Muslim Community Center News A Publication of the Muslim Community Center for Human Services

7600 Glen View Dr. Richland Hills TX 76180 Phone (817) 589– 9165 (Metro) Email: mcchs2005@hotmail.com

Websites: www.mcc-hs.org www.roshni-mcc.org

Volume XIV, No. 1 April 2011

Board of Directors M. Basheer Ahmed, MD Chairman, Imam Dr. Yusuf Kavacki Religious Advisor, Mr. Aftab Siddiqui Vice Chair, Mr. Ismail Tahir, CPA Treasurer, Ms. Michelle Ansari Mrs. Saleha Haleem Mr. Noor H. Siddiqui Mrs. Saulet Kureshy Mr. Kalim Saiyed Mr. Abu Tariq Mr. Wasiq Zaidi Ms. Tasneem Hafiz Mr. Kassem Khalil Ms. Farzana Mughal Staff Ms. Talaun Thompson LMSW Program Director Nadia Emerick DNP Clinic Coordinator Lubna Khurshid LMSW Nuha Rafeek MBA Noureen Raza BA Selma Qureshi

MISSION & VISION STATEMENT

M CCHS is dedicated to empowering underserved communities residing in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, to face complex challenges created by duality of culture and lack of appropriate medical and

social services. Our long-term vision is to develop a community of people who are thriving and striving to maintain a

harmonious family structure by offering counseling and education to prevent marriage discord, domestic violence and child abuse. MCC plans to offer counseling services and shelter for the victims of domestic vio-lence from Middle Eastern and South East Asian region for whom services are currently not available due to cultural and language barriers.

(MCC Organizes Open House on December 9, 2010)

As debate has raged this year about a Muslim Community Center to be built in New York City, a similar Mus-lim Community Center for Human Services (MCCHS) has been quietly serving the public here in North Texas. Recently an open house was held to raise awareness of the expansion and new services at the Center. Thanks to a grant from a conglomerate of funders (Baylor Health Care Systems, HCA North Texas Division, Methodist Health System, and Texas Health Resources), Al-Shifa clinic has been able to hire a nurse practitio-ner and expand clinic hours from 2 days to 5 days a week. This grant will increase patient access to services and assist patients needing a medical home. The MCCHS Dental Clinic opened in August 2010 to provide general dentistry services. These services in-clude x-ray, cleaning, filling, and extractions. Lat year, a concerned retiring American dentist donated all of his equipment to MCCHS and was instrumental in helping establish the clinic. Currently there are four area den-tists that are volunteering their time free of charge. The charitable eye clinic was open in 2008 and operates once-a-month. Since 2000, MCCHS has received consecutive funding from Susan G. Komen foundation to provide breast cancer education to immigrant women who may otherwise not have access to information, and recently se-cured a Victims’ of Crime Act (VOCA) grant to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence. The MCCHS was established in 1995 in North Richland Hills. It offers a special emphasis on understanding the immigrant and refugee community. Charitable services are provided to patients regardless of race, creed or ethnic origin. The organization is supported by volunteer physicians and clinical staff and monetary donations from the community. It is located at 7600 Glenview Dr., Richland Hills, TX 76180. Learn more at www.mcc-hs.org. To publicize the information about MCC’s programs and projects an open house was organized on December 9th, 2010. 80 community leaders representing various organizations participated in an open house. Mayor Reagan of Richland Hills, Dr. Kavacki of Dallas Central Mosque, and Dr. Basheer Ahmed made brief presen-tations. The highlight of the open house was representation and recognition of Dr. Roach, who has generously donated the equipment for Dental Clinic. Some of the dignitaries included, President and Vice-President of United Way, President of Multicultural aAliance, President of Pakistan Society, Executive Director of Dallas Peace Center, Chief of Police and representatives from various social and human service organizations in Dal-las and Tarrant County. A light Middle Eastern lunch was served to all the guests.

Dr.Nadia Emerick, DNP-Family Nurse Practitioner, started full time work as clinical co-ordinator at Al-Shifa Clinic on April 1st , 2011. She obtained her degree in nursing from Jeru-salem, Israel and obtained her master’s degree from California State University and Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) from Rocky Mountain University, Utah. She had numbers of ex-perience as nurse practitioner with St.Josef Health System, University of Texas MD Ander-son, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston and Sherman Internal Medicine group.We are proud to have her as full time staff mem-ber and we are expecting her to develop a fine clinical program at Al-Shifa clinic.

