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.