About Us
Our Mission
We’re on a mission to answer the call of our faith in caring for orphans by improving the lives of all Muslim foster children. We do this by supporting the foster families who care for them, through community education, support networks, and advocacy.
Our Story
Imagine a child being removed from his/her home because of neglect, abuse, war, or another tragedy just to be placed with a family that does not share their faith, culture, or language.
Unfortunately, that is the reality for many Muslim children that through no fault of their own, enter a foster care system that is unfamiliar with their faith, and have very few licensed Muslim foster homes to go to. This concern was what drew together mothers Ranya Shbeib and Sameena Zahoor, the founders of Muslim Foster Care Association.
Ranya and Sameena soon realized that there needed to be an easier way for Muslim foster families to connect with one another for advice and support. They also recognized that there were many Muslim foster children being placed in homes of other faiths, because of the lack of licensed Muslim foster families available.
Although there were many Muslim social service organizations in Michigan providing great services to our communities, none focused on foster care.
Starting from providing networking and support to Muslim foster families, to being a valued partner and resource for all the major placement agencies in Michigan, there has been no looking back for the MFCA.
Since then, we have dynamically expanded our services and our outreach across Michigan, created programs to serve Muslim foster children and those who care for them, and helped hundreds of Muslim children in the foster care system feel supported and cared for.
Our Impact
At the Muslim Foster Care Association, we strive to enable Muslim children in the foster care system to thrive, flourish and be their best as human beings, Muslims, and contributing members of society. Every year we serve over 200 Muslim children in the foster care system throughout Michigan and with the help of our generous donors, raise thousands of dollars to fund our programs. Our goal is to create innovative solutions to the challenges faced by Muslim youth in various stages of their transition.
Stories of Impact
Here are some of our stories that will tell you how tirelessly our board and staff work to be responsive to the needs of our foster children and create a lasting difference in their lives.
Supporting Unaccompanied Afghan Refugee Minors from Afghanistan
More than 1500 unaccompanied children from Afghanistan arrived in the US in August and September 2021, with about 400 arriving in Michigan and placed in a residential facility. Muslim Foster Care Association was one of the first nonprofits to step up to support these...
Providing Halal meat for Muslim foster children in Grand Rapids
Our Halal Meat program started as a result of our ongoing connection with foster families caring for Muslim youth. We are always trying to find solutions to various challenges families face in their efforts to provide loving homes to Muslim youth. Many Muslim youth...
Meet the Staff
Shereen Abunada
Director of Operations
Shereen Abunada serves as Director of Operations at the Muslim Foster Care Association. In her role at MFCA, she works with the team to oversee the day to day operations, help to educate prospective foster parents on the licensing process, and manage various projects to assist foster youth and support foster families. She holds an honors degree in Communications and Public relations.
Rishtya Kakar
URM Program Coordinator
Rishtya Kakar manages the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors program at the MFCA. In this role she designs and implements educational workshops for foster families and agency staff to address challenges and help navigate the nuances of fostering Muslim-identifying youth. She also leads cultural programs for Muslim foster youth directly to help support them throughout their journey in adjusting to life in a new home and country. Rishtya holds a PhD in Health Promotion and Behavior and has authored a number of research papers on pedagogy, health promotion, and family health.
Maliha Raza Khan
Development Coordinator
Maliha Raza Khan serves as the West Michigan Liaison and Development Coordinator at MFCA. She implements various recruitment programs to increase the number of Muslim foster families, provides networking, support and ongoing consultation and education for staff and families of Muslim foster youth, and manages the Mentorship program at MFCA. She holds a Masters degree in Applied Clinical Psychology and has extensive experience in nonprofit management and Organization Development which she brings to her role.
Mona Musaid
Domestic Foster Care Program Coordinator
Mona Musaid joined MFCA as the Domestic Foster Care Program Coordinator. Although Mona comes to us from the corporate world, she has personal experience navigating the foster care system. Mona has been a long time advocate of foster care and is dedicated and determined to ensure that Muslim children in foster care receive the services they need and that their foster families receive the support they need. Her lifetime goal is to revive the beautiful sunnah (prophetic tradition) of kafala (foster care).
Meet the Board
Dr Sameena Zahoor
Dr. Sameena Zahoor and her husband with 3 boys of their own, have been licensed foster parents since 2012. They have fostered several Muslim foster youth over the years, ranging in the ages of 1 to 15 years old. They currently provide respite care for Muslim foster families, in addition to being actively involved in their local Masjid. Dr. Zahoor has been involved in multiple health educational initiatives in her community and served on her MCWS community’s Covid Task Force during the pandemic. She continues to practice as a Family Physician, in addition regularly volunteering at a local free medical clinic for adults who are uninsured. Dr. Zahoor co-founded the Muslim Foster Care Association with Ranya Shbeib in 2016, and remains an active Board member, CFO and spokesperson in the organization.
Ranya Shbeib
Ranya Shbeib is a licensed foster parent, loving mom to 3 children of her own, and the co-founder of Muslim Foster Care Association along with Sameena Zahoor. Over the years she and her family have welcomed several foster children into their caring home – both domestic and refugee. Ranya has a background in education and has worked as a teacher, principal, and school board member. She has spoken at many community events and is a devoted voice for Muslim foster youth at various levels in the foster care system. Ranya holds a Masters degree in Public Health in Community and Family Health Education.
Gina Shkoukani
Gina Shkoukani serves on the board of the Muslim Foster Care Association advising the organization on various legal issues.Gina is an estate planning attorney at Neal, Geber & Eisenberg LLP in Chicago, Illinois. Gina grew up in Southeast Michigan. She received her Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. In addition to her involvement with the Muslim Foster Care Association, Gina also serves on the Young Professional Board of the Gateway Foundation and advises various non-profit organizations.
Media Features
West Michigan Agency in "dire need" of foster parents for Afghan kids
Muslims in Foster Care Need Exposure
Muslim kids lost in Michigan foster care system for lack of Muslim homes
Volunteers deliver gifts so 'no kid is without an Eid'
Bethany Christian Services in need of foster families for Afghan children
Whitmer Announces Members of First-Ever Michigan Parents' Council
Contact Us
Do you have questions or want to join the cause?
MFCA wants to hear from you!
Telephone: 248-242-7244
Email: mfca@muslimfostercare.org
Address: PO Box 7836, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Tax ID: EIN# 81-3658772