Serving the community - MCC

Muslim Community Center News
A Publication for the Muslim Community Center for Human Services
7600 Glenview Drive
Richland Hills, TX 76180

31 May 2007

Bissmillah–Ar-Rehmaan-Nir-Raheem

Assalam Aalaikum

I hope you all have an enjoyable Spring and ready to enter in the pleasant Summer (so far). The Staff and Board of Directors of Muslim Community Center for Human Service wish you and your family the very best. With the grace of God and your support, MCC continues to provide the community services in Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. We like to share with you the progress of our projects and we are looking forward to hear your comments, suggestions, and advise.

Helpline

The Muslim Community Center for Human Services is dedicated to serving individuals and families. MCCHS has a 24-hour Helpline to assist individuals with medical, counseling and referral services for non-emergency calls. MCCHS serves individuals with family and marital problems, immigration, legal services, health and other social issues.

Our counseling services include therapy for individuals, couples, and families. MCCHS offers pre-marital counseling, marriage counseling, and family counseling. Our referral directory includes Muslim and non-Muslim organizations and agencies from around the Dallas and Fort Worth area.

Callers can be assisted through the Helpline if they are experiencing any medical or social issue. MCCHS Helpline messages are kept confidential and are responded to by professional staff within 24 hours. The MCCHS Helpline is a free service and in 2006 we were able to serve approximately 1600 individuals and families. English, Urdu, Hindi and Arabic speaker can be assisted through the Helpline and there are no eligibility requirements.

Please contact MCCHS 817-589-9165 for all non-emergency call for help. If the phone is busy or after hours please leave a message and your call will be returned within 24-hours.

Al Shifa Clinic
7600 Glenview Drive
Richland Hills, TX 76180
817-589-9165

Al Shifa clinic continues to offer services every Saturday between 9 AM to 1 PM and serve between 20-25 patients. We stop taking new patients at 11 a.m. Physicians are coming in rotation and we continue to provide sample medications when available. The lab work is offered at discounted rate.

Starting March 2007, the clinic remains open first Sunday on the month offering medical services to women and children. A female physician and a pediatrician attend the clinic. Since there is an increased demand for the services, we are considering opening the clinic for two Sundays a month.

Clinic is also registering patients for mammogram. In June 2007, a digital mammogram will be offered by Southwestern Medical School Mobile Unit. Susan G. Komen Foundation will provide further support if MCC increases educational and screening activities. Al Shifa Clinic has applied for the grant to buy the eye equipment. If it is approved, the eye clinic will be open by July 2007. An optometrist is willing to come twice a month to run the eye clinic.

Currently, we are recruiting physicians, especially female physicians for the clinic.

Future plans include development of mental health program and dental program.
For appointments or information call MCCHS 817-589-9165


Health Fair at Islamic Society of Arlington
September 2006

MCC for Human Services has been organizing health fairs since 1995. We used to have one annual health fair but in the last few years, due to increase demand, we have two to three health fairs each year. The last health fair was held at Islamic Society of Arlington – Center Street Mosque in September 2006. Approximately 300 residents of the area (irrespective of ethnicity and religion) participated in the health fair. All individuals were tested for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Several area physicians came to the health fair and offered consultation to the individuals. Several nurses from John Peter Smith Hospital helped in checking the blood pressure and Harris Methodist Hospital provided services for checking blood sugar and cholesterol.

Community education on breast cancer and registration for mammogram was also held during the health fair. Several individuals registered for the mammogram which was offered free of charge to indigent residents.

A family physician presented lecture on wellness and a pediatrician presented on baby care. Both sessions were well attended.

Several health organizations gave educational material related to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues. Public Health Department also set up a booth disseminating the information on immunizations and other health issues.
Mayor of Arlington proclaimed September 8th 2006 as MCC Health Fair Day and the proclamation was read by Councilman Mr. Wright.

Islamic Society of Arlington provided efficient volunteers and luncheon for physicians, health care providers, and volunteers. The program was a great success and was appreciated by the community.

Health Fair on Humanitarian Day in Dallas May 2007

MCCHS organized a health fair on 19th May 2007 in South Dallas to serve the underserved neighborhoods. The Health Fair was a component of a larger event where many Muslim organizations came together to distribute clothes, shoes, hygiene packs, school supplies, and food cans at MLK Center.

The Health Fair was set up in the gym of the MLK Center. A hundred families took advantage of the services offered at the event. A dedicated group of volunteers from the Ismaili Community, Al-Shifa Clinic, and Nation of Islam assisted the patients. Four hundred checkups and tests were performed by the volunteers. These checkups included obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol tests. Five physicians including a dentist advised the participants on their health and wellness. Fourteen female participants registered for free mammogram screening at a later day. Informational booths on teenage pregnancy, national marrow donor program, and MCC programs on domestic violence were well attended. Gifts and hygiene packs donated by children from Mid Cities Masjid were offered to the health fair participants.
MCC is thankful to organizers of Humanitarian Day and administration of MLK Center for providing this opportunity to serve the underserved population of South Dallas. Dr. Basheer Ahmed, Najma Ghouse, and Aftab Siddiqui played a major role in the success of the health fair. MCC is also thankful to all the volunteers including the Board members who assisted in the organizing of the event.


