BHALO derives from the Bengali word meaning “good,” which is exactly what we strive to do. Short for Bangladeshi Humanitarian Aid and Leadership Outreach, BHALO is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering and uplifting underserved communities across New York City.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps by providing essential resources, fostering civic engagement, and ensuring equal access to opportunities for all.
GALLERY
Our Work Diary
What We Do
At BHALO, we believe that strong communities are built on access, empowerment, and compassion. Our initiatives are designed to address critical social issues while creating long-term impact.
Workshops & Advocacy
We host Human Rights Advocacy Workshops in partnership with city organizations to educate community members on legal rights, employment, housing, and public accommodations.
With support from CAIR, we provide Hate Crime Intervention trainings that equip participants to recognize and respond to harassment and biased profiling.
Our Financial Literacy Workshops and Mental Health First Aid Trainings further empower individuals to make informed decisions and address barriers to well-being.
Food Drives & Grocery Distribution
Fighting food insecurity is at the heart of our mission. Through weekly food drives and monthly grocery distributions, we provide nutritious meals to families in need.
Our Thanksgiving and Ramadan drives bring several weeks’ worth of meals to hundreds of households, and during the pandemic, we delivered religiously-conscious meals across NYC.
Civic Engagement & Disaster Relief
BHALO encourages active participation in civic life through voter registration drives, public forums, and educational campaigns.
Our Volunteer Response Teams have provided hands-on disaster relief during Hurricane Ida, the Bronx Fire, and other emergencies—ensuring affected families receive immediate support.
Application Assistance
In partnership with organizations like AAANY, we provide translated, accessible help with applications for HRA benefits, SSI, unemployment, immigration assistance, and more—breaking down language and cultural barriers that often block communities from essential services.
Supporting Elders
We are deeply committed to supporting seniors through:
- Food assistance and voter registration drives
- Safety partnerships with local law enforcement
- Educational workshops to prevent elder abuse
- Resources that foster independence, security, and active community participation
Commercial Revitalization
BHALO is dedicated to strengthening the economic vitality of immigrant and BIPOC-owned small businesses through Commercial Revitalization initiatives. In partnership with the Avenue NYC program, we work with merchants along with the Jamaica-Hillside commercial corridor to foster collaboration, provide business support and build visibility for local entrepreneurs. Our efforts include merchant organizing and engagement, the creation of a Jamaica-Hillside Business Directory, storytelling projects that highlight the journeys of neighbourhood businesses and marketing campaigns to showcase the district’s cultural and economic vibrancy. We also activate public spaces through events like the Light the Night Festival and advocate for long-term improvements such as plaza development and neighbourhood beautification. These initiatives not only boost local businesses but also create a more welcoming and sustainable environment for residents, visitors and future entrepreneurs.
Our Mission Statement
BHALO was born in Queens, New York, with the vision of empowering BIPOC, immigrant, and underserved communities. By addressing cultural and linguistic gaps, we ensure equal access to vital resources—whether through food, education, disaster relief, or civic engagement.
We believe that when communities are equipped with knowledge, nourished with care, and strengthened through collaboration, they thrive.
At BHALO, we raise up the communities that raised us.