Prothom Alo Foundation
(Summary of some works Done in past 2 years )
December 27,2019
Alo hosted a program in Bangladesh Plaza , Jackson heights. Discussion meeting
with Bangladeshi American youth. Hosted and supported by Dr Rajub Boumic and others .
Journalist Mahbubu Rahman Wrote : “ I came to America three decades ago and stumbled.
Culture, society, economic stumbling! The thing that was most painful for me as a first
generation immigrant; The realization of falling from the roots. The painful feeling of being
isolated from the culture in which I grew up. The children will grow up here; They will grow up
with a completely different culture from us. The 'bridge' is very important!
Thirty years of exile life did not become like that even by running in various organizations ....”
Attendance |
Fund Collection |
Expenditure |
Subject |
Comment |
56 |
600 |
700 |
Barrister Shumon/ Dr |
Encouraging |
January 30,2020
Bangladesh Plaza , Prothom Alo arranged a Book launching program. It is part of the culture
and heritage preservation initiative. Bangladeshi writers living in America were invited .
They
discussed the importance of maintaining one's own cultural heritage to grow in a diverse society.
They discussed Bangladeshi American Poet Faruque Faisol’s Book “ KALER OMROTO
Attendance |
Fund Collection |
Expenditure |
Subject |
Comment |
68 |
550 |
600 |
Writers and
Journalists |
Great event
|
February 14,2020
Community discussion meeting.
Occasion: Valentine's day. Love over hate. / Mostly women participants .
Attendance |
Fund Collection |
Expenditure |
Subject |
Comment |
90 |
700 |
730 |
Working
women, Girls
, activists ,
writers and
Journalists
|
|
February 19,2020
: Community discussion meeting on International Mother Language Day
Every two weeks a language disappears taking with it an entire cultural and intellectual heritage.
At least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered.
Only a few
hundred languages have genuinely been given a place in education systems and the public
domain, and less than a hundred are used in the digital world.
International Mother Language Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance
inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind.
Attendance |
Fund Collection |
Expenditure |
Subject |
Comment |
|
120 |
1500
Ad collected
for special
Publication |
1400 |
Writers and
Journalists ,
community
people
|
Very
successful
event
|
Special
publication by
Faruque
Foysol
|
March 05,2020
: Observed International Women's Day
Etsy place , Jackson Heights
Group discussion on women rights , domestic violation, empowerment and other issues.
Among others elected officials and community personalities were there. Nargis Ahmed ,
Assembly candidate Marry Jobaida and others .
Attendance |
Fund Collection |
Expenditure |
Subject |
Comment |
73 |
900
Ad and
sponsored |
700 |
Women, Girls
, community
activists
|
Very
successful
event
|
March 12,2020
Covid-19 preparation
Special Meeting with volunteers , reporters , front line workers about our preparation.
Physician Dr. Ferdous Khandakar was invited to give a briefing on the vairus .
35 volunteers called relatives and friends to alert them with advice to follow news
closely.
Attendance |
Fund Collection |
Expenditure |
Subject |
Comment |
28 |
0 |
0 |
Volunteers
|
|
March 17,2020
1. Prothom Alo Made a video and published from our web and youtube channel
about covid-19.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02lJ6o_ZN1M)
Thousands of viewers watched the video and got very initial information about the
pandemic situation in New York . Prothom Alo volunteers distributed this digital content
to the community.
Attendance |
Fund Collection |
Expenditure |
Subject |
Comment |
N/A |
0 |
0 |
Volunteers
|
First video
content for
Bangladeshi
people
|
2/ Well known Bangladeshi American writer Mainus Sultan lives In Georgia.
He volunteered overseas during the time of previous pandemic and other
humanitarian crisis. He has vast influences on Bangla readers.
Mainus Sultan gave 9 points of preparedness advice. Among them Hand
Wash , Social Distancing , how to deal with if any family members are
affected , importance of Family and community counseling etc.
