Our Goal

At the heart of everything we do is the belief that a little support can make a big difference. Our commitment to helping our community grew stronger during the pandemic, as we focused on extending a hand to families in need. We aim to build sustainable solutions that empower families not just for today, but for the long term, helping them regain stability and independence. Through every initiative, we strive to reflect the deep conviction behind our mission—to bring hope and create lasting change for those who need it most

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Inspire and build a community of supporters who help individuals and families near youAt Project Assist, wellbeing is at the forefront of what we’re working together towards. Our programs and activities are designed to be a catalyst that helps community members reach their goals and fulfill their potential to become self-reliant.

Make a Donation

Partner With Us

Volunteer Your Time

Empowering individuals, families & communities to create a path to self sustainability

We came together while supporting a local community initiative for the COVID-19 impacted families. With the support of our generous donors and dedicated volunteers, we helped the project raise about $80,000 and provided support for over 130 local families in need across the Bay Area. This initiative provided cooked meals purchased from local vendors across the Bay Area to support local businesses, delivered food parcels and groceries, Eid gifts for children, cash donations and linking Zakat eligible individuals to local mosques for further support.Despite successfully reaching out to families in need last year, our work is not done. Each day we are receiving more and more applicants who are in dire need and are turning to us for food and financial assistance in light of the ongoing crisis and the long-term impact. With your help, we want to continue providing food and critical financial assistance, and then go beyond to help people find jobs, learn the skills to start their own businesses, take special courses or continued education, and support their existing efforts to get back on their own feet.

Our Team

ASMA ALI

President

Asma is the President of Project Assist. With a passion for service and an unwavering commitment to making a difference, Asma has played a pivotal role in coordinating and supporting the COVID-19 food drive, which helped distribute food to vulnerable populations during the pandemic. This initiative was widely recognized in the Bay Area, including coverage in the San Francisco Chronicle for its positive impact on the local Muslim community and beyond.In addition to the leadership role at Project Assist, Asma is an active member of the Executive Committee of the Yaseen Foundation, a prominent organization focused on community outreach, support, and development. Asma's work in both organizations highlights their dedication to improving lives through direct action, collaboration, and advocacy.Asma is passionate about building bridges within diverse communities, empowering individuals, and fostering a spirit of collective responsibility.

Esam (Sammy) Hussain

Director

Sammy is a Muslim born and raised here in the Bay Area, CA. He works as an apartment building landlord. He was the recipient of a Housing Hero Award by the San Mateo County Housing Authority and was also mentioned in the San Mateo Daily Journal as a Landlord for his work and compassion for his colleagues. Esam is a father of 2 and a husband of Kitti Hussain who is also a member of Project Assist. Esam enjoys doing volunteer work in various ways for his community. He’s volunteered for almost 8 years now with Islamic Relief USA as well as doing youth sports coaching in flag football as well as other sports.He is in charge of the housing department for Project Assist and is passionate about helping refugees and newcomers to our community.San Mateo Daily JournalSMC Health

Kitti Hussain

Director

Kitti is a Hungarian convert who resides in the Bay Area with her 2 children and her husband, Esam Hussain, another PA member. Kitti has a background in Early Childhood Education and has worked with children ever since her arrival to the states in 2013. Currently she is a stay at home mom who keeps herself busy raising her 2 children, volunteering at Yaseen Burlingame Center, and working on different projects bringing the community together. Kitti has volunteered with Samaritan House, SPCA, NCEFT, Islamic Relief USA, and different schools in the past years.Due to her resourceful nature, at Project Assist she is responsible for acquiring/accumulating the basic necessities for newcomer families and helping them find whatever they need.

Bilal Seadan

Director

Bilal Seadan is an entrepreneur dedicated to serving people and creating a positive impact in the world. With a passion for community development and innovation, he actively contributes to initiatives that uplift and empower others. A proud parent and multilingual professional fluent in three languages, Bilal brings a diverse perspective and deep commitment to making a difference

Muhammad Jahangir Bhatti

Finance

Muhammad Bhatti is the Finance and G&A Officer at Project Assist. His journey in the non-profit sector began with volunteering in the Bay Area community at the Yaseen Foundation. From 2017 to 2020, Muhammad served on several committees, including those focused on community events and operations. During this time, he also played a pivotal role in streamlining Yaseen’s G&A operations and bookkeeping processes.During the COVID-19 years, Muhammad and a group of like-minded individuals came together to assist the community by providing essential supplies, particularly during periods of high need. Muhammad is passionate about problem-solving through systematic processes at both individual and organizational levels. He welcomes you to connect if you are seeking sustainable, long-term solutions to challenges through efficient systems and processes.