AL-SHIFA CLINIC EXPANDS ITS SERVICES TO WEEK DAYS: We are Proud to announce that MCC Al-Shifa Clinic open six days a week. We are expecting to provide Medical Services to over 3,000 patients in 2011. Your support continue to help us in expanding our services to uninsured indi-viduals in this area. Please send your generous donations to: MCC for Human Services – PO Box 152658 Arlington, TX 76015

Dr. Kavakci with Mayor Reagon, Dr. Roach, Ms. Thomson and Dr. and Mrs. Basheer Ah-med

Members of the Board of Direc-tors MCCHS at Open House

Dr. and Mrs. Qureshi with Dr. and Mrs. Roach

Dr. Basheer Ahmed with President and Vice President of United Way, Tarrant Coun-try and Dr. Ra-bia Khan (President PSNT).

Progress in medical services 2010 – M Basheer Ahmed M.D. AL-SHIFA CLINIC MCCHS AlShifa Clinic is a charity care medical clinic that provides non-emergency services to uninsured and underinsured patients. In 2010 MCCHS physicians served 1232 patients. In 2009, we served 1183 patientsThe clinic provides diag-nostic laboratory services for indigent patients at a discounted rate and accesses thousands of dollars of donated medications to distribute as needed to patients free of charge. In 2010, 440 patients received dis-counted labs. MENTAL HEALTH MCCHS offers treatment to a vari-ety of patients with mental health problems. Majority of patients seen in our clinic are suffering from depression and stress related anxiety. In 2010, MCCHS has provided mental health and counseling ser-vices to 125 clients. In 2009 we served 93 clients. DENTAL CLINIC In 2010 MCCHS received a generous donation of equipment from a local retired dentist. In August, 2010 MCCHS opened a dental clinic to provide discounted services to needy patients. In 2010 MCCHS has provided dental services including x-ray, cleaning, extrac-tions, and fillings to 37 patients. EYE CLINIC Patients in need of eye examinations are seen at a monthly Eye Clinic where an optometrist performs an eye screening exam and a prescription for corrective lens. In 2010, MCCHS has provided services to 18 patients. Eighteen patients were seen in 2009 at the Eye Care clinic. BREAST CANCER MAMMOGRAMS AND EDUCATION MCCHS provides a breast cancer awareness program throughout the year. Services include breast cancer awareness education and pre-vention seminars made possible by a grant through the Susan G. Ko-men for the Cure Tarrant County. MCCHS provides coordination, registration and translation on site for patients and The Harris Meth-odist Mobile Unit of Fort Worth or Moncrief Cancer Resources pro-vide free mammograms for our patients. In 2010, 523 women have received these critically needed services. Tarrant County Medical Mission Day. This is a one-day medical mission event at area charity clinics organized by the Tarrant County Medical Society, the Dallas County Medical Society and the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Association of Charitable. Three physicians from Tarrant Medical Society volunteered their time at Al-Shifa Clinic. Three visiting physicians saw over 50 patients. In addition to the vol-unteer physicians from the Tarrant County Medical Society our own physicians and three medical students from Texas College of Osteo-pathic Medicine also volunteered at the clinic MCCHS participated in the Health Fair in South Dallas at MLK Center in Dallas. MCC provided Hypertension and Blood Glucose checkups. MCCHS held a Mini Health Fair at the Sudanese Ameri-can Association. Forty-five individuals received blood pressure and sugar checks at the fair and a similar health fair was organized at at Al-Hedayah Islamic center. MCCHS held a Physician Luncheon for female physician and fifteen women physicians participated in a meeting to expand the women’s clinic program. MCCHS held a luncheon for Tarrant Countymuslim physicians to provide information in regards to the clinic. 40 attended and Tar-rant County Project Access was discussed along with the need for support through participation in health fairs, and the need for financial assistance to support volunteer work in the clinic On Physician Day- Approximately 450 Pakistani Physicians 140 Volunteers in 40 cities provided health screening to 2500 individu-als throughout USA. AlShifa Clinic was one of the two sites in DFW participated in this event. 12 Pakistani Physicians along with several medical students and volunteers attended this event providing services to over 40 individuals.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS & GRANTS In 2010 MCCHS had two fundraising events in July and August 2010 approx. $84,000 was pledged at these fundraising events. The MCC DV group held luncheons and children’s fashion show was organized to benefit the Muslim Community Center’s Roshni program and able to raise $18000 for DV program. Tarrant County Indigent Care grant application approved The AlShifa clinic was one of the Tarrant County programs to receive funding to hire a nurse practitioner. This grant will enable the AlShifa clinic to extend the clinic hours from 2 days to 6 days a week to increase patient access to services and assist patients needing a medical home. Susan G. Komen grant application approved Since 2000, MCCHS has received consecutive funding from Susan G. Komen foundation to provide breast cancer education to immigrant women who may otherwise not have access to information. MCCHS Victims of Crime Act grant application approved MCCHS has secured a grant for the professional services of a social worker and caseworkers to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence. Islamic Relief grant application approved Funding from Islamic Relief helped MCC in providing education to youth and families on multiple issues parents are facing today. NUHA RAFEEK OUTREACH COORDINATOR WITH REFUGEE CENTER AND AT SUSAN G. KOMEN “RACE FOR CURE”