We distributed that information. Our writers,reporters, and volunteers
communicated those to the community. Besides our weekly printed
publication and everyday online update digital social platform played a
great role and we all used them.
3/ Prothom Alo volunteers worked for census 2020. Organised discussion
meetings , distributed printed materials and called family and community
people to enroll . Reporter Monisha Datta led that initiative teamed up with
others.
4.
Prothom Alo volunteers participated in a food distribution program in
Hillside Ave , Jamaica , NY along with a student Jakia Soya . Our senior
reporter Zahida alom led the event. Along with others she collected food,
masks and sanitation liquids.
Attendance |
Fund
Collection
|
Expenditure |
Subject |
Comment |
|
25 |
250 volunteer
donation |
250 |
Volunteers |
|
Very initial
stage of
Pandemic in
NY city |
March 20,2020
New York went into a complete lockdown due to the pandemic.Office
closed. We quickly decided to remain active. Other Bangladeshi
newspapers declared to suspend their printing publication.
Because our team work and strategy was set , we continued to publish and
for regular updates and communication. Prothom Alo used social media
platforms to reach volunteers , writers , reporters and community people.
We organized discussion meetings , supported worried people, provided
information where the community could get immediate help. Was in
constant communication with the labour organization CWA 1182 , where we
found Traffic agents from NYPD were a big support. As well members from
Bangladeshi American Police Association rendered their support to team
up with Prothom Alo for supporting the community
April 29,2020
Pandemic situation became worse in New York . We lost family members
,including one of our volunteer Photographers .
Prothom Alo volunteers reached out first responder from the Bangladeshi
community. Reached out Nurses , Police ,Traffic agents and encouraged
them for their service in this crucial time.
Prothom Alo was in the saide a cab driver family. Father died , leaving his
Harvard going son and other child. Prothom Alo volunteered and stood
beside the family and helped with fundraising.
Prothom Alo continued to publish their print edition. All other Bangladeshi
community newspapers suspended their publication. Bangla speaking
people were collecting Prothom Alo for getting various information.
Prothom Alo reached women and elderly with information they needed in
the time of pandemic.
May 2020
3rd - Joined discussion meeting with volunteers . NPD captain
Karam Chowdhury among them to discuss how to help people in danger
due to the pandemic.
May 15th’2020 Prothom Alo volunteers reached out to the community
people with the printed Newspaper and were getting information about
their condition . 12 Volunteers joined in the various area of NY
Prothom Alo volunteers started to get trained as a Contact tracer John
Hopkins was offering this free of cost course( $50.00) for time being. 30
Volunteers from Prothom Alo took the course and helped the community.
We were encouraged to get certified for Contact Tracing and 11 people got a tracer job later on.
May 24, 2020 Prothom ALo arranged a virtual meeting with 50 writers
and journalists for capacity building. Among them, 30 volunteers form
New York . It was a motivational meeting . Famous editor Matiur Rahman
and writer Anisul Haque were present .
May 26th , Prothom Alo arranged first outdoor cultural programme at
Astoria park ,Hoping pandemic is going away.
June 23 ‘2020 (Primary election engagement initiative)
Prothom Alo volunteered and worked for NYC primary. Encouraged
community people to go to vote. In office we opened a hotline to answer
any question regarding polling. Mahbub Rahman , Shah Ahmed among
others joined the program from the Jackson Heights office.
Supported by Prothom ALo 2 candidates participated in NY Democratic
primary. This was part of the civic engagement initiative.
June 12 , 2020
Prothom Alo organised a virtual discussion program on
Quarantine practice . Pandemic era international volunteer Moinus
Sultan and others joined in the program.
June 6th Prothom Alo
Participated and partnered a food distribution
program with other volunteer organizations in Jackson Heights. 20
Volunteers attended this day long volunteer work.
