With a bleak start to this new year, it feels extra hard to escape the negative mindset accompanying 2025. To shift this perspective, I sought out something positive on campus. When casually chatting with a classmate, I knew I found something great when she shared her involvement with a nonprofit group. I was instantly intrigued by her story and the development of Noorishment, an organization working to improve educational opportunities for minority and immigrant students here in St. Louis. After speaking with fellow UMSL student, Aisha Rafshanova, I got the scoop behind the inspiring board of directors working to improve the lives of our youth here.
The story starts in 2018 in Dallas, Texas, where Noorishment originally started with a goal to end poverty in St. Louis. In 2019, the team found a more substantial need to fill educational resource gaps and implemented the Dare to Dream program. The program currently provides three different career workshops (engineering, medical and business) to expose students to higher education and resources in a hands-on environment. At the beginning of 2024, Kinza Awais, who was connected to the Dallas team, brought Noorishment to St. Louis.
The St. Louis team quickly grew to a board of directors comprised of six young women who connected through their mutual struggles while pursuing higher education. Fueled by this passion, the group wants to pave a different path for others.
“I know how difficult it was for me to be able to network and break into the field of law. I want to make sure that it’s easier and more accessible for students going forward,” says Aisha, the volunteer coordinator for Noorishment.
After a year of hard work and dedication, the first Vitals Workshop was a huge success for the Noorishment team. Partnering with LifeWise STL, the Vitals Workshop provided hands-on experience with stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, thermometers and more to 18 high school students. The workshop engaged the teens in basic vital sign detection skills, fostering new connections between students and team members. Being able to provide these resources in a more laid-back environment allows for a unique experience and inspires everyone involved.
Aisha was gracious enough to answer a few more questions about Noorishment.
What is different to you about Noorishment?
So, to give you a brief overview of Noorishment, we are implementing the Dare to Dream program, which are workshops that help students in underprivileged communities. We will have medical and engineering workshops that provide hands-on experiences in these fields. What’s unique about it is that the volunteers as well as the board, we are able to act as somewhat mentors to these students.
What do you want UMSL students to know about Noorishment and the work being done here in St Louis?
Firstly, it’s not too late to get involved and we’re still accepting volunteers. On Instagram you’re able to find the volunteer application and one thing that I do want to note is [that] I don’t want anybody to be discouraged if they’re not in the medical or engineering fields. Our training will help you in successfully navigating group workshops, so you don’t need to be in those fields to volunteer. Our focus at Noorishment is to provide resources and assistance for underprivileged students to make the STEM fields more accessible.