Nuha provides multiple services to refu-gees. She is with Interfaith refugee center on April 4, 2011

Nuha making the presentation of MCC services at the Inter-Faith refugee Cen-ter

MCC is grant recipient of Susan G. Ko-men Foundation , provides educational services on Breast Cancer and free Mam-mogram to indigents.

Nuha has been an active par-ticipant in all Susan G. Ko-men events. She is seen now at the Susan G. Komen “Race for Cure” on April 9, 2011

Progress Social services 2010 -Talaun Thompson LMSW HELPLINE MCCHS helps individuals who are in need of appoint-ment scheduling, information, or referrals. In 2010, 3320 helpline calls were processed. In 2009, 2847 helpline calls were processed. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MCCHS has a hotline for crisis interven-tion, appointment scheduling, information, or referrals for services. In 2010, 272 received help through the hotline. In addition to fielding calls to discuss information about available services, MCCHS provides immediate assistance to victims of domestic violence and child abuse. In 2010, MCCHS has provided direct services for 47 victims of domestic violence. Also in 2009, MCCHS assisted 47 victims of do-mestic violence. MCCHS organized a Domestic Violence training at MCC’s office. The training addressed strategies to identify signs of domestic violence; six participants attended this 3 hour training REFUGEE SERVICES MCCHS provides services of integration to prevent isolation and marginalization of refugees. In 2010, MCCHS provided translation, transportation, job placement, case manage-ment and/or counseling and food/clothing/house supplies to 40 refugee families living in Tarrant County. MCCHS had a Family Wellness Workshop at FunAsia –guests were provided information on keeping families healthy. Community Networking – 2010 Talaun Thompson MCCHS attended a at Salvation Army Center in Arlington. Many local organizations such as JPS health clinics, ISD, Girls INC, Mission Ar-lington, Social Security department, Cancer Care Services and Family Support Center. MCCHS participated in the Tarrant County Community Planning Committee in which leading organizations gathered to submit a plan for Tarrant County. MCCHS Chairs the Family Violence Committee and Co-Chairs the Victims of Crime Committee. This plan outlines the services needed and services provided by local agencies. MCC is an instrumental part in contributing to the plan.MCCHS also participated in Susan G Komen Grant writers net working meeting and are pro-vided information on the upcoming funding cycle and MCCHS along with the other current grantees introduced their breast cancer program. MCCHS has participated in a meeting with individuals from Tarrant County, who currently serve women in education or treatment of breast cancer. This meeting provided information about demographics of women and communities that were underserved and how we might reach these populations MCCHS attends a quarterly Tarrant County Providers meetings to discuss could collaborate to provide services to the community. Provid-ers from Tarrant County attend this meeting and discuss ways to im-prove the collaboration to affectively provide services to the commu-nity. Many local organizations such as JPS health clinics, ISD, Girls INC, Mission Arlington, Social Security department, Cancer Care Ser-vices and Family Support Center. MCCHS welcomed nine International Visitors from South Asia who came to MCC for human services to learn about MCC’s medical ser-vices to indigent residents and the social services, especially the do-mestic violence program, the child abuse program and the healthy mar-riages initiative. MCCHS has been attending Multicultural Alliance Interfaith meet-ings. The interfaith group encourages the fostering of peace and har-mony amongst residents of the DFW Metroplex and to determine how to develop and enhance interfaith communications, dispel myths/stereotypes and counter media. HotPepper 1220am radio talk show, aired every Saturday, 2 PM‐3 PM, in English and Urdu and where topics involving Couples conflicts and children were discussed.

