AWB 2015 Welcome Packet

Choose the alternative I Make an impact I Connecting through service

Alternative Winter Break

Miami, Florida

January 5th – January 9th, 2015


WELCOME TO ALTERNATIVE WINTER BREAK 2015

Happy New Year to all!

Ya Ali Madad and Happy New Year! Congratulations on being selected to participate in our first ever Alternative Winter Break! You were selected because of your outstanding commitment to community and your passion for service. This time of year, we often reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. In 2014, our globe continued to be riddled with violent conflict and destitute poverty, yet throughout the past year, we have witnessed hope and opportunity -‐ often as a result of students and youth who have championed progress in ways both small and large. We are thrilled that each one of you has decided to spend your vacation time in service to others. It is these types of acts of kindness and partnership, which transform and uplift communities. We hope that you will be inspired in the coming week -‐-‐ by your brothers and sisters in faith from around the country; by the incredible work of Habitat for Humanity and other community-‐based organizations; by the talented and experienced AWB staff and speakers; and by the exciting energy (and sunshine, of course) in Miami. We are confident that when you return home, your AWB experiences will inform the wonderful work you do in your own communities and schools.

We hope that you have a great time over your Winter Break and wish you safe journeys!

Sincerely,

Zahra, Daya-‐Hayat, President of Shia Imami Ismaili Council for Florida

Alkarim Alidina, Chairperson of ITREB-‐USA

Aleem Remtula, Chairperson of AKEB-‐USA

Zahra Kassam, Chairperson of AKYSB-‐USA


MIAMI WEATHER

MORE ABOUT MIAMI-‐DADE COUNTY1

The poverty rate of Miami-‐Dade County is 20%, which ranks Miami-‐Dade as the 16th poorest amongst large counties. The city of Miami has the highest poverty rate for a city of its size in the US, with nearly a third of the population living in poverty. A full-‐time worker earning minimum wage earns an annual salary of $10,712 while the US census defines poverty as annual income below $17,603 for a family of four.

The fair market rent (FMR) in Miami-‐Dade County is $593 for a one-‐bedroom unit, and $727 for a two-‐bedroom unit. In Florida, 43% of renters are unable to afford* FMR for a two-‐bedroom unit. A minimum wage earner can afford a monthly rent of no more than $268, and would have to work 109 hours per week to afford a two-‐bedroom unit at the area’s FMR.

Miami-‐Dade County suffers from a severe shortage of affordable housing. Of the existing stock of affordable housing, many units are substandard: one of every three apartment buildings in the county repeatedly fails to meet safety standards, leaving the tenants vulnerable to fire and health hazards. In an attempt to make housing affordable, many families move in with other families, leading to severe overcrowding. These close quarters in unlicensed, substandard properties lead to unhealthy living conditions for its residents. Thousands of families live in unsafe environments with high rents.

The availability of affordable rental housing is slim and families are being priced out of the housing market. Homeownership rates throughout the nation having risen, yet in Miami-‐Dade County homeownership rates have decreased to 49.3% -‐ among the lowest for metropolitan areas in the United States.

Increasing homeownership improves the quality of neighborhoods by increasing both the length of time families remain in the neighborhood and their involvement in their community. Homeowners are more likely than renters to be involved in civic activities and improving the quality of life of their surrounding community. Homeownership stabilizes neighborhoods by

1 http://www.miamihabitat.org/need


replacing abandoned lots with properties that generate tax dollars. Homeownership also boosts a neighborhood’s wealth through the increase of equity and the mortgage interest tax deductions.

Since 1989, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami has been working within the community to build decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need, volunteers and donors. Habitat breaks down economic and social barriers by bringing people of different races, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds to work together for a common goal. Through the work of Miami Habitat, its donors and volunteers over 450 families have been given the opportunity to own a safe and affordable home.

* According to Chapter 420 of the Florida Statues, "Affordable" means that monthly rents or monthly mortgage payments including taxes, insurance, and utilities do not exceed 30 percent annual income for a household.


ACCOMODATIONS AND TRAVEL

Hotel Information:

La Quinta Inn Coral Springs University Drive

3701 University Dr

Coral Springs, FL 33065

Phone: 954-‐753-‐9000

NOTE: A volunteer will pick you up from the airport and drop you off at the hotel. You will also be dropped off at the airport at the end of the trip. The volunteers will be getting in touch with you via text to let you know when they will pick you up.

Please let Preeti (contact info below) know if you experience any delays or changes with your flight.

AWB STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

Name Phone Number Email Address Preeti Bhanwadia 813-‐495-‐7442 [email protected] Tanya Ghaziani 312-‐756-‐9305 [email protected] Salima Ali 469-‐235-‐7576 [email protected] Alykhan Alani 610-‐247-‐5578 [email protected] Shehzad Ukhani 630-‐696-‐5675 [email protected] Nausheen Husain 630-‐484-‐4706 [email protected] Furhana Husani 917-‐361-‐5603 [email protected]

AWB GROUP LEADS

Name Phone Number Email Address Karimi Minell 408-‐306-‐3911 [email protected] Hiba Dhanani 781-‐526-‐4789 [email protected] Shefali Lakhani 678-‐478-‐1628 [email protected] Sanif Maredia 979-‐571-‐5173 [email protected]


