Kayali says she feels it is her mission to carry the voice of Muslim and Arab Americans nationally. 

“We have to talk about our issues in the arena of health and human services to our legislators and to our representatives in order to strengthen our community in the United States,” she said.

ACCESS conducted needs assessment met with 250 families to create a needs assessment to develop additional services.

Through her work, she has found that the Muslim and Arab communities are very isolated and need to work with other communities.

“If you hear about new funding for the community, you should attend public meetings and network with others and learn how to benefit your community,” she says.

Kayali certainly has. She recently stepped down from a prestigious position on the board of the Community Action Partnership of Orange County to apply for a grant for her community.

Kayali attributes her success to Allah. 

“This is all by the mercy and grace of Allah, I was merely the messenger,” she said.

When no one believed in her, Kayali says she prayed to Allah. “‘Allah, please, help me in this endeavor,’ I said. God chose me, not anyone else, and there is no way I will le thim down. He gave me this responsibility.”

The annual gala will be 6 p.m. January 30 at the Anaheim Hilton, 777 Convention Way in Anaheim. 

For more information, call (714) 917-0440 or visit www.accesscal.org.