Widows Facing Financial Distress Many widow especially those who become widow at a younger age and those whose husbands die after a short illness, face serious finan-cial problems. The major reason for this is the lack of knowledge and interest in financial affairs. Many spouses of professionals such as doctors, lawyers and business-men do not pay attention towards financial matter because most men handle these matters and many women do not take interest in fi-nances. Many individuals avoid talking about death, although everybody knows that death is inevitable. The subject is unpleasant but facing inevitable reality and preparing oneself with adequate knowledge will be extremely beneficial for a widow who has to cope with serious unpredictable situations. I will mention briefly what every wife should be knowledgeable about:

Do you know that you have a current updated living will “Meeting the Legal requirements”?

Do you know about the life insurance and beneficiaries? Do you know your current financial situations, such as income,

expenditures, savings, investments, debts and a net worth? Are you knowledgeable about all the important transactions

which may affect you and your children? Do you know where the important papers are kept, not just the

marriage and birth certificates? Have you met your attorney, CPA and financial planner and dis-

cuss the current financial situation? Our lives are not geared towards thinking about deaths since death is inevitable. It is better to learn the realities you are going to face after the death of the spouse. I am writing this brief note to make you alert and aware of your re-sponsibilities. In my opinion it is the primary responsibility of the men to make their spouses knowledgeable about the above mentioned facts. I am sure every men want their family to be peaceful after they depart from these world. MCC will be happy to organize the presentation to go over the details, if you so desire.

Visitors from Houston On February, 19th 2011, Dr. Mohammad Athar, Dr. Parveen Athar, Mr. & Mrs. Waseem Jilani visited the MCC for human services and Al-Shifa clinic. They are planning to start the charitable medical ser-vices and social services in Houston area and they were visiting the other clinics and centers that provide the charitable services to the local community. They spent several hours and had an opportunity to visit the volunteer physicians at Al-Shifa clinic and look at the Eye clinic, Dental clinic and the social service program. They were very impressed with the services the MCC offers to the local community.

Dr. Basheer Ah-med, Dr. Afia Mumtaz, , Dr. Parveen Athar, Mrs Jilani, Mr. JilaniDr. Athar Sitting: Dr. Shahida Khan, Dr. Rana Seals and Ms. Laila Choudhry (medical student)

Dr. Ahmed made a presen-tation along with Rabbi McLean burg and representa-tives of other faiths about the Islamic per-spective on “End of Life Decisions and Last Rites” to group of nurses and volunteers at hospice care Fort-Worth, Texas on March 11, 2011

Dr. Ahmed received recognition award from Islamic Medical As-sociation of North Texas

At the quarterly function of Islamic Medical Association North Texas Chapter on February, 12th 2011, Dr. Ahmed received a recognition award for his long services to IMANA and DFW community. Dr. Nabeel Syed the president of the North Texas IMANA Chapter presided the meeting and a large number of local physicians partici-pated at the meeting which was held at the Multi-Purpose hall of Plano Islamic Center. Imam Yaseen of Plano Masjid gave a talk on importance of giving back to the community and presented the award to Dr. Ahmed. The meeting was concluded by a brief presentation by Dr. Ahmed about the programs and projects of Muslim Community for Human Services and requesting the physicians to volunteer at the clinic and other projects.

Imam Yaseen pre-senting the Award

Editorial Board Editor, Noor Siddiqui

Advisors, M. Basheer Ahmed, M.D., Aftab Siddiqui Muslim Community Center News

Muslim Community Center News is a periodic publication of the Muslim Community Center for Human Services, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to serving humanity in general and

more specifically the Muslim community, irrespective of color, creed, country of origin. The Muslim Community Center for Human Ser-

vices is organized to empower the community to act on its own behalf to uplift its people. To strengthen our community, to face complex

challenges created by duality of culture, and lack of appropriate infra-structure impacting the domestic, social, and economic aspects of life. To offer and seek cooperation from other organizations working for

advancement towards cherished values of the society at large.