nice cause and good credible organizing company, please see if you can join.
MUSLIM CONSULTATIVE NETWORK
Dear friends,
I’m writing to request your presence at a fundraiser i’m helping organize to support the emergency preparedness services of the Muslim Consultative Network (MCN) – a group I now refer to as my extended family, and a group that does excellent work for the Muslim community in New York City. Tickets are $25 each, though your generosity in providing further funding for MCN’s work is gratefully accepted in case you cannot attend and/or choose to donate more.
The time for the event is 6 p.m Tuesday, August 26 and the venue is New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), overlooking Ground Zero at 22 Cortland Street, 20th Floor (above Century 21). Please help me spread the word and help MCN in carrying out its noble mission. You can find out more info about us at our website: Muslim Consultative Network
I’d like to also provide you with some background as to why we are having this fundraiser. No one wants to think about disaster–often until it is too late. Disaster comes in many forms-- terror attack, floods, household fires. Hurricane season is now underway. We recall what happened with Hurrricane Katrina. Low-income, marginalized, and under-served groups, such as immigrants, low-literacy populations, and the disabled, are more vulnerable and face more challenges when confronting disasters. Furthermore, the negative economic impacts of disasters contribute to poverty, causing people either to become, or to remain, poor.
MCN is working in partnership with NYDIS to reach Muslims in New York with more information, resources, education, training, and assistance for disaster mitigation, preparedness, and recovery. NYDIS has supplied MCN with a full time VISTA Volunteer to develop a community survey, organize community based workshops at mosques and other community centers, and to develop culturally specific educational materials. Our VISTA volunteer is Elyse Peters, who has come from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has studied Hindi and Urdu.
Over the next few months, Elyse will work with MCN to develop a directory of community organizations, do needs assessments in Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan and Queens and organize disaster preparedness workshops around the city for Muslims. Her work and the VISTA project will strengthen both the MCN collective infrastructure and benefit the entire New York area Muslim community.
We do have some urgent costs connected with this important program, including the cost of Elyse’s daily transportation, printing materials, and fees for running workshops around the city. We could definitely use your contribution, no matter how small or large.
As someone who works in humanitarian affairs and aid relief, I can attest to the importance of MCN’s work for Muslims in New York City. Our community needs your support and I trust and hope you will extend whatever assistance you can. Please rsvp by emailing: [email protected].
Sincerely yours,