Team

Sahyda joined Turning Point for Women and Families as a Domestic Violence Counselor in October 2023. She earned a B.A in Social Work from York College and an MSW from New York University. Sahyda has over two years’ experience in advocacy and counseling which includes working with adolescents and young adults and seniors diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Sahyda is currently working to earn her MSW license to further aid Muslim women and help bring about systemic changes in policies and legislation that lead to equitable opportunities for marginalized communities. Sahyda was born and raised in New York and speaks Bangla,

Amina joined Turning Point for Women and Families as a Domestic Violence Counselor in October 2023. She is a first-generation college student and graduated from Stony Brook University with a B.A in Psychology and Minor in Health, Medicine and Society. Amina plans to pursue her master’s degree in Social Work and Applied Psychology, and earn a JD in the future to further advocate for systemic changes to support survivors and combat domestic violence. As alumni of South Asian Youth Action (SAYA!), Amina was inspired to join Turning Point to help raise awareness about mental health, advocate for equity amongst marginalized Muslim groups in New York City, and empower survivors of domestic violence. Amina is an active member of her community in Queens and is a second-generation Bangladeshi-American, born and raised in New York City, and speaks Bangla.

Maria joined Turning Point for Women and Families as the Outreach Coordinator in February 2024. Born and raised in the vibrant tapestry of New York City, Maria’s passion for public service is deeply intertwined with her identity as the daughter of immigrants in the Pakistani Muslim diaspora. Growing up in a marginalized community in America, Maria has found strength and solace in her cultural identity. Her passion for fostering unity and understanding within communities has driven her to become a vocal advocate for the underprivileged. Maria’s dedication to community building and social change is complemented by her academic pursuits. She is currently studying Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, with a long-term goal of delving into international law. Fluent in Urdu and Punjabi, Maria effectively bridges cultural gaps and ensures that the voices of the marginalized are heard. Beyond her professional and academic endeavors, Maria has a love for anthropology and art, further enriching her holistic approach to community engagement and social change.

Menal joined Turning Point for Women and Families as a Seniors Advocate in November 2023. She hopes to one day bridge the divide between the Western and Arab worlds, creating dialogue, breaking stereotypes, and preventing the spread of misinformation. As someone who comes from an immigrant background, she is passionate about creating an open space that reflects the richness in diversity of the students and their cultural differences. Her past experiences of teaching immigrants and refugees have taught her what strength and resilience means. She is a second-generation American, originally from Yemen, and speaks fluent Arabic.

Sarah joined Turning Point for Women & Families as a Youth Leader in September 2024. Before starting, she was a member of our Youth Group for 4 years and one of our outreach interns. Throughout her time, she learned leadership and advocacy skills that she now applies as a Youth Leader of the program that started it all for her. She helps youth embrace their full potential through her role.

Sarah is a space nerd at Lehigh University, pursuing a BS and BA in Astrophysics and Astronomy, respectively. Combining her passion with her long-term goal of helping people in all ways possible, Sarah plans to pursue a master’s in social work, with a specialization in psychology and healthcare. She is a counselor for the Crisis Text Line and a social work intern at the Asiyah Women’s Center.

Sarah is a first-generation student faithful to her Punjabi heritage. With Jhelumi and Lahori roots, she is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu & Hindi. Outside of her academic endeavors, she plays badminton, writes poetry, and loves sightseeing. Overall, Sarah knows the struggle of feeling alone and at fault and hopes to help people feel heard.