Muslim American Society-Social Services Foundation is a non-profit that aims to aid families at large and the Muslim community in particular with their social services needs.
Our Mission
Our Vision
The Muslim American Society-Social Services Foundation strives to be at the forefront of the community’s social services needs and to support the community in attaining the overall well-being of individuals and families.
Meet Our Team
Gulshan Yusufzai
Executive Director
Gulshan’s experience as a refugee from Afghanistan and multicultural exposure was brought about by living in three different countries during her early years. Her early childhood was interrupted by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and subsequent displacement of her family as refugees to Pakistan. She came to the United States as a nine-year-old and stayed in New York for a brief period before settling in Sacramento, California. She finished her high school in Sacramento before going to the University of California, Davis to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government.
Masehullah Stanikzai
Lead Peer Counselor
Masehullah joined MAS-SSF on December 2018. He is originally from Afghanistan and has lived in the United States for the last three years. He finished his high school as a refugee in Peshawar Pakistan, where he was able to get his English language diploma in 2000. In 2003 he was able to enter the computer science department of Kabul University through exclamatory exam. He could not complete his bachelors due to family problems and started working with a non-profit organization as a volunteer supporting the Afghan women to build their skills.
Shaista Najmi Jaffri
Lead Peer Counselor
Shaista Najmi Jaffri joined MAS-SSF on January 2019. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Karachi University. She has served as a peer counselor for MAS-SSF since 2007 and is a member of the MAS-SSF Evaluation Committee. She was a CMMC (California MHSA Multicultural Coalition) Emerging Leader and led a mental health awareness project for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). She has previously worked in education and has previously volunteered with Friendly Visitors and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate).
Leena Gela Man
Lead Peer Counselor
Leena Gela Man joined MAS-SSF on January 2019. She is ethically and originally from Afghanistan. She has a bachelor’s degree as a chemical engineer. She has taught as a professor at the Kabul Polytechnic University.
Laila Barakat
Outreach & Resource Coordinator
Laila graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Public Relations. She is a passionate health and wellness educator with a love of writing, poetry, and the great outdoors. A sampling of her many interests include hiking with her family, learning about nutrition and mind-body medicine, and personal development. She serves MAS-SSF as an Outreach & Resource Coordinator and is also a certified Peer Counselor. She resides in Elk Grove with her family, 3 cats, and is on a mission to destigmatize mental health in all communities.
Our Board
Tamer Ahmed
President
Nassiba Cherif, MFT
Vice President
Maha Ead
Secretary
Anjum Keval
Treasurer
Durriya Syed
Member at Large
Laurel Benhamida, Ph.D.
Member at Large
