As volunteers, Diane and Dalia are trying to raise money for Mohamed, a resilient young man from Mauritania who has survived unimaginable hardship. At just 18 years old, he is navigating life in a new country, alone, without family, and without the resources most of us take for granted.
Mohamed arrived in the U.S. in 2024 as a minor survivor of labor trafficking, having escaped, traveling through three other countries before arriving in the U.S. He was placed in an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) shelter in Fullerton, California. Just before his 18th birthday, he was referred to Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS), as the shelter would no longer house him when he turned 18. Volunteers were found to temporarily house him in Irvine, after which an apartment was found with roommates. Mohamed is currently enrolled in classes towards a GED to further his dream of attending college to be an aeronautical engineer.
The result of federal and state funding cuts have meant that JFCS is no longer able to support Mohamed financially. Though he has legally been granted asylum, all funding for his food and shelter has run out. Mohamed is still waiting for his Employment Authorization documents to legally work.
He needs financial support to cover:
- Rent
- Food and basic living expenses
- Transportation
- Education support
- Psychological services to address trauma
- Community integration and mentorship
Who is Mohamed?
Mohamed is shy, kind, intelligent, and deeply motivated to build a better future. He loves to read, play chess and basketball, and is interested in math. Mohamed's native language is Arabic, but he is learning to speak, read and write English rapidly. He talks to his mother and younger sisters by phone when phone service in his village is working. Mohamed has expressed amazement at how generous and kind Americans have been since being released from the shelter.
Your generosity is more than a donation, it is a powerful act of compassion in making this a kinder, gentler world, taking care of the stranger.
Together, we can help Mohamed move from trauma to joy, survival to stability, and from fear to hope.
Please let Mohamed know that the American dream is still alive and well! Please give what you can, share this widely, and be part of his journey. Every act of kindness brings Mohamed one step closer to a future of opportunity, safety, and peace.
Many thanks,
Diane and Dalia