ZAM’s Hope is the vision and creation of Zehra Quadri, a single mother who discovered first-hand the lack of services available to immigrant women in Chicago, especially on the north side. As she worked through the cultural stigma of divorce and struggled to make ends meet for herself and her two daughters, she also began planning how she would help others who were experiencing similar problems. At first, Zehra began offering emergency services from her home, using her own resources and supported by local donors.
In August of 2000, ZAM’s Hope was incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 not for profit. Since then, ZAM’s Hope has expanded to serve men, women, and children from 7 different ethnic backgrounds. Eighty percent of immigrant individuals who receive services are Indian, Pakistani, Mexican, Nepalese, Former Yugoslavian, Somalian and Afghani families. Most reside in the neighborhoods of West Rogers Park and West Ridge. Participants come to ZAM’s Hope with numerous problems. Among the most common are poverty, domestic violence, homelessness, stress created by two competing cultures and their expectations, unemployment, difficulty negotiating mainstream systems, and immigration issues.
ZAM’s Hope offers culturally appropriate services and is managed by a president, executive director, and board of directors. The number of individuals seeking help from ZAM’s Hope continues to grow at a rapid pace. Issues of confidentiality and trust are critical to ZAM’s Hope participants; they are unlikely to seek out mainstream services because of language barriers and fear of discrimination.
 Ms. Zehra Quadri, Founder & President |
“To Laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics, and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.” |
On August 17, 2000 ZAM’s Hope Community Resource Center was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois as a non-profit organization.
First and foremost I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all those supporting us in providing various services to the community. As most of you know ZAM’s Hope was organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes in hopes of providing resources to a multicultural community focusing on the working class members experiencing dire social and economic hardships.
Since its inception in 2000, ZAM’s Hope has been working to educate, empower, and improve the lives of the people it serves. Today’s economic realities are increasingly challenging for immigrants and working-class families, who often live under harsh and demoralizing circumstances.
ZAM’s Hope is organized to give hope and restore the self worth of those who not only wish to improve their lot but are also willing to take an active role in their own lives in improving their situation. ZAM’s Hope believes that in order to restore this self-worth, it is important for these individuals to become economically independent. To aid in that goal, ZAM’s Hope assists people through job training programs promoted by local businesses, after school and day care programs that allow parents to work, financial and food assistance, ESL and Citizenship classes, and other programs. Ultimately, we hope to aid people in aspects of their lives that will encourage stability and success.
None of this would be possible without the energetic support of our supporters. As ZAM’s Hope finds a foothold in this community and continues to aid the people who need its services most, we look forward to sharing the successes and joys our work will bring to the community.
Zehra Quadri
Founder & President, ZAM's Hope
- Zehra Quadri, President/CEO
- Michele Edwards, Secretary
- Shaheen Ameer, Treasurer
- Sardar Khanam, Director
- Shanaz Patel, Director
- Rana Afzal, Director
- Fatima Quadri, Director
Advisory Board (alphabetical order)
- Aisha Aslam
- Javed Aslam
- Nazli Hussain
- Dr.Khalil Memon
- Iftekhar Shareef
