Club Member Recognized for Community Service
 

Hajira with her community members at the Riverton Boys and Girls Club

Hajira Osman, a Club member and junior at Deering High School received an award earlier this month from 20 below 20, a collaborative project between the Portland Press Herald and Mainetoday.com to recognize 20 outstanding Maine teens in the fields of visual arts, performing arts, technology, community service, civic involvement, and other areas where young people excel.  
 

Originally from Somalia, Hajira and her family moved to the United States when she was seven years old.  Now at age 16, Hajira is an active Club member and part-time staffer at the Riverton Park Extension.  Hajira is committed to community service projects that promote diversity, tolerance and understanding.   One project she is involved in is the Youth Advisory Board of People’s Regional Opportunity Program (PROP).  As a member of a youth leadership team, Hajira assisted PROP in creating a formal Peer Leader program at Portland’s four public housing neighborhoods, including Riverton Park.
 

Hajira plays another important role in her community through her dedication to the Islamic faith and heritage.  She encourages the younger children to preserve their culture by learning the Arabic language and to adhere to their religious beliefs.  She also works to encourage understanding and tolerance of her culture among her teen peers by modeling healthy life choices.
 

The Club staff, board, volunteers and members are very proud of Hajira’s achievements and the receipt of this award. Congratulations, Hajira!
 

Note:  For a full article and information on the 20 Below 20 project,
please visit www.20below.mainetoday.com.