SCM is amazing. It gives me the chance to help load containers with medical equipment and supplies. I can bring my daughter to help load too -- and to teach her how to be a better citizen of the world. I know that SCM is getting every single supply and dollar donated to people who need it the most: to refugees in Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. I have known Rita, head of SCM, for 30 years, and no one has a bigger heart or a better ability to network and tap into everyone else's big hearts. She gets us donating supplies, she gets a truck driver to donate his time to bring his container and drive it to the port. She gets the container on a ship bound for Turkey. She gets someone to drive the container/truck to the border with Syria or to Lebanon or to Jordan. I don't how she does it, but she does. And I know people who have gone with her to the centers she has set up in Jordan ,and those people have helped to distribute the clothes and medical supplies and hand-knitted baby hats to the folks who need them and wear them. So I personally know that all the supplies I've loaded in Seattle have gone to people in need in the Middle East. No overhead, just the biggest hearts in the world. I love SCM.
Longtime commitment to a wide range of valuable projects ranging from cultural education to material aid at home and abroad. SCM and founder Rita Zuweideh are tireless and inspirational in their ongoing work of gathering and sending important medical, hygiene and survival supplies to refugees and disaster survivors in the the Middle East and elsewhere; aiding incoming people arriving in the country and even sometimes making their way across other countries; making needed connections between people in their wide local, national and international network; and even carrying food and supplies to local King County people struggling with poverty and homelessness. For decades they have been closely involved as organizers and resources for cultural and political actions on many fronts. We don't understand how they find the hours in the day to achieve and make possible everything they do.
If there are refugees in need, SCM will find a way to help, even sometimes when it would seem impossible. Their dedication and resourcefulness inspire many volunteers and supporters to help with their mission. SCM has made a world of difference in the lives of thousands, and makes our world a better place.
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SCM is simply fabulous---wonderful people coming from the heart and activating the community to accomplish real miracles. They have an army of knitters and quilters all over two countries turning out beautiful warm hats and other items for refugees---largely children--- living in tents in the desert, and crowded into city apartments. They raise money to purchase solar lamps so people can read in the evening and s women are safer going to the toilets at night. They round up massive quantities of medical supplies and equipment. They founded and run a refugee women's clinic and a center for children iin Amman, Jordan. They organize visits from medical professionals to people with no other options for health care. Rita Zawaideh. the founder of SCM, deservedly won Seattle's Humanitarian of the Year award a few years back.
An incredible organization that has done so much to help refugee and displaced families. I helped out before with delivering donated supplies from SCM to a resettled Syrian family in eastern Washington. I’ve seen firsthand the amazing impact they’ve had.
SCM is a beautiful non profit!!! They try to help and support as many people as they can!! They try to connect people together!! They organize great events to support people in need emotionally, financially, medically!! They orgnize holidays parties for new refugees so they don’t feel alone !! Rita has the sweetest heart ❤️
SCM is there when people need them. The director is tireless in her work to help refugees. I enjoy working with SCM and volunteer and donate as much as I can. I know that everything goes to helping the refugees and all labor is donated.
SCM has clearly been an instrumental part of the non profit world. I've worked with them several times for container loading as well as joint events with other orgs. They are organized and truly help the most vulnerable locally and abroad.
I am very grateful for the work SCM team is doing locally in seattle and internationally ! SCM is the leading non profit organization in Washington that refugees turns out to get them settle in . They are here not only to support them with finance , finding a home and getting access to essential needs . But also they are here to build cultural bridges between refugees and the local community . When COVID started SCM started delivering food to homeless and people in need who lost their jobs . They are always ready to help . Finally , With the exceptional leadership of its founder Rita Zawaideh, SCM was able to expand the influence of the North West values to support people in need in the Middle East ( Syria , Jordan , Lebanon , Afghanistan etc ) . SCM is a force of good in this world !
I have worked with Rita from SCM for over a decade. The work they do is absolutely amazing. Helping needy people all over the world is a huge task, yet they do it every year over and over again with grace and no complaint. I absolutely admire the people and the organization. I recommend it to every one who wants to help humanity in a little or big way, this is how you do it.
I have followed this organization from it's very beginning and it never ceases to provide me with a sense of awe. From delivering clothes and medical supplies to Syria, helping immigrants settle in the US with housing, clothing and food, sponsoring and promoting the skills of immigrants as well as helping promote their businesses when they decide to open their own business. The endless amount of energy that Rita gives to all her endeavors is truly amazing.
