Dear DREAM Supporter, as salamu alaykum.
My name is Dawud Clark and three months ago I left my job because of DREAM. I wanted to tell you why.
You see, when I got introduced to DREAM in 2019, I was living in a hotel, riding my bike back and forth to the Muslim Center masjid. I had a job, thank God, but not having a stable, long-term place to call home was a huge struggle.
Well, DREAM gave me that home. They invited me to be the first resident at Project Homecoming, our transitional home for formerly incarcerated men. Then, earlier this year, Brother Mark reached out and asked if I would become the House Manager. It was a part-time position and I knew it’d be the perfect way to help brothers who were in the same position as I had been in. Shortly after that, I was able to join the Facilities team at the Muslim Center too! I’m there every single day, and it’s a serious blessing.
So you see, I left my job because, thanks to DREAM and this community we’re building together, I’m getting to do everything I ever asked when Allah gave me another chance.
That’s why I hope you’ll support us to DREAM BIGGER with a donation to our campaign today.
The support that you and others have provided so far has ben critical in helping our first residents get back on their feet after long-term incarceration. A lot of times, brothers end up in places that are highly transitory, loose environments, full of drugs and alcohol. It’s the exact opposite of what’s good for them. At Project Homecoming, we put brothers in a stable environment with loving rules, supportive programs, real community, and nothing in the refrigerator that’s not halal!
These days, I’m in touch with 30 or so brothers inside the Michigan Department of Corrections to spread the word about our house and to work with brothers as they approach parole. When we reached out to our first 10 people to explain what our program offered, every last brother said, “alhamdulillah, this is what we need. How can we help?” And then they started making connections.
I’m excited for this year. We get to start with our study circles again. We have several residents in the pipeline. We’re planning new job training. I hope we have a lot more to share with you in the coming months.
Dawud Clark
House Manager
Project Homecoming
