Building Community with Intention and Heart

Dear Mozaic Family,

As summer begins and our community gathers in celebration, reflection, and purpose, we’re reminded of the power of connection — across tables, across stories, and across borders.

In this month’s newsletter, we share moments from our World Refugee Day gathering, where we honored the strength of women and youth who have rebuilt their lives with courage. And we look ahead with hope as we launch two new campaigns to support families inside Syria — because healing doesn’t stop at resettlement, and compassion knows no borders.

Thank you for standing with us, and with them.

Mini Hajj Experience
This month, students from the Kids Sira Club and their families took part in a hands-on “Mini Hajj” experience at the Mozaic Center. Through this immersive activity, children learned the steps and rituals of Hajj in an engaging and memorable way. We’re deeply thankful to the parents and volunteers who made this possible. Every child left with new knowledge—and a thoughtful Eid gift.

Support programs like this at mozaicdmv.org/donate

Kids Sira Club Graduation Celebration
After two inspiring years of exploring the life and legacy of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), the Kids Sira Club marked their grand graduation in true Mozaic style! ✨

The celebration was filled with joy and pride as our young graduates were honored with beautiful flower bouquets, personalized certificates, and a cozy hot chocolate party to remember. Families and community members joined in a heartwarming gathering that included duʿāʼs, storytelling, and reflections on the powerful lessons learned.

It was a magical and emotional finale to a remarkable journey of faith, love, and connection with the Prophet’s (ﷺ) seerah—one that these children will carry with them for a lifetime. 🎓🌹📖☕

Help us continue nurturing young hearts at mozaicdmv.org/donate

Mozaic Kitchen: Fulfilling Orders with Purpose

This summer, Mozaic Kitchen has been hard at work preparing and fulfilling a growing number of corporate lunch and breakfast orders. These orders do more than feed — they create meaningful employment for refugee women in our community, offering both income and dignity through their culinary skills.

We’re especially grateful to those who continue to support this initiative. Your partnership sustains not just a kitchen, but the lives and livelihoods of refugee chefs who are working hard to overcome the rising costs of living and food supplies.

Every order makes a difference. Thank you for choosing food with purpose.

To place an order or receive our current menu, please email us at mozaickitchendmv@gmail.comm We’d love to serve your next event with food that nourishes and empowers.

Empower refugee women through dignified work by donating at mozaicdmv.org/donate

Furniture Support for a New Afghan Family

We helped furnish the home of a newly arrived Afghan family this month in partnership with their extended relatives. These kinds of collaborations model sustainable community care. While we are pausing new furniture intakes for now, we remain committed to responding when urgent needs arise.
Contribute to resettlement efforts at mozaicdmv.org/donate

Know Your Rights: Immigration Workshop

Mozaic staff recently participated in an important training titled “Know Your Rights: Protecting Yourself and Your Community.” The session was hosted by the Capital Area Muslim Bar Association and provided valuable legal guidance to help us better support families navigating immigration-related concerns.

We are committed to sharing this knowledge with our community and ensuring that families feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Support advocacy and legal education by giving at mozaicdmv.org/donate

World Refugee Day at Mozaic: A Tea Party with Refugees

As communities around the world came together to mark World Refugee Day in many powerful ways, Mozaic chose to celebrate in the most personal way — by gathering with the refugees themselves and honoring their resilience.

We hosted a heartfelt tea party for over 30 refugee women and teenage girls, creating a space of joy, storytelling, and reflection. It was an evening to honor their resilience, uplift their voices, and recognize the quiet strength behind every journey.

Each family left with hygiene kits, food packs, and thoughtful gifts for their children — tangible reminders that they are not only welcome, but deeply valued.

Help us continue this effort into July by contributing to our next round of hygiene packages:

🧼 Purchase an item from our wishlist : https://bit.ly/summerhygienedrive

Your generosity ensures our newest neighbors feel seen, supported, and celebrated — not just on one day, but every day.

 

Youth Crochet Class: Connecting Through Craft

This summer, Mozaic proudly launched its Youth Crochet Class, bringing together 15 talented girls—many from families we support—to learn the timeless art of crochet.

More than just a skill, crochet became a way to build confidence, spark creativity, and form meaningful connections.

Led by dedicated instructors, the class has quickly become a beautiful space of learning, laughter, and sisterhood.

Thank you to everyone who made this initiative possible! Support youth development programs at mozaicdmv.org/donate

Tahara Class for Young Girls

This summer, Mozaic launched a special Tahara Class for girls ages 12–16, led by our founder Raghad Bushnaq.

The class focuses on Islamic purification, personal hygiene, and self-respect, all taught in a supportive and faith-centered environment.

Each session empowers young girls with knowledge, confidence, and a sense of dignity, helping them navigate this important stage of life with clarity and pride.

Invest in mindful education at mozaicdmv.org/donate

🇸🇾 Mozaic’s Next Chapter: Two Campaigns for Syria

As we continue to walk alongside refugee families here, Mozaic is also turning its heart and hands toward Syria, launching two people-powered campaigns to support families inside the country:

1. To Syria With Love

Focused on education and empowerment, this campaign will:

• Restore classrooms and safe learning environments

• Provide students with healthy daily meals and back-to-school packages

• Offer vocational and professional development to help youth and families build a future with dignity
  

Because going back to school is the first step toward healing, be a part of their healing process by donating to https://mozaic.kindful.com/?campaign=1365122

2. Rebuilding Hope in Syria

This campaign supports internally displaced families by helping them return home — literally.

• We will restore damaged homes, one at a time, so families can reclaim the stability and safety they’ve lost

• Every home we rebuild is a quiet act of resistance against despair — and a step toward recovery rooted in community

Your support is much needed https://mozaic.kindful.com/?campaign=1365826

BIG NEWS: We Got the Grant!

We’re thrilled to announce that Mozaic has received a grant from Virginia Humanities to publish a powerful collection of refugee stories and recipes, honoring culture, resilience, and the shared language of food. 🍲

This project will spotlight the incredible journeys of refugee families while preserving their heritage through heartwarming meals and memories. ✨

Huge thanks to Virginia Humanities for believing in the power of storytelling and community healing! 💛

Want to help bring more refugee voices to life? Donate today and support programs that uplift, empower, and inspire. 👇https://mozaicdmv.org/donate

📚 Mozaic Library Update

Exciting things are happening at the Mozaic Library! We’re expanding our collection with new books and preparing to launch our membership and lending system soon.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing youth volunteers who are working diligently to organize and enter the books into our new system — your dedication is truly appreciated!

We’re also incredibly grateful to our generous donors whose contributions have added great value to our growing collection. Stay tuned — the Mozaic Library is almost ready to welcome readers!

Art Workshop: Voices of Color
In partnership with students from Washington International School, Mozaic launched Voices of Color, an art workshop for children and youth from refugee families. Through guided sessions, participants are exploring art as a tool for self-expression and storytelling. The final exhibit will showcase their work and voices.
Support creative healing and expression at mozaicdmv.org/donate

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FUXykZNmmjt3e2spwztgefEpiMuxGJjH?usp=sharing

Youth Volunteers Leading the Way
This summer has been energized by our youth volunteers and college intern. From supporting center activities to offering new ideas, their presence has brought inspiration and joy to Mozaic. We’re proud to partner with the next generation of changemakers.
Nurture future leaders by donating at mozaicdmv.org/donate

Thank you for being part of the Mozaic family.
Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected community—one rooted in dignity, compassion, and hope.