Local nonprofit using talents of the community to help curb teen violence

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — It’s part of an effort to try and make central Ohio safer. A local organization opened a thrift store in Hilliard to sell handmade items, and proceeds go back into the community.

MY Project USA figured out a way to bring money into parts of the central Ohio community, in a way that is not bound by the limitations of a grant.

By opening, Global Gifts and Thrift, a thrift store, products on the shelves will in turn help underserved communities.

“This is a place where we are hoping to uplift entire refugee and immigrant community as well as being able to address gun violence and gang violence,” MY Project USA founder, Zerqa Abid told ABC 6.

Abid says, to continue her efforts working to keep the West Side community safe, from gun violence, specifically teens, she had to get creative in finding ways to financially support it.

Enough that keeps them away from gangsters, or drug dealers who give them cash, like $300 to bring one box from one location to another. I deal with this situation every day,”

The thrift store on Cemetery Road in Hilliard had its grand opening Friday.

So how does this work? Well, Abid says the idea is that immigrant and refugee families can go in and sell their items, helping financially support themselves.

A portion of that money supports the store and its effort in fighting teen violence on the city’s West Side.

“We are working with a community that is 200% below the poverty line,” Abid said.

Abid says some programs have shown success, and those are the ones that need to be kept available, including giving families access to food.

Abid says grant money helps a lot, but it can only go so far.

"Right now, one of our programs is mainly funded by a major grant from United Way of Central Ohio and some other grants," Abid said. "But those grants do not cover food for example, we don't have a grant to cover our soccer program and the soccer program is the one that has curbed the pipeline to gangs in that West and South neighborhood."

Sami Omerzai, the development director for the nonprofit will be working in the thrift store. He says it’s more than handing someone a plate of food. It’s creating relationships and trust.

“This is our main job, to collect people and talk with them. To collect parents and talk with them and connect them to resources,” Omerzai said.

Although the store just opened, the group is onto another project.

For about two years, the group has been trying to figure out ways to open an indoor recreation center. They think with this new store, they’ll eventually be able to do it.

Abid says any donations are welcome. Or, you can head on over to the website to check out other ways to help.