About us

About us

About us

Community Empowerment Advocates

Welcome to the Kainat Unity Project, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting immigrant families, women in crisis, and underserved communities. We provide hands-on support with public benefit applications, connect individuals to vital legal and social services, and host civic workshops that build knowledge and confidence.

Our mission is simple: to empower people with dignity, trust, and resources so they can advocate for themselves and thrive. We are building toward a long-term vision of becoming a community anchor — a safe, accessible hub where families can find legal aid, counseling, and organizing opportunities.

Together, we are not just offering help — we are creating pathways to resilience and lasting change.

0+

0+

Years of Impact

Supporting immigrant families, women, and underserved communities with dignity and trust.

0+

0+

Years of Impact

Supporting immigrant families, women, and underserved communities with dignity and trust.

0+

0+

Years of Impact

Supporting immigrant families, women, and underserved communities with dignity and trust.

0+

0+

Individuals Reached Annually

Through civic education workshops and community programs with partners like Malikah and the Muslim Community Network.

0+

0+

Individuals Reached Annually

Through civic education workshops and community programs with partners like Malikah and the Muslim Community Network.

0+

0+

Individuals Reached Annually

Through civic education workshops and community programs with partners like Malikah and the Muslim Community Network.

$0+

$0+

Legal Support Secured

Funding raised to cover legal fees for individuals in high-risk legal situations.

$0+

$0+

Legal Support Secured

Funding raised to cover legal fees for individuals in high-risk legal situations.

$0+

$0+

Legal Support Secured

Funding raised to cover legal fees for individuals in high-risk legal situations.

0+

0+

Families Assisted with Benefits

Hands-on SNAP/EBT and Medicaid applications completed through workshops and one-on-one support.

0+

0+

Families Assisted with Benefits

Hands-on SNAP/EBT and Medicaid applications completed through workshops and one-on-one support.

0+

0+

Families Assisted with Benefits

Hands-on SNAP/EBT and Medicaid applications completed through workshops and one-on-one support.

Anaya Qayyum — Founder

Anaya Qayyum is a student at Barnard College of Columbia University, studying Anthropology & Human Rights on a pre-law track. She combines her love of learning with a passion for uplifting others, and is especially interested in building inclusive spaces that celebrate identity, belonging, and community care. Her work with the Kainat Unity Project is deeply personal, inspired by her roots and a commitment to ensuring that marginalized voices are heard and supported.

Muhammad Qayyum — Founder

Muhammad Qayyum is a student at NYU’s Stern School of Business, studying Finance as a Berkley Scholar. He brings his passion for business and financial literacy to the Kainat Unity Project, where he has led workshops on navigating benefits and building economic confidence in underserved communities. With a strong interest in finance, investments, and entrepreneurship, Muhammad is committed to making financial knowledge more accessible while creating opportunities for others to grow and thrive.

Join our journey.

Get in touch to collaborate or learn more about our team culture.

Contact Us

Join our journey.

Get in touch to collaborate or learn more about our team culture.

Contact Us

Join our journey.

Get in touch to collaborate or learn more about our team culture.

Contact Us

Services

Services

Services

What we do

Find out more about the services and programs we provide to empower our community.

Civic Workshops

We host bi-monthly civic education workshops with partners like Malikah, the Office of the Community Liaison, and the Muslim Community Network. These sessions equip families and youth with knowledge of their rights, public systems, and local government — impacting 500+ people annually.

Legal Support Referrals

We assist individuals in high-risk legal situations by coordinating attorney referrals and securing funding for legal fees (over $6,000 to date). Our goal is to ensure that no one faces systemic challenges without guidance and support.

Public Benefits Assistance

Through one-on-one support and group workshops, we help families navigate SNAP/EBT, Medicaid, and other benefit applications. To date, we’ve assisted 120+ individuals in accessing essential resources.

Resource Navigation

We connect individuals to shelters, food programs, language services, and child welfare support. Our referral system is grounded in dignity and trust, ensuring families feel supported, not stigmatized.

Youth Leadership & Engagement

We are building a youth-led network for civic engagement and organizing. By empowering young leaders with the skills to advocate for themselves and their communities, we are investing in the next generation of changemakers.

Our Goals

We aim to grow into a full community anchor hub with in-house legal, counseling, and casework support. Long-term, we envision a physical space where workshops, crisis support, and youth-led civic engagement come together under one roof.

Civic Workshops

We host bi-monthly civic education workshops with partners like Malikah, the Office of the Community Liaison, and the Muslim Community Network. These sessions equip families and youth with knowledge of their rights, public systems, and local government — impacting 500+ people annually.

Legal Support Referrals

We assist individuals in high-risk legal situations by coordinating attorney referrals and securing funding for legal fees (over $6,000 to date). Our goal is to ensure that no one faces systemic challenges without guidance and support.

