About the Founder - "Our mission is to strengthen families and the community through education in order to reduce isolation, build connections within and between families, and throughout the community"

Wafaa Saad

Wafaa Saad has over 25 years of experience in the area of Mental Health at St. Joseph’s Hospital, working with domestic violence victims at the WAFAA house, contributing time and expertise at the Women Rising Shelter, Strengthen Our Sisters, and at the Army Hospital in Egypt Alexandria.

She is a member of the Women’s Committee at the Islamic Center in Paterson, a member of Sisters Offer Support Group, and a member of “We Do” as well as being an active member of the Wayne Democratic Club. She does volunteer work with the Sheriff’s department in Passaic County and with Congressman Bill Pascrell’s office in Paterson. Additionally she works with the United Arab-American Coalition. She is also president of the Rotary Club.

Work Experience

Army Hospital Alexandria, Egypt May 13, 1985 to 1990

Outreach Director

St. Joseph Hospital Paterson, New Jersey May 13, 2001 to 2012

Case Manager

Wafaa House Paterson, New Jersey 2005 to 2012

I am one of the builders of Wafaa House, in Paterson, New Jersey. Running the office from 2005-2012 has required me to fulfill many responsibilities. Those include:
• Submitting, receiving and maintaining the grant
• Humbly donating my time, money and merchandise to Wafaa House.
• My tireless devotion has taken me on travels throughout NJ, including our state capital of Trenton, and involves work with NJCBW, United Way and many other non-profits in the state.
• Training of the interns and recruitment and training of volunteers
• Counseling the clients and directing them towards positive decisions
• Fundraising
• Presentations to schools and shelters for outreach
• Reporting at monthly meetings
Wafaa House was originally started as a domestic violence center but I changed it to a social service program to increase the population of clients that can receive our services. Wafaa House is open and available 24 hours a day/7 days a week for those who are in need.

WAFAA- Women and Family Ascending Association Paterson, New Jersey 2010 to present

Founder, Board President and Executive Director

Education

William Paterson University (2015)

MS in Sociology

Alexandria University

Alexandria, Egypt

Montclair State University (2005)

MS in Counseling

Certifications

Certification as NJ Social Worker (#48004)
Certification in Anger Mangement
Certification in Domestic Violence
Certification in Danger Behavior
Certification in Nutrition, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Certification in computerize book
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition – Annual Leadership Award,
2008; Office of the Mayor Certificate for Outstanding Civic Contribution,
2008; NJ Legislative District as a “woman of character, determination and enterprise”, Paterson Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, 2008, Women History of the Month honoree 2010, 2011, and 2016.
Certificate for Ambassador of Peace
Women’s Political Empowerment Award
Arabic Heritage Month Proclamation awarded by the city of Passaic and Paterson in 2019
Joint Legislative Commendation, 2019