Food distribution program
Aug 2020
Orientation Training for Peer Mentoring Program (Career Counseling, Resume Clinics,
Professional Workshops, 8-weeks Bootcamps) on Monday, August 10, 2020 at 10 AM via
GO-TO-Meeting
FREE & OPEN to ALL including High School & College Students, Alumni, Aspiring
Community members who are hungry for Knowledge.
Was conducted with a partnership with a Non Profit Organization
BSA
Prothom Alo arranged an art exhibition. Bangladeshi community
artists spent their time during the pandemic . It was a reflection of
their emotions . 11 Artists attended with their arts. Community
gathered and supported the event.
Attendance |
Fund
Collection
|
Expenditure |
Subject |
Comment |
|
350 |
1800 |
1500 |
Supporting
Art and
culture |
Very
successful
program
|
Donation
from Prothom
ALo family
members |
September 2020
On 5th september, 2020 Prothom ALo hosted “Meet with Shubro Deb” .
Writers and journalists were invited to attend. Our art and cultural initiative
was broadcasted live and thousands of people watched and interacted
with the legendary Bangla artist Shuvro Deb .
Attendance |
Fund
Collection
|
Expenditure |
Subject |
Comment |
|
40 |
150 |
150 |
Supporting
Art and
culture |
Very
successful
program
|
Donation |
Last week of September Prothom Alo initiated a photo exhibition with
Photographer Anirban Khandoker. Anirban is the single Bangladeshi
photographer who was in Manhattan , NY during the time of lockdown.
He took photographs and Prothom Alo published them.
In September, the National election. Prothom Alo writers and journalists
supported local broadcasts to educate Bangladeshi people in the USA
about the election.
It was a part of our civic initiatives.
Oct 2021
29th October Prothom Alo delegates meet with Congressman AOC at
Jackson Heights. She was distributing food to the constituents. We
exchanged views and informed her about our community work.
Later on Prothom ALo Delegation Met with LOCAL CWA union leaders.
Mr. Ricky Morrison , Syed Utba and other members were present.
We shared our work experiences during the pandemic .
On october 17th 2020 Prothom ALo volunteers participated in a campaign
for a missing person from the Bangladeshi community. Distributed flyers
and campaigned via social media .
During October 2020
Prothom ALo volunteers made every effort to reach out to community
people to educate them about Postal Vote and encouraged them to vote
by mail during the time of Pandemic.
December 2020
Prohom Alo arranged smany discussion sessions on how to answer
political questions to the Bangladeshi community. Informed them about
where they can get help for any social and financial need.
January 2021
01/14/2021 - Partnering with Time TV Prothom Alo hosted a discussion
meeting on recovery issues from Pandemic.
Among writers and journalists some volunteered for counseling in the
community .
Porthom Alo Hosted another Art exhibition . Community people spent
their time , expressed their emotion during the time of pandemic .
Prothom Alo stood beside the grieving family Of Jewel Chowdhury. His
only son Zimmam Chowdhury died. 6 young people died recently in the
Bangladeshi community.
Community was trying to find the reason. Prothom Alo writers and
volunteers stood by them with mental support .
February 2021
After a long lockdown , New York was trying to come back. Prothom Alo
arranged a community discussion programme about finding problems .
Discussion was held on Women and children issues . Home schooling
and Mental support issues were discussed by our community experts.
February 18,2021:
February 14,2021:
Prothom Alo organized a discussion and cultural events on Valentine day .
Bangladeshi poets, artists and activists joined the event .
February 10,2021:
Prothom Alo joined in a discussion meeting on politics. Discussion was
held for the community to educate the political system of America .
March 2021
On march 19th Prothom Alo hosted a meeting to congratulate NYPD
Sergeant Rajub Bawmik . It is a part of our community outreach program ,
to encourage them to get involved in the main society and contribute .
Rajub already set an example and by encouraging and celebrating his
success we wanted to send a message to the community and it would
give a positive message to our young people.
