Transforming Communities: Zakat Foundation of America’s Mission in Action

Halil Demir, Executive Director and Founder of Zakat Foundation of America, has spent the bulk of his life taking care of others. From witnessing strife in refugee camps to seeing members of his South Side, Chicago community face hunger and homelessness, he has seen that poverty is far-reaching—but he’s never let that notion overshadow his love for helping and giving back. Instead, he’s used it as a motivator, creating Zakat Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to enrich the lives of those facing poverty while also aiding them.

The difference between enrichment and aid is that enrichment is the key to lifelong change. It’s the difference between giving a family a meal and equipping them for food-resilient farming. It’s a hand-up instead of a hand-out.

 

© image courtesy of Zakat Foundation of America