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| Najah Bassy |
Bazzy, who operates the 501c3 nonprofit which works to help households meet their basic needs and break the cycle of poverty, was named as one of CNN's heroes in 2019. She has used the funding raised during the “Share the Love” Subaru GoFundMe campaign which accompanied the CNN designation to continue to help families in Inkster and throughout the families.
The organization works to empower households with training and vocational programs and features a workforce development kitchen to sell baked goods online. It also has an industrial sewing school and a culinary school. All are located inside a 45,000 square foot Inkster warehouse on Trowbridge Street.
Bazzy's work in Inkster and Metro Detroit and around the world has gotten her recognized by outlets like CNN and People Magazine. She started Zaman International out of the back of her van in 1996 and now it has grown into the huge facility in Inkster. Through a voucher program, women have access to free basic needs like food and clothing. The organization also offers job-ready skill training and language and literacy classes.Clients at the culinary arts program are trained and the kitchen produces baked goods marketed online as a way to fund the ongoing operations. There is also an onsite Client Choice Food Pantry and Mobile Hot Food Pantry. Zaman is an official partner of Gleaners Community Food Bank. The Zaman's Client Choice Food Pantry allows families to choose culturally appropriate and nutritionally balanced food each month. The Mobile Hot Food Pantry delivers meals, created by the culinary arts students, to home-bound families in need. The organization also offers a case management program for clients and the Plots for Tots infant burial program which assists families that cannot afford a proper burial for their fetus, infant or toddler. Zaman also works in humanitarian relief internationally in partnership with International Medical Corps.
Zaman supports the building of wells in some of the most devastated communities around the world and helps communities recover from natural disasters and violent conflicts.
In addition to cash, Zaman International accepts donations of gently used clothing and goods. To donate, visit the Zaman International website and click the link to view donation bin locations, or fill out a simple form so a staff member can make arrangements to accept donations.
Zaman accepts clothing, home furnishings, household appliances, kitchen accessories and bedroom furniture in good condition, clean and working. A complete list can be found on the donate goods page on the Zaman website.
Bazzy explained that every day, parents are forced to choose between purchasing food for their families or paying the costs of housing, utilities and other essentials. Zaman International is committed to taking action so these families and their children won't have to go a day without a meal, she said.
Currently, families in need receive culturally appropriate and nutritionally balanced food each month from the Client Choice Food Pantry. Home-bound clients receive regular deliveries of hot meals prepared in our Culinary Arts Kitchen.
For more information about the Client Choice Food Pantry and other services, contact Zaman at info@zamaninternational.org or (313) 551-3994.
