Lakewood Area Collaborative Celebrates Another Year, Presents Helping Hands Award

With a mission to engage and empower children and parents and thus support strong and healthy families, The Lakewood Area Collaborative recently celebrated another year of service to the community. The Collaborative works to link and support a network of helping organizations, schools, community groups, businesses, agencies and individuals who serve those families within the west suburbs of Cuyahoga County and Cleveland down to the airport. 

In May at the last meeting of the 2015-2016 program year The Lakewood Area Collaborative recognized an individual who had made a major contribution to the well-being of all in our region. The Helping Hands Award was chosen from a group of nominations from our membership – and all nominated had provided incredible support to the community. 

Nahida Farunia’s nomination caught the eye of the Collaborative Leadership Team due to the impact on the community, the relevance of her work and number of years of service. While all nominees deserved recognition, Nahida was chosen to receive the prestigious Lakewood Area Collaborative Helping Hands Award for program year 2016.  Joining us to celebrate their mother’s recognition were three of her children, pictured.

Nahida probably does not see herself as a community activist: She would say that what she does is who she is, and giving to her family and community is definitely a huge part of her identity.  

Below is the submission to have Nahida considered for the Helping Hands Award.

Nahida’s Story:

"Nahida started volunteering in Lakewood Schools when her children were younger, some 29 years ago. She also became involved in a drop-in program for Lakewood parents of school age children where she got to know other parents. As a Muslim woman this helped nourish friendships and understanding amongst those attending. 

An incident at an area swimming pool helped spark Nahida’s involvement in the community. The staff at a local pool asked her to leave the pool as she was not permitted to wear her hijab, or head cover. This was a difficult situation for her, since Nahida’s friend who was a Catholic nun was also wearing a head cover. Her friend was not only permitted in the pool, but seemed to be effortlessly accepted by the staff.

Nahida brought the incident to the attention of Lakewood City Hall and then Mayor Madeline Cain, who responded quickly & efficiently in properly handling the matter by allowing women of all faiths and traditions to be openly welcomed in public at all facilities.

Then September 11, 2001 occurred. During this horrifying time for everyone, Nahida became involved with community relations, helping Mayor Cain work on safety and tolerance in Lakewood, speaking in churches and community groups, promoting peace, understanding and acceptance of others, drawing differentiation between Muslims of faith and those of hate.

This later led to working with families around the work and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and how Muslims were thankful for his ministry and mission as he was a champion of the rights and worth of all people.

In 2004, Nahida was chosen as one of the “The Most Interesting Women in Cleveland” by Cleveland Magazine and received honors presented at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

She was hailed for being instrumental in building the bridge of understanding between the religions of Christianity and Islam across the region.

Through the years Nahida has served on the Lakewood Public Library Board, became involved with the Lakewood Department of Human Services, Division of Youth helping the staff serve area families, and worked on many Lakewood City Hall programs, including most recently, the Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission.

Nahida’s contributions to the community are seemingly limitless – she is a champion of all people, loves serving others, and continues to help out in various ways, including interpreting for immigrant families and leading women’s groups.

Today she continues to volunteer – AND work a full time job - and give back to the community who has helped her raise her family, provide her employment and has given her a chance to make a difference in the world. Nahida is an example to us all, and I am very grateful for her impact on our community."

Thank You

We at The Lakewood Area Collaborative would like to thank Nahida as well as all those who do so much – and often go unrecognized. Many people make that strong fabric that connects us all.

Thank you Nahida for being an inspiration to many - planting the seeds of friendship, peace and understanding, setting the example of inclusiveness and seeing the best in each other.

The Lakewood Area Collaborative will gather again on Thursday August 25, 2016, 12:30 – 2 p.m. at the Lakewood Park Woman’s Club Pavilion to begin our 2016-2017 program year. All are welcome as we come together for a pot luck luncheon for Collab members, friends and guests. We meet to network, collaborate, and learn through our Spotlight Series. Mark your calendar and join us!

Get more information on The Lakewood Area Collaborative:

- "Like" us on Facebook at "Lakewood Area Collaborative"

- Visit our website at http://www.thelakewoodfoundation.org/#!family-collab

- Email at lakewoodareacollab@gmail.com

- Follow us on Twitter @LkwdAreaCollab

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Volume 12, Issue 12, Posted 5:02 PM, 06.07.2016