Our Story
A little back story on how the family found success and prosperity in the U.S. as we inherited our mother’s resilience and “never give up” attitude.
Our Beloved Mother & The Early Years
Mom came to the US as a Newlywed with no language or support. She found strength in Mama Maria (Italian Neighbor) and Father Carol (Priest in Fairview church). Nuha Salem and her husband migrated from Palestine with very little. They came to America in hopes of a better future. Together, they worked endlessly to raise 6 kids in the Hudson/Bergen County area. Though they had extended family, there was no support. Our dad struggled to make ends meet with such a large family in a new country. Our mom was determined to help and not see her family fall. She went to a trade school and worked at a hair salon (an unwomanly thing in our culture and community at her time). In return, extended family and community members looked down on her. However, she stayed determined and was only concerned with providing for her kids. Needless to say, she broke barriers.
Our Transformation began from low-income government assistant families to self-made middle-class business owners. They wanted something that will allow them to give back to their community while honoring the woman that raised them with high moral values sacrificing every day in every way to give her children the chance to live the “American Dream.” Ultimately, two of her daughters, Suha and Lisa, opened a daycare center named Grandmas Place to honor their mother. They were also determined not to end up like the status quo of their community.
Suha and Lisa managed to build an outstanding reputation for community service and quality care out of the center in the eyes of the state, county, and local officials as well as the immediate community it served. It now serves as community support up and provides high-quality care.
- At the same time, Ray Hassan graduated from tech school in a community where education wasn’t as manly as going to work, which was another barrier broken. After working with Cadillac for fifteen years, he started an auto repair facility in 2003 from scratch with repair bays and now has an outstanding reputation and has expanded to twelve bays.
Our mom helped steer us into giving back for what Allah (God) has given us. She guided us to start donating to local community organizations and third-world projects for humanity. Furthermore, she gave to individuals from the community who were in need, local mosques, and charitable organizations. She also bought hospital equipment and helped build schools in third-world countries.
Our World Turned Upside Down
Our mother was diagnosed with cancer and was given six months to a year to live. As the years went by, she felt we needed to do more because we were so blessed for living the American Dream, as we built ourselves from scratch and were fortunate enough to help others.
For years, our mother was interested in opening a school to help shape the young minds of our community and provide them the foundation and love for learning. With the assistance of his sisters, Ray of Sunshine was founded.
- Our Mother came up with the name Ray of Sunshine because she said brother Ray was her hope.
Passing of our beloved mother.
- Mid 2017 Ray decided we need to finish what our mother started.
- We used what we were suppose to inherit as initial cash flow and began to navigate the world of nonprofit.
- We looked for community support and found everyone just wanted the money and wasn’t really in tuned with our plan.
- We gathered a few close friends and began to search ideas.
- A realtor friend brought us the Teaneck property.
Continued Our Mother's Legacy
Ray of Sunshine was approved as a non-profit organization. Ray decided to create a Sister non-profit in honor of our mother, Al’Ummah Community Center
- Al’ Ummah means “the people” in Arabic and derives from the root word “Um” which is the Arabic word for mom.
Brokers found Teaneck property and Mohamad Salem our beloved cousin who we lost touch with for years came into the Project through the Grace of Allah (SWT).
First event at Reyco in Fairview, New Jersey to introduce the organization and it's mission to the community.
Summer festival to connect with different organizations and community members at Reyco Auto in Fairview, New Jersey.
Five star Dinner where we officially introduced the Center and it's mission.
- We were looking for partners and donors.
- Teaneck Officials were also in attendance.
Closed on Teaneck Property.
Events Leading Up To Lawsuit
Meet and Greet with neighbors-door to door to invite them to refreshments, in honor of our mother’s birthday and miraculous acquisition of the center.
Informal meetings at Teaneck Property to review options for renovations and project.
- Town Officials said that they were happy we chose Teaneck and town lawyer, John Shananian and his associate assured us that they would move heaven and earth to make our project work.
- THE ZONING OFFICIAL , Dan Malfi promised us a “road map to make it happen” on how to get this done.
- Highest town official said” all you need is our lawyer for formalities and $1500 for processing, and one formal meeting it’s a done deal.”
- Issued demolition permits.
Met with town officials formally to unveil plan and get input.
- Dan Melfi said we must keep prayer room ratio as is to maintain religious status.
- Change the name Al’ Ummah because secludes general population and only attracts certain target markets.
Dan Malfi met with our building engineer, without our knowledge, to come up with a presumptively required parking calculation, as the property was zoned public property and religious entity, so there were no limits!
Building Department denied our application and pushed us to zoning, despite changing plans to accommodate the request.
Dan Malfi and Mark B. met with our attorney and engineer and refused to let us in the meeting, which we found out about by accident.
First zoning meeting, Teaneck Superintendent and Teaneck High School Swim Coach spoke in support of the project and benefits of the community center for the town.
- Board meeting kept getting postponed , when we did get our turn they allowed people to ramble on running the clock causing for continuations.
- Plans were changed numerous times to accommodate Zoning Board requests!
Building Department finally issued a temporary CO just for daycare portion of the building and we were able to open our private daycare.
Meet and Greet at site commemorating beloved mother on what would be her birthday.
- Harassment from neighbors started immediately.
Fall Fest for local neighbors which included a pumpkin patch, Arts & Crafts, and refreshments.
- Volunteered a treat station at Bergen County Fall Fest with supplies.
Contract with Teaneck Board Of Education and have been providing preschool services to present.
Teaneck Township went virtual and our attorney was informed by zoning official that we had to wait for in person zoning meetings to continue our application.
Events to Attract Local Community
AUCC was one of the few centers in the immediate area to apply, and get granted an Emergency License and opened doors to cater to First responders children.
AUCC Youth volunteers created the Generation Z Youth Committee to amplify their voice and empower the youth through community service.
AUCC Gen Z Volunteers created Art Care Packages for kids of struggling families to combat the mental health impact of quarantining on children.
AUCC Food Drive, families in need and organizations from Teaneck and all of Bergen County were provided with food.
Gen Z Volunteers collected and fundraised for school supplies for a hundred students whose families struggled financially, especially because of COVID.
AUCC Gen Z Youth wrote cards and made goodie bags for every pediatric patient at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck to uplift them on Valentine’s Day.