Improving Community: Ali Ayoub

Ali Ayoub

Vital stats:

Ali Ayoub, 17, graduates this June from Fordson High School and expects to pursue a career in medicine, starting at Wayne State University. The Dearborn youth already completed over 500 hours of volunteering at Oakwood Hospital and conducted fundraisers for victims of Hurricane Katrina and recipients of aid from the World Medical Relief in Detroit. He is a research intern at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan with a yen to help the world.

Background:

In fifth grade Ayoub decided he would become a volunteer while watching the fine work of older students who came to assist his teacher. He became vice president of the Fordson KEY Club, joined a group of Oakwood hospital volunteers and earned its Gold Presidential Service Award this year for his work in guest services and the emergency room. "I've seen people being admitted into the ER while they are ill and walk out feeling better than ever. If I could have just a little part in achieving that goal I will be a better person in the end."

Personal:

Thriving on five hours of sleep a night, Ayoub loves dining out with his fellow study group members at Tim Horton. Friends want him to turn up his i-pod for a sampling of French, new age, soft rock, techno and hip hop so they can dance in the parking lot. In quiet hours he reads the latest Harry Potter and other fantasy novels. Since he arrived at the United Way he found it a complete shock that many children don't have clean clothes nor sufficient food to eat.

"More than once I've taken off my sweater and given it to a homeless person who stands outside in winter, shivering in a T-shirt. It isn't pity, just a hand. Through my boss I have learned where the issues lie, and what I can do as a citizen to improve it," he said.

Volunteer history:

Ayoub began working as a research assistant intern for the resource investment and community partnership at the United Way in July 2006. He compiles lists of issues around literacy, education and economic status of metro Detroiters and conducts data entry for his boss, Kurt Metzger. "Working at United Way I have discovered that Detroit was once booming city, thriving on many economic and social activities that can be re-established through a little help from its citizens and future leaders."

On the United Way:

"I have always known that United Way existed from the commercials with "that guy" [former United Way campaign chair Dieter Zetsche] who said "Keep the flame. . .alive." I am part of a new revolution in changing the way the community in which I live functions. Because of this organization, I have decided that I must stay in the community in order to make it thrive once again."
 
Mentors:

"My mother is the biggest and most important person in my life. She is by far the strongest person that I have ever known. Although she is not active in civic affairs she is very productive and outstandingly involved in our education (my three siblings and I.) She is our support system in anything that we want to pursue.

United Way connects individuals and groups with meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the region. Through Volunteer Solutions, United Way's online matching tool, you can find an opportunity that interests you and is close to home. Get started by clicking here.

Dial 2-1-1 to be connected to more than 7,000 health and human services in southeast Michigan. Whether you need assistance or want to lend a hand, 2-1-1 is there for you. To learn more, or submit a request online, click here.

Photos:

Ali Ayoub