Adopt-A-Family Program

About the Program

MYPI’s Adopt-A-Family Program is a resource for refugee families within the community and families who are in need of assistance. We uphold the value that helping the underprivileged is the responsibility of the local community and we aim to instill this in our youth by giving them the opportunity to live this value.

Our Goals

EMPOWER youth to be ambassadors of positive impact in their involvement of the Adopt a Family Program. The youth assist refugee families with making the transition to becoming self-sufficient and eventually get on their feet and integrate into the community.

Operate HUNGER RELIEF efforts to families affected by Covid-19 crisis and help them put food on the table. This will be in collaboration with the Colorado Muslim Food Relief efforts that MYPI has been a part of since May 2020.

Offer FAMILY ASSISTANCE to our refugee families and community members in need.

Ensure the refugee families within our community are SUPPORTED and receiving the resources they are eligible for.

Our Efforts

 

Meet the
Adopt-A-Family Team

Mina Hashem 

Program Manager 
Adopt a Family Program

Lailey Hashem


Refugee Integration Director

Swita Omari

Program Coordinator
Adopt a Family Program

Meena Saber 

Assistant Program Manager 
Adopt a Family Program

Zainab Hashem

Program Coordinator
Adopt a Family Program | Reading Buddies | Tax Credit

Shamsurahman Shams

Senior Project Coordinator
Adopt a Family Program |
Mens Digital Literacy | Legal Services

 

Our Offerings

Adopt-a-Family Ambassadors

The Adopt a Family youth ambassador is the main point of contact for a refugee family to help ease their transition into the new community. Youth Ambassadors will focus on the refugee’s English acquisition, socialization of American Culture, guidance toward community resources, as well as integration into the local community. Commitment of 4-5 hours a month.

  • Community Navigator

    • First point of contact for assigned refugee families 

    • Help guide families towards community resources

    • Answer any questions 

    • Respond/escalate any need requests to project coordinator or case manager

    Outreach

    • Reaching out to community to create network for the adopt a family sponsorship

    • Coordinate assistance as needed 

    • Coordinate family sponsorships

    • Assist in food drives, booths, fundraising, events, etc

    Family Engagement

    • Coordinate activities with assigned families monthly

    • Build relationships 

    • Build Trust

    • Monthly check-ins with assigned families

    • 1 year of community engagement experience

    • Be in the age ranges or 14-26 (candidates under 18 years of age will need a parent to co-sign as well as attend all trainings)

    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

    • Excellent interpersonal skills

    • Excellent time management skills 

    • Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.

    • Bilingual (a plus)

    • $500 Stipend at the end of term 

Reading Buddy Program

Are you a Reader enthusiast and looking to empower other members of the community?  Sign up to become a Virtual Reading Buddy Volunteer and mentor!  

  • What: The “I Have A Dream” Foundation of Boulder County (IHDF) and the Muslim Youth For Positive Impact (MYPI) organization are excited to renew a reading buddy partnership. We are looking for volunteers ages 16+ to become Reading Buddies and empower youth. The volunteers will be paired with Elementary Aged students in grades k-6.

    Why: The purpose of this partnership is to connect Afghan refugee students who recently arrived in the United States with more exposure to the English language through conversation and read-alouds. This program is an opportunity for you as a youth to develop your leadership skills, reading skills, and cultural awareness and appreciation. Additionally, this program will allow you as a volunteer to integrate your volunteering skills and develop a love for community engagement. 

    As a volunteer you will be required to attend a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion training to learn more about Afghan culture and customs, and important information to guide your reading buddy sessions.

  • Once you sign up you will be paired with a local student of the same gender and your preferred age group to read to them One or Twice a week for 30 minutes sessions (the number of times per week is based on your interest). During the sessions you are expected to engage in a brief exchange of greeting, and check in, then introduce the book, topic you are reading. You will then engage in at least 20 minutes reading session and possibly engage the student/mentee with a conversation about what you had read to them. (keep it fun and light. This is not an assessment but rather an opportunity for your mentee to develop language skills and confidence in expressing themselves in English).

    The reading sessions run for 30 minutes either from 5:00-5:30 PM or 5:30-6:00 PM on days you select Monday-Thursday.

  • Where: These reading buddy sessions will take place remotely. Our preferred tool will be zoom or Whatsapp video chat. (Once you are matched with a student, you will receive their contact info to schedule the sessions and begin the program).

    When: We are asking that you select your most preferred day and time to read with your buddy. Please select your most available times and days and NOTE that you can have more than one mentee/student to read with if you choose to. The program will run Monday through Thursday between 5:00-6:00 pm for a 30 minutes session. More details in the questions below!

    INDEED our COMMUNITY Needs YOU!
    Be Part Of The Impact!
    If you have any questions, please email:   adoptafamily@mypi.org   contact@mypi.org 

Legal Services Through Amistad Law

Amistad Law is a legal aid 501(c)3 offering free or low-cost immigration legal representation in asylum, refugee, and removal cases. Amistad Law represents clients through all stages of the immigration process. Amistad Law handles affirmative and defensive asylum cases, adjustment of status applications (green card applications), family reunification cases, marriage based cases, work authorization and travel document requests, and fee waivers. If your case cannot be handled free of charge through a grant-supported program, Amistad Law offers services at a "low-bono" or low cost rate based on the applicants income and circumstances. Amistad Law has served over 1,400 refugee families in the Denver area since opening in November, 2022.

To contact Amistad Law please email us at Team@lawamistad.com, or call us at 720-772-9670, Monday-Friday, 8;30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Emergency Food Relief

MYPI provides emergency food relief to local families in need. If you or somebody you know are in need of emergency food relief, or if you are in interested in receiving assistance with SNAP, Medicaid, or other community resources, please email dawud@mypi.org.