(Washington, D.C., Sept. 21, 2011) American Muslims in cities across the country will distribute food, clothing, books, toys and hygiene kits on the first weekend of October during the annual Day of Dignity campaign sponsored by Islamic Relief USA.
In its ninth year, Day of Dignity is a nationwide campaign in which more than 2,000 volunteers will serve approximately 20,000 homeless people and others in need in 15 locations throughout the United States: Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Atlanta; Baltimore; Philadelphia; Seattle; Dallas; Detroit; Las Vegas; Brooklyn; The Bronx; Minneapolis; Phoenix; Swartz Creek, Michigan; and Aloha, Oregon. All events will be Oct. 1, except those in Atlanta, which will be Oct. 2.
“The Day of Dignity event is about communities coming together to address long-standing problems and challenges,” said Kyle Ismail, programs manager at Islamic Relief USA. “Islamic Relief USA is issuing a call to service for all Muslim organizations, especially those that are in partnerships with faith-based communities to serve marginalized communities.”
Islamic Relief is working with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) on a special HIV/AIDS testing initiative as part of Day of Dignity. Details courtesy of HHS:
Through a collaboration with the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (Partnership Center) at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the National Alliance for State and Territories AIDS Directors, Islamic Relief will offer on-site rapid test screening for HIV/AIDS.
“Forming a strong public-private partnership with a service-focused organization like Islamic Relief supports our efforts to end the stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS. This partnership also promotes prevention and testing within hard-to-reach communities,” said Mara Vanderslice Kelly, Acting Director, HHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. “Our joined efforts will impact the most vulnerable among us and provide thousands with access to health care and other important services across the nation.”
Through the first-ever National HIV/AIDS Strategy, President Obama has charged HHS’s Partnership Center to actively engage faith and neighborhood organizations in reducing health disparities and help work to solve some of our most complex health challenges, including HIV/AIDS.
Islamic Relief USA is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) humanitarian organization with eight consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects, allowing communities to better help themselves. In 2010, Islamic Relief USA programs benefited more than 4.3 million people in 34 countries, including the United States.
In addition to its 4-star rating on Charity Navigator, Islamic Relief USA meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a national charity monitoring group affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. Islamic Relief USA is on the U.S. government’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the code of conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
For for information on Day of Dignity, please visit https://irusa.org/campaigns/day-of-dignity/.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Hebah Reed
Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
(703) 370-7202
hreed@irusa.org