Our Team

I am a resident of Somerset, New Jersey, and have been living in New Jersey since 1995. I have also been working at Rutgers University since that time and currently serve as a Teaching Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Although I serve as the President of this organization, the work we do is truly a team effort. Our organization is made up of individuals who care deeply about our community and are committed to supporting families who may be struggling, often quietly and behind the scenes.

Time and again, we learn about families in our community who are having difficulty meeting their basic needs. What is particularly concerning is that many community members are unaware that these families are struggling. There is often an assumption that existing charities and national organizations are reaching everyone who needs assistance. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Some families fall through the cracks because they may not know how to access national Muslim charitable organizations, may not have the resources or ability to navigate the application process, or may simply be overlooked because of the sheer volume of requests these organizations receive. In other cases, families may receive some assistance, but the amount is insufficient to address their actual needs.

Our organization is trying to address this gap at the local level. We strive to identify and bring to light the needs of families in our community who might otherwise go unnoticed. By developing a better understanding of their circumstances and connecting them with appropriate resources and support, we hope to ensure that no family in our community is overlooked simply because they were unable to find or access the help they needed.

Ultimately, this is not the work of one individual. It is a collective effort by members of our community who believe that we have a responsibility to look out for one another and to make sure that those who are struggling have a pathway to meaningful support.

I am a resident of Somerset, New Jersey, and have been living here since 2013. Prior to that, my family and I lived in Flushing, New York, for 18 years. I currently work as a Senior Technical Lead for a major HCM company.

When I first learned about the mission of the Foundation for Local Needy—understanding the needs of members of our local community and providing meaningful support to those who are struggling—it immediately resonated with me. In particular, I was deeply moved by the needs of sisters who are abandoned, divorced, or widowed and who often carry the tremendous responsibility of supporting their families and educating their children with little or no steady income.

Many of these sisters, as well as some brothers who are unable to work due to long-term illness, live under constant financial stress and uncertainty. They may not know how they will pay next month's rent, keep the electricity or other essential utilities connected, or provide their families with basic necessities. Often, their struggles remain invisible to the broader community.

Our goal is to identify these families, understand their individual circumstances and needs, and provide assistance during their period of hardship. Most importantly, we want to support them until they are able to regain stability and become self-sufficient. Even if our efforts mean helping one family at a time, we believe that every family we are able to support represents a meaningful contribution toward fulfilling our responsibility to our community, in accordance with the commands of Allah SWT and the guidance of His Messenger ﷺ.

I pray that Allah SWT makes this foundation an effective means of bringing hope, dignity, and faith to those members of our community who are going through difficult times. I am truly honored and grateful to be part of this effort and to work alongside others who share the same commitment to serving those in need.

I am a resident of Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, and have been living in New Jersey since 1991. I have been working at Bristol Myers Squibb for the past 32 years and currently serve as a Senior Scientist.

Over the years, we became aware that there were families within our own community who were struggling to meet their basic needs. Initially, we tried to help these families through our personal networks and individual efforts. However, we soon realized that this approach, while well-intentioned, was not sufficient. The needs were greater and more widespread than what we could address on an individual basis.

We recognized that this work needed to be organized at a community level so that we could identify families in need more effectively, understand their circumstances, and provide meaningful and sustainable assistance. That realization ultimately brought us together to establish this organization.

We believe that Allah brought us together for this noble cause and gave us the opportunity to serve our community in this way. We are deeply grateful to Him for choosing us to play a small part in alleviating the difficulties and suffering of our brothers and sisters who are in need.

For us, this is more than an organization or a charitable effort. It is a responsibility and an opportunity to serve our community, support one another, and fulfill our obligation to those who may need a helping hand.

I am a resident of Franklin Park, New Jersey, and have been living in New Jersey since 1996. I work as a Technical Project Manager and have been part of the IT industry since 1996.

I am grateful to be part of a team whose members share a common vision and a sincere commitment to serving our community. What makes this effort especially meaningful to me is that everyone involved is contributing their time, skills, and resources selflessly, with the intention of seeking the pleasure of Allah.

It is a privilege to work alongside people who are united by the belief that we have a responsibility to support those in our community who are facing hardship. I hope that, through our collective efforts, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families who need our support and, Insha'Allah, continue this work with sincerity and compassion.

I am a resident of Kendall Park, New Jersey, and have been living in New Jersey since 1996. I have been working at Orion Business Innovation since 2001.

I immediately connected with the idea of reaching out to brothers and sisters in our community who may be struggling quietly and are often unknown or overlooked by the broader community. Many of them may be facing difficult circumstances without having the support or resources they need.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of an effort dedicated to identifying these individuals and families and helping them during their time of need. I pray that Allah SWT guides us, gives us the wisdom and sincerity to fulfill this responsibility, and enables us to carry out this duty in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

May Allah SWT accept our efforts, bless this initiative, and make it a source of relief, dignity, and hope for those in need in our community.