Tom Odell
SCM does so much for those in need. Whether it is feeding refugees in Jordan, getting medications to people in Lebanon, helping LGBTQ refugees get to safety, or helping the refugees resettled in western Washington, SCM is doing whatever they can to provide for people who need their assistance. The amount of aid Rita Zawaideh organizes and gets to the right people is amazing!
I have volunteered with SCM in various capacities for several years. Sometimes I collect donations from neighbors that I then take to the SCM office. Other times I’ve helped sort donations or fundraise. I love supporting SCM because I know that every dollar raised and hour given is going to support those most in need. Unlike so many organizations, SCM does not pay ridiculous salaries to its leadership nor operate with significant overhead costs. The founder of SCM has a heart of gold and the energy of a million people. I’ve learned so much from my work with this organization and am grateful for all the efforts made to help those locally and abroad.
Salaam Cultural Museum does terrific work. I have personally visited their operation in Jordan and was involved with delivering humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees. They have deep knowledge of the situations and the peoples' needs in the countries they serve, providing appropriate and cost-effective aid.
This nonprofit Organization was started by a relative of a friend of mine when the Syrian crisis started. They are an amazing group of hard working people who’s focus is 100% on their mission. I can tell you they do not have a CEO who is making millions, it all goes to help refugees. I highly recommend this organization and I give to them whenever I can.
Several years ago via an international quilt donation group, I discovered the Salaam Cultural Museum and their amazing refugee assistance programs. The employees behind the scenes at SCM are immensely caring, coordinated, efficient, and focused on giving a safe, new life to refugees from Syria and other countries.
SCM is trustworthy and immensely hard-working on behalf of refugees struggling to make their new lives in new countries.
Everything they get they give it ALL to the people that NEED it. No fees for themselves. Awesome love and giving has been demonstrated by owner and volunteers
What Rita Zawaideh puts her hand to, she does with panache - and a big heart. One cannot imagine the scope of this project - to get needed medical & educational supplies, household items, baby clothes, adult clothes. bedding, cosmetics, etc, etc, etc, - and then to sort, package, label, count, box, crate, deliver, and then distribute these items to those who need them the most - the refugees in Syria, in Greece, in Jordan and other places. It is S-O-M-E enterprise - all done by volunteers, including Rita herself. The hours I've seen her spend on the phone and at the computer reaching out to people all over this country for donations, contacts, where to find stuff, etc, are mind-boggling Do you know that there is a group that has been knitting baby clothes, making bibs, socks, jackets, caps, blankets, etc, just for babies? Who would think of babies, when we think of "refugees"! Also the toys, books, art supplies, games, pencils and pens, etc, for young children to enjoy - and alleviate their miserable experience as refugees. And then making sure our clothing stores know whom to contact at the end of each season for their donations ( they, in turn, get a tax break!!)
It is a STUNNING effort - all stimulated by Rita Zawaideh, with the help of her many volunteers, and donors ( who contribute their time, energy and resources to a valiant effort, by one woman with heart and courage). BRAVO, Rita! Our hats off to you and to your volunteers for caring so much about the less fortunate.
With deep admiration for you, and all those dedicated volunteers and donors, who help make this happen, Sincerely, Huda Giddens
This organization is amazing! They really focus on what people need and doing work where nobody else is.
A truly powerful organization and your donations and time will be well spent!
I am a retired pediatrician. I went on a one-week medical mission to Jordan in 2014. The multi-disciplinary team visited a different site each day and made a significant impact. The SCM staff was dedicated and passionate, but also made those long days fun despite the seriousness of the work.
I will never forget the experience.
I have seen some of the leaders of this organization in direct work with helping refugees. I have donated both material things, furniture and money and will continue to do so. The founder, Rita Zawaideh, runs the organization with as little administrative costs as possible, making one know that your donation is going into the hands of the refugees. She and the volunteers work tirelessly to aid refugees who have travelled in boats for safety, relocated to countries overseas and who have relocated to cities in the USA. The organization then helps the refugees acclimate to their new surroundings and help them maneuver through all the things they need to know and do to become part of their new country. SCM also helps the new host country learn more about the settled refugees through education, mutual get-togethers and festivities where both cultures are shared together through learning about the cultures, the language and even through sharing each other’s food. SCM is one of the few organizations that I have total belief and trust in.
