BAFA’s Commitment to Giving Back:
Driving Positive Change Through Cultural Arts and Community Support

  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, BAFA transformed its space into a packaging and distribution site for food and essentials, providing consistent tangible support to the community for several years.

  • BAFA collaborates with several organizations, including a group called Bucket List, to help facilitate clothing, blankets, and food distributions for those in need in the winter.

  • A snapshot of a line building around the block during a food and essentials distribution event.

  • A flyer from a BAFA X Arab-American Family Support Center collaboration during the pandemic.

  • AAFSC and BAFA team members prepping resource stations outside of the BAFA Bronx location.

  • BAFA partnered with Bronx Mutual Aid to provide fresh produce to community members in need. A system was created to have volunteers deliver food directly to the homes of the elderly and disabled.

  • Essentials ready for distribution during the pandemic.

  • BAFA teaming up with Mission Helping Hands to bring fresh produce to Bronx community members in need

  • Freshly bagged fruits, collected by BAFA in large quantities from the Rap4Bronx warehouse on Turnbull Ave, ready for distribution during the pandemic.

  • During the pandemic, BAFA provided linguistic support to help community members access vital resources, including government assistance programs, medical care, housing support, financial assistance, legal assistance for undocumented individuals, and other essential services.

Why is Supporting the Community a Vital Part of Our Mission?

At BAFA, we understand that the majority of our participants come from the communities we serve, particularly those in low-income neighborhoods like the Bronx (Parkchester) and Jamaica, Queens. Many of these individuals are immigrants who face the challenges of limited financial resources and access to essential services. We are deeply committed to helping them build prosperous lives and engage in activities that promote a fulfilling, active lifestyle.

We firmly believe in advocating for our community members to live beyond being mere laborers in the city's economy. Instead, we encourage them to thrive—physically, mentally, and emotionally—by offering programs that foster growth and well-being.

Sadly, access to resources like gyms and community centers is scarce in these neighborhoods, and this lack of opportunities for physical activity often leads to negative health outcomes. By providing such spaces and resources, BAFA is ensuring that community members can take part in activities that will help them lead healthier, more balanced lives, free from the limitations of sedentary lifestyles.

Our focus is not only on the immediate benefits of physical activity but also on the long-term impact it has on both mental and physical health. By supporting individuals' basic needs and creating opportunities for sustained well-being, we are helping to pave the way for a healthier, more prosperous future for our community.