SOCAL MUSLIMS CONTINUE A TRADITION OF SERVING THE HOMELESS DURING RAMADAN
#BeEssential: THE 23RD Annual Humanitarian Day of Action has a special meaning for SoCal Muslims as they face their third Ramadan during the Pandemic.
(Los Angeles, CA 4/1/2022) — On Saturday, April 23, Muslims and Coalition Preserve Human Dignity (CPHD) network in Los Angeles, the San Bernardino, and Orange County will fast and serve the unhoused people in honor of Ramadan.
HUMANITARIAN DAY was founded by the I.L.M. (Intellect-Love-Mercy) Foundation over 20 years ago, during the Holy Month of Ramadan. This year’s theme #BeEssential will address the impact of COVID on the homeless crisis. I.L.M. Foundation says, “It is an obligation for Muslims to encourage good works and provide for neighborly needs, and we are proud to have served the community for more than 20 years.”
The theme #BeEssential encourages sponsors, community partners, and volunteers to go beyond charity to build solidarity with the unhoused through awareness, advocacy, and action.
#BeEssential includes a teach-in about the humanitarian crisis in California where over 160,000 inhabitants experience homelessness. Seventy percent of unhoused Californians are without shelter, comprising more than half of all people in America without shelter. Los Angeles County is home to 40% of the state’s homeless population. Between March 2020 and July 2021, up to 1,500 unhoused persons may have passed away in the streets of Los Angeles County. Studies across the state highlight surging homeless and alarming mortality rates of the unhoused during the pandemic.
#BeEssential aims to harness the power of collaboration and partnership in Southern California to address homelessness. Volunteers will gather under CDC guidelines to assemble over 2300 essential care packages at the Islamic Center of Santa Ana, 1610 East First Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 starting at 9 am on Saturday, April 23rd. The next day on April 24th ILM leaders will distribute the packages at target locations: the Santa Ana City Net Bus station shelter, Downtown Los Angeles Skid Row, San Bernardino, Pomona, South Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Oakland.
ILM is grateful for our Sponsors:
Ansaar Sponsors: WJS Family Foundation, UMMA Community Clinic, Orange County Islamic Foundation, Islamic Center of Santa Ana, MuslimARC, Hearts of Mercy, Muslim Public Affairs Council, El Hibri Foundation
Coalition Preserve Human Dignity (CPHD:) Sahaba Initiative, Shia Muslim Council, Islah LA, LA Voice, NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change, Civil+Human Rights and Equity Department, Harmony Bites, Eating Rights, Halal Project, Muslim CAIR-LA, MU’EED, R.E.B.O.U.N.D., Couple of Brothers, Church of Latter Day Saints, Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation, Buddhist Tzu Foundation, Muslim American Society, South Coast Interfaith Council
ILM Foundation’s mission is to teach life skills to economically underprivileged youth and adults so that social ills are replaced with opportunities for intellectual and economic empowerment. www.humanitarianday.com
For media questions contact margari.hill@gmail.com
Scan to Support our efforts ~ Thank You for An Opportunity to Serve!
# # #