Omer Siddiqui

Director

Omer has lived in the Bay area for over 10 years with his family and is originally from Canada. Omer is an executive in the biotech/pharma industry working on developing drugs for patients suffering from diseases with high unmet need. Omer has been involved in non-profit work through participation in various organizations. In addition to being on the elections committee at Yaseen foundation, Omer also is part of the leadership team for coordinating a multi-faith food drive each month serving the local community in conjunction with Second Harvest. He was inspired by his daughter who led the student muslim club at her local high school helping local youth stay involved in helping the community. As part of the founding team for Project Assist, Omer is looking to work with the team to support people in need and come up with solutions to help families become self-sustained and independent.

Collaborators

A community-led resettlement initiative that allows everyday Americans to take on the responsibility of welcoming Afghan newcomers to their communities. An emergency response launched to ensure that all arriving Afghans receive welcome and support, the Sponsor Circles Program pairs Afghan newcomers with community groups eager to provide support.

A community based non-profit organization that is dedicated to enhancing the quality of lives of people across the globe in desperate need of opportunity; including children and women who lack basic social and economic means.

Yaseen Foundation is the Muslim community association of San Francisco Peninsula area (California). It was founded in 1999. Yaseen extends its services to the Muslim community as well as the larger non-Muslim community of the Peninsula. Our motto: "Working together to build a better future for our children!"

Founded to serve the Muslims of the May Area. MCA is one of the largest Islamic Centers in the nation providing educational programs, outreach, social, youth and women support services for the local community.

WVMA is a faith-based organization, home to a community where everyone feels supported, encouraged, and loved. Their aim to establish a thriving Muslim community, guided by faith and inspired to be an integral part of society at large. WVMA was formed exclusively for educational, religious, and social purposes.

Ways We Help

Project Assist is dedicated to changing and improving lives through a holistic approach to community challenges. We empower our partners by creating opportunities that benefit individuals and entire communities.

Career Advice

Helping the Community

Guiding individuals to achieve their career goals with tailored advice and support.

CV/Resume Help

One Step at a Time

Assisting with resume building and interview preparation to boost employability.

Rental Assistance Information

Informing the Community

Providing resources and information to help with housing stability.

Learning New Skills

One Step at a Time

Offering access to skill-building programs that enhance career and personal growth.

Grocery Assistance

Reinforcing Our Commitment

Helping families put food on the table with support and resources.

Paying Medical Bills

Resourcing and Information

Helping families put food on the table with support and resources.

Supporting Small Business Set-Up

Helping Self-Sustain

Assisting with foundational steps for starting small businesses for community self-sufficiency.

Continuing Education

Support and Sustain

Providing guidance and resources for individuals pursuing further education.

Our Projects

COMMUNITY-LED RESETTLEMENT INITIATIVE

Project Assist, in partnership with local organizations are helping families who had to leave their countries to resettle in Northern California. Often families that were forced to move, leave behind family members, jobs, businesses and all that they hold dear. Almost half of the refugees who fled are children. Your support will not only provide them the essentials they need to survive initially (e.g. food, clothing, housing etc) but will also help longer-term to sustain a better life through access to opportunities (e.g. education/retraining, job seekers support, public services etc).

How your donation will help:

Your donation will support their initial 6 months to settle a family includes but not limited to the following:- Secure housing- Provide basic necessities (furniture, clothing, food, etc.)- Legal assistance in completion of relevant immigration documentation and to access federal/state allowances (where eligible)- Connect to relevant services, including health care, education, and legal assistance- English language skills- Help to secure employment; and- Provide community orientation, friendship, and moral support- Computers, transportation and other support needed for children and family members for school and work.

Latest

We post our latest initiatives on this page!

Stay tuned for our Ramadan Initiative starting at the end of this month!

PROJECT ASSIST WELCOMES A FAMILY FROM GAZA

Currently supporting and raising funds

A family who recently arrived from Gaza has not yet received enough funds for housing and living expenses. We are primarily focused on setting them up for the first 6 months through housing assistance, medical care, employment, transportation and educational support. The goal is to help them become self sufficient so they can sustain themselves as they settle here.

AFGHAN FAMILIES SUPPORT

RAISED CLOSE TO $30,000Project Assist successfully raised funds to help settle an Afghan Refugee family last year with housing, rent support, transportation, living essentials and continuing education. The family included a young couple with a baby, the husband's sister and elderly mother. They are now well settled and self sufficient without need for support or further financial assistance.

63 Families

$30,467 Raised

Within Two Months

HOW WE HELPED

63 families helped
53 out of 63 were zakat eligible individuals / families
10 individuals
15 couples
8 families of 3
15 families of 4
11 families of 5
2 families with 6 and 2 with 8 family members
· Cheques sent to 59 families / individuals
· 4 visa gift cards
· Additional assistance providing a laptop, clothes and diapers for children and food parcels
Thank you to all who supported our efforts to help the community in need.