Humanitarian Day: Where Kindness Meets Action
“Humanitarian Day is a rare, rare opportunity that not many people get to have,” says Talha Rafique, founder of Trojan Street Aid (TSA).
On Sunday, March 16, we had the privilege of joining the Intellect Love Mercy (ILM) Foundation at Gladys Park in Skid Row for their 25th anniversary hosting Humanitarian Day. This annual event unites organizations and volunteers in their mission to serve and support the unhoused community in Los Angeles.
“For individuals experiencing homelessness, basic screenings are often the only form of healthcare they’ll receive for months and sometimes years,” says Mahnoor Haq, the Keck Medical Liaison of TSA. As a year one medical student, Haq was on the ground alongside her peers and experienced physicians to offer free blood glucose and blood pressure screenings to community members.
“These screenings do more than give numbers; they spark conversations,” says Haq. “The goal is to plant a seed that informs our patients: You matter.”
In addition to medical screenings, we focused on preventative care by distributing essential health care supplies. Volunteers handed out 150 comprehensive medical aid kits - equipped with gloves, masks, gauze pads, menstrual products, alcohol wipes, and pain relievers - as well as 200 dental hygiene kits containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss.
We also distributed 700 pre-packaged meals, each thoughtfully prepared with six servings of rice and vegetables. These meals came to life during an inspiring joint effort with Islamic Relief USA, USC, and UCLA, where dozens of volunteers worked together to assemble an incredible 20,000 packaged meals. Thanks to this abundance of meals, we were able to extend their impact by sharing boxes with other organizations to distribute throughout the community.
This day of service blossomed into something far more meaningful than just meeting immediate needs. It showcased how small acts of kindness can create lasting change. “We are truly blessed to be in this position where we can actively serve the community here,” says Omer Merchant, current President of TSA. “Moving forward, I am eager to use our resources and connections at USC to serve surrounding communities by not only providing essential items, but also services that help individuals improve their lives.”