I believe that SCM has a simple, direct and effective way to help
refugees in a variety of situations. They are centered on the refugee
and not on featuring their organization. I have found being a volunteer
offers me an immediate and straight forward manner to contribute.
This small charity is doing incredible work helping Syrians displaced during the 7 years of civil war. It has made sure that the refugees stuck in the burning desert of Jordan can sustain a decent stand of living for the last many years. One of it's most important roles is bringing medical volunteers from the US to the refugees.
Strong mission to help the refugee population here who have relocated as well as those currently struck by adversity in the Middle East. A huge impact made by a small group. Community outreach is another strength of SCM, such as organizing 5K run, donation drop off dates, volunteer dates to load trucks that go overseas. Their message has spread across the US and world, where donations such as knitted items, are regularly sent to SCM. Volunteering for them brings much satisfaction!
This is a fabulous group of volunteers, who hand-carry much-needed items to refugees in camps in Europe and the Middle East. The volunteers are very dedicated and organized. If you donate an item, it gets to the refugees. There are many ways to help SCM - donate your time, make needed items, buy needed items, etc... I have found SCM to have high standards while still making a big difference.
Had the opportunity to volunteer with SCM in Lesbos and have been in touch with this group for many months now.
They have a great group of people with big hearts and am glad to know them.
Keep up the good work!
I have been volunteering for SCM for several years now and cannot think of a better use of my time. They are such a small in numbers organization, but no bigger hearts anywhere. Every cent goes to the refugees--no overhead-- and all volunteer. I love that they respond quickly to immediate needs with volunteers always on the ground working with the refugees and have people both in Greece and Jordan all the time. Rita Zawediah is a real life Wonder Woman who is very adept at changing as the situation on the ground changes and in meeting every essential need she can. They organize medical teams, get nee3ded medications, have opened a school for the children, have two childrens' trauma centers to deal with the psychological damage of the war, get s much basic food and water and warm clothing and blankets as they can, always respecting the cultural needs of the people in need. I think she should get the Nobel Peace Prize, to be honest.
This is my go-to charity of choice as I am very confident that my donations will be received as quickly as humanly possible. I'm set up on the monthly food donation campaign and have never had any problems whatsoever from set-up to getting feedback. I've received personal notes of appreciation and see on the facebook page distribution of donations routinely. A great group of people and I support the quality of work they do to provide aid where it is most needed in a timely manner.
Salaam Cultural Museum (SCM) is small organization that accomplishes big things. They are able to react quickly to changing circumstances with the refugees. Also, they are able to get donated items to the refugees in a most expeditious way. The quilts and hand-knit items that I donate to SCM are frequently hand-carried in luggage and delivered to where they are needed most within a month or two. This speed of delivery far exceeds other organizations I have supported in the past that may take several years to get the needed items to their final destinations.
SCM is a small scale group that has tremendous impact because of the personal connections established in the areas served. Many donations are transported and delivered by humanitarian volunteers; cargo containers are sent several times a year and distributed locally. Every effort is made to target donations of clothing and essential goods to the actual need. SCM volunteers, both medical and humanitarian, work with local populations and provide support to many local programs. And every penny collected goes directly to relief efforts. This group is amazing!
No admin fees. None! Everything goes to those in serious need. They are dedicated to helping and will find ways to help those in serious need. She gets help to people as quickly as humanly possible with no wasted time or money. I have never been disappointed by SCM, only inspired and glad that I am able to help Rita help the refugees. This organization is the cream of the crop.
I am proud to be part of the best group of volunteers that dedicated their time and energy to help the needy and the refugees
Growing up in Seattle, I've had the privilege of volunteering with SCM while they loaded containers, provided emergency aid, and made a difference in not only the refugees lives they seek to better- but our community as well. I was honored to be involved in missions in Jordan, where I finally witnessed firsthand the amazing work they accomplished overseas and realized how big of an impact their projects had on the lives of those less fortunate. Additionally, Rita Zawaideh (founder and executive director) has a heart of gold. I've yet to meet someone in an NGO who is as ambitious and kind hearted as she is. The world would be a better place if we were all more like her. Luckily, she gets more things done than I ever could in a single lifetime. We're blessed to have her and SCM in this world.
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SCM is an amazing organization that I'm fortunate enough to have volunteered with. I first heard of SCM when I was a child in this community, and was able to see the amazing all-encompassing work that they do firsthand over the years. From filling containers, collecting donations, and distributing them individually in Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon. The board members lead with passion and big hearts- and it reveals itself in the work that they do!