Public Benefits Assistance

Through one-on-one support and group workshops, we help families navigate SNAP/EBT, Medicaid, and other benefit applications. To date, we’ve assisted 120+ individuals in accessing essential resources.

Resource Navigation

We connect individuals to shelters, food programs, language services, and child welfare support. Our referral system is grounded in dignity and trust, ensuring families feel supported, not stigmatized.

Youth Leadership & Engagement

We are building a youth-led network for civic engagement and organizing. By empowering young leaders with the skills to advocate for themselves and their communities, we are investing in the next generation of changemakers.

Our Goals

We aim to grow into a full community anchor hub with in-house legal, counseling, and casework support. Long-term, we envision a physical space where workshops, crisis support, and youth-led civic engagement come together under one roof.

Civic Workshops

We host bi-monthly civic education workshops with partners like Malikah, the Office of the Community Liaison, and the Muslim Community Network. These sessions equip families and youth with knowledge of their rights, public systems, and local government — impacting 500+ people annually.

Legal Support Referrals

We assist individuals in high-risk legal situations by coordinating attorney referrals and securing funding for legal fees (over $6,000 to date). Our goal is to ensure that no one faces systemic challenges without guidance and support.

Public Benefits Assistance

Through one-on-one support and group workshops, we help families navigate SNAP/EBT, Medicaid, and other benefit applications. To date, we’ve assisted 120+ individuals in accessing essential resources.

Resource Navigation

We connect individuals to shelters, food programs, language services, and child welfare support. Our referral system is grounded in dignity and trust, ensuring families feel supported, not stigmatized.

Youth Leadership & Engagement

We are building a youth-led network for civic engagement and organizing. By empowering young leaders with the skills to advocate for themselves and their communities, we are investing in the next generation of changemakers.

Our Goals

We aim to grow into a full community anchor hub with in-house legal, counseling, and casework support. Long-term, we envision a physical space where workshops, crisis support, and youth-led civic engagement come together under one roof.

Our Partners

We are proud to work alongside organizations that share our vision of dignity, safety, and empowerment for all communities.

Malikah

The Self-Defense Organization of Our Time Malikah is an anti-violence training and mutual aid base-building organization that builds power and safety for communities through self-defense, financial literacy, organizing, and healing programs. What started as a grassroots effort has grown into an international force, training women across the world to fight back against gender-based and hate-driven violence.

Self-Defense

Financial Literacy

Organizing

Healing

Malikah

The Self-Defense Organization of Our Time Malikah is an anti-violence training and mutual aid base-building organization that builds power and safety for communities through self-defense, financial literacy, organizing, and healing programs. What started as a grassroots effort has grown into an international force, training women across the world to fight back against gender-based and hate-driven violence.

Self-Defense

Financial Literacy

Organizing

Healing

Malikah

The Self-Defense Organization of Our Time Malikah is an anti-violence training and mutual aid base-building organization that builds power and safety for communities through self-defense, financial literacy, organizing, and healing programs. What started as a grassroots effort has grown into an international force, training women across the world to fight back against gender-based and hate-driven violence.

Self-Defense

Financial Literacy

Organizing

Healing

Office of the Community Liaison

Office of the Community Liaison

OCL is an independent NYC-based office established to listen to communities most impacted by stop-and-frisk and communicate concerns to the Federal Monitor and Court. The office does not investigate misconduct but ensures community voices are included in the remedial process to reform unconstitutional policing practices.

OCL is an independent NYC-based office established to listen to communities most impacted by stop-and-frisk and communicate concerns to the Federal Monitor and Court. The office does not investigate misconduct but ensures community voices are included in the remedial process to reform unconstitutional policing practices.

Stop-and-Frisk Reform

Community Engagement

Policy Feedback

Office of the Community Liaison

OCL is an independent NYC-based office established to listen to communities most impacted by stop-and-frisk and communicate concerns to the Federal Monitor and Court. The office does not investigate misconduct but ensures community voices are included in the remedial process to reform unconstitutional policing practices.

Stop-and-Frisk Reform

Community Engagement

Policy Feedback

Muslim Community Network

MCN is dedicated to redefining and shaping the Muslim experience in the U.S. through education, advocacy, interfaith partnerships, and youth leadership. Their work empowers Muslim voices while promoting civic education, inclusive communities, and social justice.

Education & Advocacy

Interfaith Partnerships

Youth Leadership

Community Service

HEART to Grow

HEART promotes sexual health, uproots gendered violence, and advances reproductive justice for Muslims most impacted by stigma and inequity. Through their initiative RAHIM (Reproductive Agency Honoring Impacted Muslims), they are fighting for a world where every Muslim can exercise autonomy and control over their reproductive lives without shame.

Sexual Health

Reproductive Justice

Ending Gendered Violence

Contact

Contact

Contact

Get in touch

For any inquiries or to explore your vision further, we invite you to contact our professional team using the details provided below.

Email

anaya@universalbk.org

Follow us