The Founder's Note
Throughout my life, I’ve volunteered for countless organizations, from Masjidullah’s Soup Kitchen, St. Jude’s, the YMCA, and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. While I’ve loved every moment of making sandwiches for the community, creating inspirational cards for kids with cancer, conversing with senior citizens, and serving hot meals; I felt as though I could make an even more substantial impact in other areas that focus specifically on personal matters that also play a significant role in the lives of others physically and mentally.
I knew of many organizations that primarily donated food and clothes, but only a handful presented hygiene products. In addition, “The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are federally funded health and nutrition programs. SNAP and WIC help low-income families and their children.” However, hygiene products are not included in either of those programs. That’s when I knew I needed to step in. I had the passion for filling a void: unspoken hygiene poverty crisis, specifically within marginalized and underserved communities.
It is concluded that research has shown that improved hygiene practices can lead to increased confidence rates, classroom engagement and class attendance; decreased insecurity rates, the transmission of viruses, bullying, depression, and other mental ailments. Considering this, my organization is working to address issues such as hygiene product accessibility, period poverty, and youth involvement that plague BIPOC communities. By increasing their access to hygiene products, underrepresented families have the prospect of developing better physical and mental health practices.
About the Founder
Ms. Aliyah Saleem is an undergraduate student at Rutgers University majoring in Public and Nonprofit Administration and minoring in Health and Society. She is a 2022 Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service Recipient, Johnson & Johnson Pathway to Success participant, Former New Jersey Orator (Plainfield Chapter), and Johnson & Johnson Bridge to Employment Alumna. She resides in Plainfield, New Jersey, and has a history of volunteering for several organizations. Ms. Saleem has dedicated well over 300 hours of community service. She is inspired to lead, educate and empower others, take on new challenges, and make a lasting impact in communities worldwide.
The hygiene poverty rates are alarming. No one should ever have to choose between putting food on the table or purchasing hygiene products to maintain good health. Now more than ever, good hygiene practices should be highly ENCOURAGED. Everyone deserves equal access to products that keep them healthy and clean.
It's pretty simple. I LOVE what I do and believe in the tremendous impact WE can make TOGETHER! We all have the capability of making the world a safer, happier, and more sustainable place for ALL. Hope for Health and Hygiene is committed to doing just that… one product, one donor, and one volunteer at a time.
