“Rising Beyond The Ceiling (RBTC) is a global initiative to shine a spotlight on achievements and contributions of Muslim women of India, both in the country and in countries around the world. The vision of RBTC is 3 Cs- Celebrating Achievements, Changing Stereotypes and Creating Leadership Opportunities.

The United States RBTC 100 Global Inspirations List seeks to spotlight Muslim women from India who have made their mark in different professions in the USA. The 100 stories capture the resilience, challenges and their immigrant experience in building a career in a new environment and country. “

“The Town Lake YMCA transformed into an arts & crafts bazaar Saturday morning to highlight handmade goods made by refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan that have settled in Austin.

The YMCA partnered with Global Impact Initiative (GII) to host the Refugee Holiday Arts & Crafts Bazaar, where various handmade goods made by the refugees were showcased.

The Global Impact Initiative is a non-profit organization that helps those in at-risk communities by helping them find education, mentoring, and job skills training."

“On Saturday morning, the TownLake YMCA turned their lobby into an international bazaar.

‘The Y has a long history of supporting refugee and immigrant communities both in America and worldwide,’ said Sean Doles of Greater Austin YMCA. ‘And so, we want to create welcoming spaces where we can bring people of diverse backgrounds together and, you know, embrace our newest neighbors.’ Vendors of all ages were able to show off their crafts, including jewelry, baked goods and art.

And all the proceeds went directly to them."

“Happy Thursday, everyone! The TownLake YMCA and a local non-profit are hosting an international bazaar this Saturday. Read more here by Daniel Gravois: https://www.kxan.com/news/townlake-ymca-local-non-profit-to-host-international-bazaar-saturday/ “

“The TownLake YMCA will transform into an international bazaar on Saturday, December 30, from 9am to 1pm as the Y partners with Global Impact Initiative (GII) to host a Refugee Holiday Arts and Crafts Bazaar. The TownLake YMCA is located at 1100 W. Cesar Chavez near Lamar Blvd.

The free community event features the work of refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan who have recently settled in Austin. The artisans will be showcasing hand-made goods including jewelry, handbags, dresses, leather goods, candles, decorative cushions, paintings, and fresh-baked pastries and treats. One hundred percent of proceeds go directly to the vendors.”

“For the better part of her decades-long career, Anjum Malik has worked to build an unwavering commitment to positive change on a global scale. Always Envisioning a better world, Malik is a driving force behind transformative initiatives that leave an indelible mark on societies around the world. As a dedicated leader and Executive Director of Global Impact Initiative (Gii), Malik has collaborated with global leaders to serve underprivileged communities with a focus on sustainability, equality, and innovation.”

“Anjum Malik is a long-time Austin, Texas, resident and a tireless advocate for improving access to education for all especially vulnerable and at-risk communities. Having immigrated to the United States from India in the 1970s, Anjum remains connected to the global community through her work, the focus of which currently is supporting refugees and immigrants build a new life in the US. Anjum has founded and leads a nonprofit organization – Global Impact Initiative and an NGO, the Alhambra-US Chamber. In addition, along with her husband, she co-founded the HOFT Institute, a multi dimensional corporation serving the international education community in Austin and beyond.”

“On Sunday, hundreds of refugees living in Austin showed up to a local mosque looking for resources and job opportunities.

Several non profits partnered to host the hiring fair at the North Austin Muslim Community Center.

The organizations that set this up include The TENT Partnership, Combined Arms, and Global Impact Initiative.

30 different employers from a variety of industries filled the community center.”

“Global Impact Initiative (GII) and TENT Partnership collaborated to host the Refugee Hiring and Community Resource Fair in Austin on Sunday.

The purpose of the event was to serve as a platform for providing valuable opportunities and support for refugees and newcomers in the Austin community.

Refugees from Africa, Afghanistan and Ukraine were all invited to the event as they traveled to the Austin Metro area to escape the violence and unrest that they were experiencing in their areas.”