Domestic Violence Program

Mission Statement: The Muslim Community Center for Human Services (MCCHS) “Roshni” Domestic violence program’s main objective is to promote healthy and harmonious family relationships in the Asian, Middle Eastern, and African immigrant communities. We promote the empowerment of women to confront and overcome the cycle of domestic violence and exploitation; help the victims and survivors of domestic abuse improve their access to services, and increase community awareness of various forms of violence. MCCHS “Roshni” provides community education, culture-sensitive peer counseling, professional counseling, case management, client advocacy, information on rights, how to seek help and victim compensation. MCCHS also provides shelter referrals, legal referrals and assists victim in developing a safety plan.
MCCHS established the Roshni Domestic Violence Program in June 2006, since then we have disseminated information about domestic violence, and discussed the issues related to this subject in mosques, community centers, and other places. Women have been encouraged to share if they experience such problems, or if they know of any others who are experiencing a similar situation. MCCHS “Roshni” has encouraged women to seek help by distributing pamphlets, brochures, and having small sessions with women only, and holding seminars at different locations on this subject.

Since September 2006 MCCHS “Roshni” has trained volunteers that respond to the calls regarding domestic violence issues. The volunteers have been trained to handle calls in a confidential and professional manner, give appropriate advice, and encourage the individual or family to seek counseling--which may help during the early stages of a dispute. The telephone has a messaging service that includes the opportunity for the caller to provide a safe time and telephone number so that a volunteer staffing the helpline can talk to her one-on-one.

In more serious situations, volunteers have been trained to assist the victim with seeking a domestic violence shelter in their local community, help in arranging transportation, and meeting the person at the shelter to relieve some of the anticipated stress and anxiety.

We have established a separate line for the domestic violence program and callers facing domestic violence can call 24-hours a day at 817-589-0200. All calls are handled with extreme confidentiality.

Outreach Program
MCC has an outreach program that assists people in need. The program has been serving food at the local homeless shelter in Arlington since 2003. Hot breakfast is served at least one weekend at Arlington Life Shelter. Recently the program collected clothes for distribution at the Humanitarian Day in South Dallas. Last year the program assisted the Somali refugees who have been living in Section C housing in Fort Worth. Clothes, food, and furniture were provided to these new arrivals to our country.

Radio Program

A radio program has been started on radio Fun Asia 700 AM every Sunday between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The program offers techniques to enhance communication skills and it is presented with light humor and entertainment so that we can keep the listener's attention on the subject. Gradually the program is becoming popular and we are receiving increased number of questions related to this subject. Mrs. Najma Ghouse and Dr. Basheer Ahmed have been presenting this program. The program is sponsored by Dr. Farrukh Hamid of Fun Asia radio.

Interactive Seminar on Healthy Marriages

An interactive seminar was prepared for the young couples to present the techniques to enhance the marital relationship. The first presentation was made in December 2006 free of charge as it is supported by a grant from Texas Healthy Marriage Healthy Families Coalition. Other programs are in planning, if any group is interested in this program please contact MCC for Human Services 817-589-9165

Retreat on Fund Raising Strategies

MCC has been working hard to serve the community since 1995 with generous support of Muslim community. Being a non-Masjid organization, it has been a challenge to raise funds for the services. The MCC Board decided last summer to hire a professional consultant to help MCC formulate a fund raising strategy. Carole Rylander met the Board for four hours in September 2006 to discuss the concept of fundraising and how to go about it. She brought a wealth of info from her expertise as a fundraiser at a community church and later as a consultant. A day long retreat was held in February 2007 for the Board. Carole helped the Board chart out its strategy for fund raising. Following items were discussed:

1.Developing of a master list of donors and prospective donors.
2.Brainstorming on some ideas on how we can inform the donors about our program, especially how our program is making an impact on the individuals we are serving.
3.How we approach the corporations for disseminating the information about our projects and seeking donations.

Ismail Tahir is the Board member responsible for fundraising for MCC projects. He coordinated efforts on the basis of sessions with Carole to develop a plan for raising funds. Over the last few months he has been raising funds at different Masajids throughout the DFW Metroplex. He has been helped in his efforts by Shaikh Shakeeb. Carole will be meeting the Board in June 2007 to review the progress.
What MCC Needs

Volunteers: we need physicians especially female physicians, if you can give four hours once in a month or two months please contact: Al-Shifa clinic 817-589-9165
we need volunteers for all other projects, if you can give a few hours a week to MCC we will definitely arrange for you to help us in the area of your interest. Please contact:

MCC 817-589-9165
We need your support. All the projects are possible by your generous financial support. Please send your tax-deductible charitable donation to:

MCC for Human Services
7600 Glenview Drive
Richland Hills, TX 76180
For further information please contact 817-589-9165