Welcome Refugees—It's Our Responsibility

We've all seen the images from Syria and beyond. Locals who were able to flee the violence find themselves in a new country, with an unfamiliar language and hostile rhetoric regarding their presence. This is our opportunity—rather, our responsibility—to welcome them with open arms. By sponsoring local refugee children, you give them a chance to engage with other children and feel a part of their new communities while taking part in a fun, outdoor activities in an Islamic environment. 

Why Our Summer Camp?

Omar is the second of five children. He and his family fled Syria approximately four years ago, when Omar was 13-years-old. They went to Jordan, where Omar had to work to help his parents and siblings survive. He worked for a company that made all different types of dates for dessert. While a 13-year-old boy's worries should be about how quickly he should finish his school work so he could go out to play, instead, Omar had to worry about getting caught working illegally. He had to worry about whether or not he would make enough money to help his family afford their rent. 

After three years, Omar and his family were approved to come to the United States. He had to get back into school mode, and try to live life as a teenager should. He has to struggle to learn English, as students mock him for his accent, Arab-sounding name, and sneakers that are not in style. He has to figure out which students in his school may be mixed with drugs, and keep away from associating with them. Omar has not made many friends yet and does not feel like he can fit in. His father is struggling to find stable work that can support his family. Omar was promised he would get his childhood back in the U.S., but this is far from what he imagined. He wants to go back home.

To make his transition easier, we want Omar and other kids like him to experience our MYCC Summer Camp. Generous donors will provide our local refugee brothers and sisters with a space to feel a part of their new community through activities all can enjoy—sports, crafts, water play, nature walks, snacks, and more. This July will be the camp's third year, Insha'Allah, with locations in Clifton and Piscataway, NJ as well as Whitehall, PA. We hope children like Omar will finally be able to say this is home, and mean it.

Your Money --> Their Cherished Moments

Funds raised through this campaign will go directly to sponsor the refugees' participation in the MYCC Summer Camp. Costs are for transportation, T-shirts, supplies for art projects, sports equipment, and snacks. These little things will help the refugee children feel just like any one of the other kids getting a full fun experience this summer. A moment to be a normal kid with their new friends. Any additional funds will be used to spearhead programs for refugees throughout the year Insha'Allah. 

Our programs in Clifton and Piscataway, NJ will run for five weeks (Mondays-Thursdays, 9AM-12PM from July 10 to August 10, 2017). In Whitehall, PA, the program will run for two weeks, July 10-21, 2017, Insha'Allah. 

Join Us in Giving Back!

Without the generosity of our supporters, we won't be able to share our fun with our local refugee children. There are many ways you can support!

• Donate to our LaunchGood campaign and have your dollars directly impact the refugee families' participation in the summer program.
• Share our campaign and story across social media to spread the word.
• If you're local to New Jersey and Whitehall, PA, join our team! Apply to become a volunteer or staff at one of our locations and interact face-to-face with our refugee families and other camp-goers. 
• If you have kids, enroll them in the camp itself so they can form lifelong friends with the refugee children looking to call this new place home.