“Education means the world to Anjum Malik. As an accomplished entrepreneur, consultant, mentor, and proud Austinite, Malik has positively impacted countless lives through the power of education.

‘Everything I do in my life is centered around education,’ she said. ‘I believe that education can provide a pathway to a better life. So many doors have opened up for me, my husband and my children through education. I passionately believe in the life-changing transformative power that education brings to individuals, families and communities.’

Malik built an expansive network of global contacts that she leverages on behalf of her clients. Her diverse expertise includes international education, strategic management, mentorship, program development, and consulting in the U.S. and internationally.”

“After 45 years, Refugee Services of Texas is closing its doors. This leaves many refugees in the dark as they try to navigate life in the U.S.

Nasir Shah Zahid, Mohammad Rasool Farhat, and Ghulam Ali Nasrat were interpreters for the U.S. military. They all came to the U.S. after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan…

…Volunteer groups like Global Impact Initiative, which is an education organization, say they've been taking on somewhat of a case management role.

‘Now we're just getting inundated with an influx of refugees that just don't know what's going on because the organization that they have been working with is no longer there,’ Shawn Smith, VP of Operations at Global Impact Initiative, said."

“A nonprofit that works with refugees gave them something that many of us take for granted. Global Impact Initiative gave out 80 laptops to help refugees adjust to life in the U.S.

‘Computers are no longer a luxury. They're a necessity,’ Anjum Malik, executive director of Global Impact Initiative said. ‘[Refugees] can learn English, or men to find jobs, for the women to learn English and for children to get tutored.’”

“Ramin Mohmand came to Austin from Afghanistan nearly six years ago. He said he was happy to end up in Central Texas but assimilating into his new home came with some challenges.

‘There are difficulties when you come [for the] first time from a different country as a refugee,’ Mohmand said. ‘You don’t have bank history, you don’t have a work history, you don’t have a housing record.’

‘It’s very hard to find housing, it’s really hard to find a job on your own because you don’t know how this job application will work,’ he said. ‘It’s very difficult.’

“It was all smiles and laughs on Sunday at Global Impact Initiative’s holiday party. But many of the families in attendance were carrying the weight of past - and current - challenges. There isn’t even an adjective to describe it when you have left everything you own, everything you know, your whole family behind, and you’ve come here, and you’re still grieving for what you’ve left behind,’ said Anjum Malik, founder and executive director of GII.”

“With two new MetroRapid lines scheduled to begin service toward the end of 2023 as a part of Project Connect, Cap Metro needs to bring on board more drivers and mechanics. To that end, the transit authority announced a partnership in October with the Austin-based organization Global Impact Initiative (Gii) to provide training opportunities for the city's refugee population.”

“On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, Marjana sat on a black leather couch in a North Austin apartment filled with Afghan women making tea and preparing snacks for their weekly get-together…Marjana said the gathering is one of the few places she feels at home and most comfortable.”

Meet leadership of Global Impact Initiative and HOFT Institute, along with several Afghan refugees. Learn more about how these organizations are essential resources to help refugees transition to and thrive in their new home.

“CapMetro and Gii, a non-profit organization that supports refugees and underserved communities, hope the agreement will fill jobs in central Texas, but support those looking for an opportunity to grow their career.”

“Due to the Taliban taking over, there are now many Afghan refugees living right here in Central Texas, and it hasn’t been easy for them. That’s why Global Impact Initiative and Combined Arms came together to give laptops to 40 Afghan refugee families. This is the fourth laptop giveaway they have hosted.”

“It’s been nearly a year since the Afghanistan pullout and almost six months since Russia began its attacks on Ukraine. Since then, Refugee Services of Texas has helped resettle more than 1,000 Afghan and Ukrainian refugees in Austin, and one local nonprofit is looking to address both refugee employment needs and the national truck drivers shortage through a new commercial driver’s license (CDL) program.”