ROOM AND GROUP LISTS

Group Lead Room No. Participant Name Sanif Maredia Room1 Tarunn Bhende Room2 Natasha Gulam Room3 Sheetal Jiwani Room4 Khadija Ladhani Room5 Mehak Delawalla Room6 Narmeen Rehmani Shefali Lakhani Room1 Zain Mohammad Room2 Fatima Chagani Room3 Alysha Alani Room4 Soniya Surani Room5 Armeen Sayani Room6 Cynthia Chaggan Hiba Dhanani Room1 Saif Sarfani Room2 Sarosh Nandwani Room3 Mehak Noorani Room4 Laila Jiwani Room5 Alishah Pirwani Room6 Azmina Panjwani Minell Karimi Room1 Farhan Manjiyani Room2 Sadaf Gillani Room3 Shamila Ali Room4 Naaz Lakhani Room5 Roheen Ali Room6 Arisha Ladha


Alternative Winter Break 2015 Monday, January 5th, 2015

Time Activity Location Details Before 6:00pm Arrival and check-‐

in La Quinta Please check in at the registration desk

in the lobby! 6:00pm Introductions Conference Room Icebreakers; Set expectations,

parameters; Reflections 6:30pm Orientation Conference Room Introduction to Habitat for Humanity,

local community and rebuilding efforts 7:30pm Prayers Conference Room 8:00pm Dinner Conference Room Dinner discussions and networking 9:00pm Evening Discussion Conference Room Discussion on the AKDN Ethical

Framework 10:30pm Close Conference Room Exercise in Gratitude 10:30pm Staff + Group Lead

Debrief Conference Room

Tuesday, January 6th, 2015 Time Activity Location Details 6:30 am Breakfast Dining Room Morning inspiration exercises 7:15 am Travel to project

site Bus Orientation and training will be

conducted on site 7:45 am Service Project On-‐site 11:30 am Lunch On-‐site 3:00pm Travel to hotel Bus Reflection activities on bus? 3:30pm Arrive back at the

hotel + Free time La Quinta Clean up / Rest

5:00pm Reflections Conference Room Debrief / reflections on the day. Evaluation based on specific AKDN ethics (break out groups)

6:00pm Dinner Conference Room Interfaith dinner discussions: -‐ intersections of faith, service, social responsibility

7:30pm Prayers Conference Room 8:00pm Evening Discussion Conference Room • Concept of charity within Islam

• Workshop on privilege 10:30pm Close Exercise in Gratitude 10:30pm Staff + Group Lead



Wednesday, January 7th, 2015 Time Activity Location Details 6:30 am Breakfast Dining Room Morning inspiration exercises 7:15 am Travel to project

site Bus

7:45 am Service Project On-‐site 11:30 am Lunch On-‐site 3:00pm Travel to hotel Bus Reflection activities on bus? 3:30pm Arrive back at the

hotel + Free time La Quinta Clean up / Rest

5:00pm Reflections Conference Room Debrief / reflections on the day. Evaluation based on specific AKDN ethics (break out groups)

6:00pm Dinner Conference Room TENTATIVE: Dinner with President Zahra 7:30pm Prayers Conference Room 8:00pm Evening Discussion Conference Room • Social Conscience in Professions

• Concept of change 10:30pm Close Exercise in Gratitude 10:30pm Staff + Group Lead


Thursday, January 8th, 2015

Time Activity Location Details 6:30 am Breakfast Dining Room Morning inspiration exercises 7:15 am Travel to project

site Bus

7:45 am Service Project On-‐site 11:30 am Lunch On-‐site 3:00pm Travel to hotel Bus Reflection activities on bus? 3:30pm Arrive back at the

hotel + Free time La Quinta Clean up / Get dressed for JK

5:00pm Reflections Conference Room Debrief / reflections on the day. Evaluation based on specific AKDN ethics

6:00pm Dinner Conference Room TENTATIVE: Dinner and discussion with Dr. Zahra Jamal

7:00pm Travel to JK Bus 8:30pm Explore the city Bus Bring money for snacks / coffee 10:30pm Travel to Hotel Bus 10:30pm Closing Activity Conference Room Final reflections / exercise in gratitude,

video / picture presentation 11:30pm Staff + Group Lead



Friday, January 9th, 2015 Time Activity Location Details 6:30 am Breakfast Dining Room Discussion: Where do we go from here?

9:30 am Adjourn


PACKING LIST

In an effort to help you prepare for your participation in the Alternative Winter Break, below are reminders and suggestions for what to bring with you. This list is not comprehensive but should be a useful starting guide.

Be sure to remember:

– health insurance card – government-‐issued photo identification card – any prescription medicines you need – any other health related items (glasses, contact lenses, inhaler, etc.)

What to pack:

This year’s AWB program includes (a) a hands-‐on service component during the day, for which we are partnering with Habitat for Humanity in their rehabilitation work, and (b) group discussion sessions and activities during the evening.

(a) For the daytime service project, Habitat for Humanity will provide us with training, tools, and personal protective equipment. The work may be messy; the weather may be warm.

To dress appropriately for the work, you should bring:

-‐ extra socks

-‐ work boots/sturdy shoes (please no sandals, crocs or open toe shoes)

-‐ long sleeve shirts/tops and pants made with thick material (jeans, carpenters or cargo pants)

-‐ light clothing that can get dirty

-‐ if you would like to bring gloves, please do so. Habitat for Humanity will not have gloves available.

(b) For most of our evening group activities, casual clothes will be fine. Be mindful that we will have outside guests and facilitators so dress respectfully and appropriately. On Thursday evening, we will attend Fort Lauderdale Jamatkhana for prayers, a discussion forum and dinner. Smart casual attire is recommended for Thursday evening.

Other general packing tips: You will be sharing your hotel rooms, so pack appropriately. Remember that Fort Lauderdale can get warm. Check the weather forecasts before you depart so you are prepared. Pack any attire you may need for these activities.

Meals and transportation during the program will be provided. We recommend bringing pocket money for additional snacks, drinks, toiletries, etc. that you may want to buy.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you at AWB!

Documents

AWB 2015 Welcome Packet