‘Here to support one another.’ How Under Angel Wings uplifts Centre County families
The Under Angel Wings Family Center only began its work in the past few years, but has already had a significant impact on the Centre County community. The nonprofit offers resources, events and programs to families in need around the area.
Angelique Abdul-Quddus, the executive director and founder of Under Angel Wings, is the leader and visionary behind the organization.
“I put together the programs, make sure they’re carried out, and I try to find people to give us grants. I go out into the community and let them know that Under Angel Wings is here,” Abdul-Quddus said.
Longtime friend Azim Haywood said that Abdul-Quddus has been committed to Under Angel Wings’ mission before it was even a concrete idea.
“Ever since she was in college, she started a mentor group for the girls in the high school out of her pocket,” Haywood said. “She took 50 bucks to the Dollar Tree, got arts and crafts, brought all the girls together, and tried to start a little young ladies’ empowerment group. Getting everybody together was her passion.”
People who come across the work that the Under Angel Wings Family Center does are living testimonials to its powerful message and how it touches people’s lives. Abdul-Quddus carefully considers how each program, resource and action affects the community for the greater good.
“Angelique is the type of person who puts any and everything before herself. I’ve watched her put blood, sweat and tears into her dream of running her community center. I always feel encouraged after speaking with her,” said Chelsea Vacich, who was part of the organization’s Wings of Hope program. “I see her constantly helping others. A community center makes so much sense when it comes to her and the love she has for the people who call upon her for help.”
A lot of the work Abdul-Quddus and the Under Angel Wings Family Center do is centered around the needs of the community, especially multicultural ones. From the smallest actions, such as talking to parents about their children’s football practices, the founder can see where the center’s missions are needed most.
“My involvement is just realizing the need in the community. We all have things in common, but hearing about certain things can improve our community, that’s where that started,” Abdul-Quddus said. “The first event that we had was our Black History Banquet. When I saw that everyone was able to come together for that, I realized we had something.”
The success of the first banquet started a tradition. This year, Under Angel Wings celebrated its third annual banquet at the Nittany Mall during Black History Month.
“We also always have food at this event. We believe food brings everybody together, no matter race or culture,” Abdul-Quddus said. “We had things for the kids to do, such as decorating crowns to remind them that they are kings and queens at heart.”
Under Angel Wings also holds a birthday program, offering resources for families to provide birthday parties for kids. They help with getting decorations, a cake, and at least two to three gifts.
“We’re here to support one another as a family, and we believe that it does take a village. I’ve been in times where I’ve needed a village myself,” Abdul-Quddus said. “I’ve been in times where I felt hopeless or I felt no one understood. One big thing about our community is that we believe in unity. It means a lot to me to be able to help someone, to see a child smile, to see a parent smile, and to know that I bring comfort to a family. It means a lot to me to be able to continue to do the work that needs to be done to bring unity to our community.”
Under Angel Wings also helps connect people with resources such as rental or utility bill assistance, where to get diapers for parents, or help with language barriers.
“She introduces the kids to culture, music, movies, and just overall creates a safe space for anyone who comes in contact with her. From movie nights to park days, all our kids always have a blast,” Vacich said. “Needless to say, this woman goes above and beyond to make not only her dreams come true but everyone around her who has dreams as well.”
But there’s one thing that is still missing: a physical space. Abdul-Quddus believes this is the next step in the organization’s future.
“I hope in the future it’s a real center, because right now it’s a mobile center. Wherever she pops up, it’s the center. The event is what we’re gonna make it,” Haywood said. “I would love to see her get a physical center, so there can be just a ‘home base.’ Even with the home base, it’s still gonna be how she is. It’s going to be what she’s bringing to the table with the resources and that camaraderie and sense of community. She is the center.”
Abdul-Quddus’ vision includes specific spaces inside the center such as a ladies’ meditation lounge for moms, aunts and caregivers to relax and focus on self-care, a youth lounge, and a place to help children with reading, homework and tutoring.
“I think in this day and age, with everything being so technological, things can be impersonal. That’s how we lose our sense of humanity and lose our actual community,” Haywood said. “I feel like, by her spark and igniting that, people are having better experiences here overall. The smaller impacts can ripple those big waves. She’s doing a good job at sparking it.”
To learn more about the Under Angel Wings Family Center and see their upcoming activities, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UAWFC, or on Instagram at @under.angel.wings.familycenter.