formative years score much lower on tests of vocabulary, reading comprehension, arithmetic, and general knowledge.

​Day of Dignity / Oct. 20, 2018

So...now what? At NIA, part of our goals as community leaders, is to let our neighbors know that we are here for them. NIA partners with Islamic Relief to facilitate the collaboration of local and national organizations, volunteers and neighbors to enjoin on a day of upliftment. Day of Dignity is an event that allows our community to come together, discover resources, receive services, and have a day catered to their needs with care and respect. While we are providing many services, including a food drive and healthcare checks among others, we need your help to cover the huge number of people that an event like this will need. Here's what your donation will help cover: 

Click Here to Volunteer!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnbcc01sfB2DDH4fghCcOgsPy2sIGhC7Z0eYahVaEkReVL0Q/viewform

Hygiene: Personal Items, Haircuts & Feminine Care

Our Hygiene Kits include but are not limited to towels, soap, 4 toothbrushes, toothpaste, and 2 combs. With your $10 donation we can add more to the hygiene kits, to serve as many as 700 individuals. When you sponsor a hygiene kit it can help families & individuals take care of their personal health for months. 

Feminine Care: One of the most overlooked needs for homeless women and girls is the need for tampons, pads and sanitary napkins. We are committed to ensuring that women find the goods necessary for their health and wellness. 

Haircuts: We are happy to provide free haircuts for anyone of all ages. As a continued service at Day of Dignity, we understand how a haircut can change not only the physical demeanor of someone but their mentality. Our volunteer barbers are friendly, engaging and always connecting with families, children and individuals. 

Groceries & Warm Meals 

A bag of groceries include (but not limited to): Oil, Salt, Sugar, Tea, Beans, Pasta, Rice, Flour, Oatmeal and Soup. While we are working with local grocery stores to build our list, we need sponsors to help us provide some of these basic necessities. Your donation of $25 helps sponsor a grocery bag. When you leave your name &/or a note in your donation, we'll print it out and place it in the grocery bags. 

Soup Kitchen: NIA is proud to expand our a monthly soup kitchen that usually runs on Roseville Ave to Lincoln Park on the Day of Dignity. The soup kitchen provides a warm meal, seating for people to connect and break bread. 

Free Health Services 

On site, we have designated tents specific to the needs of several medical services: dental care, medical, podiatry & optometric services. All of these services are run by volunteer Doctors, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Medical Students, Dentists and Podiatrists. Our coordinators screen all volunteers to ensure their qualifications are suitable for meeting patients. Confidentiality is a priority to our professionals, ensuring that everyone is met with the integrity and care that they deserve. 

Please contact our Medical Coordinator Wafeeqa Azeem, wafeeqaazeem@gmail.com . We are looking for optometrists & nutritionists. 

Warm Clothing & Winter Coats 

Our event will provide 100s of winter clothing and coats for children and adults. Clothing includes warm undergarments (long johns), hats, gloves & sweaters. Coats are donated and placed on racks for individuals to try on and take home.

School Supplies k-12

School Supplies are provided by Kitz for Kidz, an organization that places up to 25 assorted necessary supplies for children in school. The kits have notebooks, pencils, pens, calculators, rules, glue, scissors etc. 

Government & NGO Resources 

NIA works very closely with the City of Newark and other non-profits to provide the best variety of resources and care to the community. Organizations cover multiple areas of need like: affordable housing, wellness, medicare, insurance, employment and more. If you wish to partner with us please email wafiyah@niamasjid.org

New Toy & Book Drive

We are collecting new books & new toys for the children of Newark. Please drop your donations off at HQ - 231 Roseville Ave, Newark, NJ 07107 

Thank You!

Click here if you wish to Volunteer for Day of Dignity Oct 20, 2018.

References:

Advocates for Children of New Jersey
Newark Kids Count Report 2016
Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
The Post Standard Editorial Board - Hunger in America: Recession, Unemployment Bring a Rising Tide of US Bureau of the Census
Meals on Wheels, Senior Hunger in the United States
Rutgers Against Hunger 2014