On march 26th, 2021 Prothom Alo celebrated Independence day of
Bangladesh. It was a joint program with the Bangladeshi American Police
association. Captain Karam Chowdhury along with his NYPD officers and
writers , journalists and community people joined in the event.
March 31.2021
Interfaith Religious organization Mohammodi Center awarded Prothom
Alo for the community work done during the time of Pandemic.
April 2021
Book Distribution :
“Mohamari Corona: Dateline New York” by Ibrahim Chowdhury . It is a compiled book on
penadamic. The first 3 months of New York. From March 2020 how pandemic started in
New York and how the community handled it. Day by day development stories were written
in the book. Tremendous work of a group of Bengali writers and journalists stated in the
book . People took this book as a part of their History.
Prothom Alo organized 5 separate community meetings starting from the Bronx , Queens
and Brooklyn. More than 350 community organizers , writers and journalists joined in those
events.
June 2021
Prothom Alo arranged a tour of Bengali Writers and journalists . Visited Washington DC to
gather civic and political knowledge , where they participated in a non violent anti war
demonstration in front of White House.
Prothom Alo Hosted Bengali writer and journalists had a meeting with the Bangladeshi
community living in the DC area. Share their problems and connected themself .
Prothom Alo hosted a cross community meeting in Jamaica , queens. Discussed about post
covid recovery and helping each other.
Book MOHAMARI KORONA was presented to the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. The book
explained the work done by the Bengali writer and journalist during the time of penadamic .
July 2021
Prothom Alo participated in an outing programm with the community and writers and
journalists in a park. Post Covid recovery was turning back to normalcy was the main focus
of that program. About 350 community people participated .
Prothom Alo arranged an open enrollment campaign for the community. Medical insurance
workers , medicaid assistance and other information was provided to the community.
Medical assistance workshop for the community organized at Bronx. Community
workers and volunteers participated.
July 25th 2021
Home gardening discussion and demonstration , New Jersey
August 26 2021
Discussion on Child abuse , awarness and education. International worker Farin
Doula was among other participants and she distributed books on Child abuse (
Sexual abuse) . Books were distributed to the community .
Aug 7 2021
Prothom Alo hosted a meeting at Hamtramck , Michigan. City meyor and other
elected officials were present . It was a community engagement initiative
Prothom Alo writer hosted a poetry discussion program at Astoria Park , NY
Visiting poet Tushar Gayen among others among the participants. ( 08/14/2021)
Sept 2021
Prothom Alo writers , contributors and volunteers had a meeting with
Bangali cultural organization BAFA. Bronx Based cultural organization
BAFA is dedicated to work inside the community . Prothom Alo
discussed about the partnership work and set some goals for coming
days.
Prothom Alo writers and volunteers participated in an international conference in
Dubai . Shared the experience and about people living outside their country.
Bangladeshi people from all over the world participated in that convention .
Oct 2021
Prothom Alo activists , writers and volunteers protested against attack on minorities
Prothom Alo Hosted a meeting with writer Asif Antraj Robi from Washington DC .
Community workers and writers , journalists from NY participated and shared their
experiences and discussed their challenges.
Prothom Alo writers and volunteers participated in the Book Fair organized by
Muktodhara. It was a meeting place for all Bengali writers . Prothom Alo writers and
journalists shared their experiences and challenges they are facing.
November 2021
Prothom Alo participated in various HINDU PUJA Places. Encourage religious
freedom and communal harmony.
The Prothom Alo delegation visited Washington DC . Had a meeting with ex
ambassador Dan Mojina and participated in a community meeting. Bangladeshi
people living in North eastern estates were the participants. We shared our
experiences and discussed the challenges we are facing.
December 2021
Prothom Alo arranged a program with Bengali song writers living in New York.
Community leaders, writers , journalists participated and discussed how to live in a
multicultural society and maintain our own cultural activities.
December 26 and 27 Prothom Alo co-sponsored a community gathering.
At the time of rising Omicron Prothom Alo volunteers discussed how to protect the
community and shared informations.