About Us
Discover our Vision and Mission
The purpose of the RC is to provide programs focused on youth from low-income families. We provide a wide range of programs, services, and resources along three interconnected domains (health, education, and youth development) designed to bridge the opportunity gap and empower participants to achieve their highest potential.
Our Vision
Transforming lives by closing the opportunity gap and bring about a world where all children thrive and their communities flourish.
Our Mission
To partner with underserved communities that are socially and economically marginalized and provide youth-focused holistic programs that promote health & wellness, advance educational excellence and cultivate the arts.
“Seek the wisdom that will untie your knot. Seek the path that demands your whole being.”
We take our name from the great Muslim poet and scholar Jalal al-Din Rumi (known as Rumi) who wrote volumes about how the Islamic principles of love and gratitude are the animating forces uniting all of humanity. His words inspire us every day to pursue our mission and work to realize the better world we envision.
Our Story
As healthcare professionals, educators and youth mentors, we have all witnessed young people in classrooms struggling with basic reading, writing and math, falling behind even before the race for college or good jobs begins. We know that children from low-income families have a higher risk of mental health issues, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. We know that these issues derive from their poor diet, their low level of activity, and their high levels of stress. We have witnessed how they struggle to navigate the education and healthcare systems, but we also see their potential, their hopes, their intelligence, and resilience in the face of these challenges.
We have tried to connect these children and their families with resources but realized that the assistance was fragmented and difficult to access. We feared that these young people were certain to fall through the cracks and that the cycle of poverty and the opportunity gap would repeat itself. We knew we had to do something in solidarity with these youth and their families…but what?
After much discussion, we decided to do more than just offer ad hoc help. We needed to institutionalize our efforts into a holistic approach. In December 2015, we formed The Rumi Center (RC), a not-for-profit community organization based in Arizona. We subsequently obtained an IRS tax exempt 501(c) (3) status. The purpose of the RC is to provide programs focused on elementary school through high school age children from low income families. We provide a wide range of programs, services and resources along three interconnected tracts (health, education, and art/creative expression) designed to bridge the opportunity gap and empower participants to achieve their highest potential.
Why Our Work Matters
- AZ ranked 45th in the nation in education, 32 in children’s health and 39 in overall child well-being
- 31% of Arizona children (age 10-17) were overweight or obese.
- Over 17% of AZ children live below the poverty threshold.
- 69% of 4th graders in AZ are not proficient readers and 76% are not proficient in math.
- 23% of high school students are not graduating on time.
Meet Our Board
We’re a dynamic group of individuals who are passionate about what we do and dedicated to delivering the best results for our community.
Muna Ali
President & Co-funder
Muna holds a PhD in sociocultural anthropology. Her research and writing focus on youth, identity, belonging, culture, health, and religion. She also holds a doctorate in physical therapy and has special interest in the social determinants of health. She works in the rehabilitation department of an outpatient clinic in Scottsdale. Muna is passionate about community organizing and education, youth mentoring, and interfaith collaboration. She is a cofounder of multiple community organizations including the Rumi Center. She enjoys reading, writing, home improvement projects, and great conversations.
Selen Courtenty
Vice President
Selen is a first generation Turkish American. She has her bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and a Masters in Business Administration. Selen graduated from Physical Therapy school at University of Southern California in 2013 and moved to Phoenix to be with her family. She started her career at Spooner Physical Therapy and quickly transitioned to Mayo Clinic in 2014, where she still works today, as Manager of the Inpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation practice. Outside of her work life, Selen enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and enjoys hobbies like yoga, baking, and living a holistic lifestyle.
Lubayna Fawcett
Treasure & Co-founder
Lubayna holds a PhD in global health, a master’s degree in education, and bachelor's degree in physical therapy. Though she retired after working for 30 years as physical therapist in different settings, she continues to serve as a rehabilitation consultant, researcher, and mentor both locally and in Africa. Lubayna has special interest in health equity, palliative rehabilitation, and women’s health. When she is not volunteering, she travels around the world, and enjoys reading, writings, photographing and painting.
Sumayah Wehelie
Secretary
Sumayah joined the Rumi Center board in 2023. She is very passionate about children’s education and literacy. Sumayah was raised in the Phoenix metro area and attended a mix of local public and charter schools as a child. She then went on to attend and graduate from Arizona State with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. While at ASU, she was a member of their Honors College. For her end of term honors thesis, she wrote a detailed report about the potential issues associated with the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies in the healthcare sector. Since then, Sumayah has been working as a supply chain analyst for a semiconductor company. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at a local Valley hospice.
Malcolm Idlebird
Community Engagement
Malcolm joined the Rumi Center board in 2023. He is a native of Phoenix and has a passion for technology, business, and community engagement. Malcolm has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Arizona State University. He has worked in the IT industry for over 10 years and is currently apart of a development team with BlueCross BlueSheild. In his free time, he enjoys building things, hiking, and spending time with his family.
Cynthia (Nafisa) Maher
Education Program Director & Co-founder
Cynthia (Nafisa) Maher is a recently retired teacher from the Phoenix Union High School District. She has an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and a BA in Political Science, both from the University of Arizona. In her thirty-year teaching career, Ms. Maher has taught student groups through the Minority Student Office at UofA, Adult Ed classes through Pima County, ESL at the Center for English as a Second Language at UofA, ESL at the American Cultural Center in Alexandria and The American University in Cairo, both in Egypt. Back in the U.S. she taught graduate students how to teach American undergraduates in the Teaching Assistants course through ASU. And after homeschooling her own children for 10 years, taught 18 years in the Phoenix Union High School District first as an ESL teacher and then as the Instructional Leader of the ESL program at Alhambra High School. Most recently she taught Social Studies in Evening Opportunity School at the Academies at South Mountain. Ms. Maher achieved National Board Certification in 2013.
Synee Murchinson
Social Media Manager
Sydnee Murchinson was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Social Justice from Utah Tech University, formerly known as Dixie State University. Passionate about advocacy and social work, Sydnee worked as a Child Safety Specialist at the Department of Child Safety for two years, where she focused on ensuring children’s safety and helping families reunite and thrive. Currently, she works at the Department of Economic Security as a Support Coordinator in the Division of Developmental Disabilities, ensuring children with developmental needs receive the necessary services they need to thrive. In addition to her career, she hold a leadership role in the Melanated Muslim Sisters of the Valley (MMSOV) organization, where she focuses on building community and fostering connections among African American and African Muslim women. Sydnee is also pursuing a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a goal of becoming a therapist to help individuals heal from trauma and reach their full potential.