Founded in 2014, We Rise Above the Streets Recovery Outreach Inc. began as a result of the experiences of our founder, Al-Amin Muhammad. For ten years, he was homeless on the streets of Atlanta, Georgia. Having grown up in the south side of Chicago in a Haitian Catholic family, he experienced many life-threatening situations. By the time he turned 15, he found himself lured into gang life, participating in violence, and using drugs. He was subsequently shot in a drive-by shooting when he was 25 years old, barely escaping death from his injuries. He also served time for his criminal behavior, which is where his life changed. In 2008, a fellow inmate asked him what kind of legacy he was leaving behind for his two daughters. 

This question prompted him to do some soul searching, which included turning to Islam, graduating from college, and becoming an addiction counselor. After establishing the organization in Syracuse, he has been surrounded by hundreds of volunteers who help him to provide more than 10,000 sack lunches to homeless and food-insecure individuals and households over the last seven years. The organization has also helped more than 20,000 people receive not only a meal, but clothing, shoes, and hygiene products weekly. 

Our community outreach cookouts include a Thanksgiving dinner where we help bring awareness to homelessness. Partnerships with various organizations and schools in the Syracuse area have helped the organization spread the message of compassion and encouragement to everyone encountered. Mentorship programs with at-risk youth in the city’s most challenging schools have helped some youth to turn their lives around and become inspired to serve the community.

Al-Amin’s ability to invoke action has drawn the attention of CBS This Morning News where he was interviewed on March, 2023. Jay-Z Rock Nation also recognized his efforts during black history month. Syracuse University has awarded him with the 2021 Exemplary Leadership during COVID-19 Award. The mayor of Syracuse honored him by giving him his own holiday on March 19th called Al-Amin Muhammad Day. The American Red Cross awarded him the Real Hero Award in 2020, and Delta Sigma Theya Sorority gave him the Marjorie Dowdell Fortitutde Award in 2021. TLC The Leadership Classroom awarded him with Exemplary Leadership during COVID-19 in 2021. He is also an active member of the Onandaga County/Syracuse Human Rights Commission Board, the CNY Regional Healthare Equity Task Force, and the author of the book, “ My Purpose of Life.” An active community activist and advocate, he works in partnership with numerous school districts in Onodaga County and Central New York in order to have a bigger impact and outreach for services offered.

I'm available for speaking engagements at colleges, schools, communities, corporations, management teams, businesses, associations, networking events, workshops, trainings, all religious facilities, conferences, homeless shelters, drug treatment centers, prisons, city or county jails, international motivational speaker. As a motivational speaker for the schools, the main focus is to encourage the students to make better life choices and have compassion and tolerance for those who are different or less fortunate. The content of the talk includes personal stories and of the consequences of my choices which led to incarceration and homelessness. The details are age appropriate for the grade level. I also speak about my experiences during the years I was homeless and the people who influenced me to improve my life. I speak on the importance of community and what We Rise Above The Streets does to help the impoverished population. I display what we serve the homeless. We also offer the students the option to make sack lunches and create positive, powerful messages to be delivered to the homeless. For the younger children, I read a book on homelessness and teach the importance of stewardship, being a good citizen, and helping their classmates and friends through difficulties. We look forward to working with you! Please contact us for booking fees. 315 491-7164 (FEES WILL APPLY). BOOK ME!