Portland, Oregon – Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization, will hold its annual Day of Dignity event in major cities throughout the country, including one in Portland, Oregon, with its partner, Islamic Social Services of Oregon State (ISOS).
Portland Day of Dignity campaign will take place Sunday, September 8, 2019 from noon to 4pm at Park of the Elephant (North Park Block B), located between NW Burnside; NW Couch and NW Park Ave, NW 8th Ave. Islamic Social Services of Oregon State (ISOS) is co-partnering with agencies of diverse backgrounds that share the same common interest with assisting our most vulnerable neighbors, the homeless.
Among the special guests will be Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler.
“Homelessness is by far the most vexing issue facing this community, just as it is in cities all across cities in the United States of America, “ Mayor Wheeler said. “Everyone deserves access to high-quality compassionate life-saving and social services, a roof over their head and stability. Making that happen takes partnerships, and Day of Dignity is an opportunity to build those relationships and promote collaboration to successfully address homelessness.”
At Portland Day of Dignity, the organizations will provide food, winter supplies (customized back packs for the homeless from High Sierra; sleeping bags; thermal socks; first aid supplies; hygiene kits; school kits); and services (city resource booklets; transitional housing information; job search; public transportation applications; blood pressure checks; medical counseling; dental services; chiropractic services; eye glasses; and haircuts).
Both Islamic Relief USA and ISOS express gratitude to the following co-partner agencies:
Jewish Family and Child Service
William Temple
Multnomah Health Department
Shafa Clinic
Oregon Food Bank
Oregon Islamic Chaplain Organization
Japanese American Citizen League
Outside In
Street Roots
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization
Portland Refugee Support Group
Potluck in the Park
Sunshine Division
Sesame Donuts
Rose Haven
Transition Projects
University of Western State (Chiropractic Dept)
Medical Teams International – Dental Mobile
LifeWorks
TriMet
Relay Resources
Worksource Portland Metro – SE Works
Oregons’ Lion Sight and Hearing Foundation
Project Access; Oregon Health Resources
Volunteers of America
Islamic Relief USA works with various community organizations throughout the country to help facilitate Day of Dignity events around the country. It has held the Portland event for several years.
“The Day of Dignity events enable people who are in some of the direst circumstances to get access to necessary items and services,” said Sharif Aly, CEO of Islamic Relief USA. “Poverty and homelessness, unfortunately, remain major problems and indications are both problems may grow worse. Thus, Day of Dignity events provide a major service. In addition to receiving food, clothing, and health care, they also learn about the different agencies and other entities that exist which they can connect with and continue receiving the guidance and resources necessary to help them get on a path toward self-sufficiency.”
“Portland faces serious issues with resolving homelessness. Day of Dignity provides us the opportunity to build a coalition of agencies to come together and to better serve those in need as well as to build a network amongst ourselves to hopefully provide better services,” said Laila Hajoo, president of ISOS. “Organizations are showcasing true American spirit in working together for a better America. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what religion you believe in. We are united for the greater cause of humanity. We are so honored to have these wonderful co-partners coming together on this one day to provide dignified services to those that are often neglected, our homeless.”
The events put a spotlight on the effects of poverty, which remains a persistent problem in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 40 million suffer from poverty as of 2018. The problem could grow worse if recently announced cuts to various social services are enacted by the federal government.
Day of Dignity helps provide, at least for a day, relief from the regular hardships that are faced by an impoverished population, regardless of race, creed, or nationality.
MEDIA CONTACT
Laila Hajoo
info@i-sos.org
(503) 259-2320
or
Syed M. Hassan
media@irusa.org
(703) 370-7246
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Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. 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. Its programs benefit millions of people each year around the world, including in the United States.
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.
ISOS (Islamic Social Services of Oregon State) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) social service charitable organization since 2003. ISOS uses Islamic values when rendering services to people in need of assistance through trying times, by collaborating with a network of non-profit organizations and community service groups. By pooling resources together provides better assistance to those in need while building bridges between agencies of diverse backgrounds.