THANK YOU MADD

I want to say THANK YOU to MADD for being one of the best organizations in the world. They do absolutely everything they can do. They are the reason why I am fighting the battle with them which is trying to eliminate Drunk Driving for good. Like I said before it may not be next year or the year after, but I can see it happening down the road. MADD has truly been an inspiration for me because I am able to share my story to others and change people lives. The reason Mothers Against Drunk Driving got started because back in the 1980's a mom lost her daughter to a drunk driver and see realized something had to be done. I am giving back to the community every time I speak and for me my speaking has evolved tremendously at first I would be nervous going up and speaking, but now I cannot wait until my next speaking. I do always prepare before, because its always a new crowd I am speaking to. I went to a spiritual speaking today and one of the men there said think about this "your sisters death is helping save thousands of lives". I paused before I said something back because now I look at it, its true if my sisters had not been killed by a drunk driver, I would not be speaking or even interning with MADD. I am changing my life completely especially after my sisters death and now I got to learn how to live with this for the rest of my life.
      My sister was a wonderful and amazing girl, you knew she was always in the room and her laugh was one I will never forget. Also MADD does amazing things to remember my sister they created a cup with her picture in it, they wrote a story about me and her and sent it to all the families for this upcoming holidays so that nobody will drink and drive, they do this every year its their last push.  MADD is amazing everyone should help make an effort to eliminate drunk driving, because its 120% preventable. For me now I hate to hear about how other families have lost someone because of a drunk driver, its the worst feeling in the world, to know that if someone else would have drove, they would be alive its that simple. But to end this blog once again I want to say THANK YOU to MADD and everyone in the organization throughout all the states. MALAK I LOVE YOU AND I ALWAYS MISS YOU RIP.

What I Learned

My internship which I am still going to is amazing and will continue to be amazing. I love that I chose MADD, but the sad part is I chose this internship because my sister was killed by a drunk driver and I wanted to do something about that. I am glad that I am able to share my story to many people. I have probably told my story almost 200 times and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. I love speaking in front of an audience, many people will come up to me and take pictures or hug me saying I was an inspiration and the hard part is telling the story about how my sister was killed. Do I cry when I do speak sometimes, yes of course its painful to go up there and talk about my sister. Not everybody can do what I am doing, I hear other speakers and they tell me they waited three years to speak which for me I could not do. People tell me all the time that I am crazy for speaking so soon or how do you do it? I learned many things from this internship.
      MADD taught me many things one was being able to give me courage to speak, they helped through my speaking process. I also learned more about what MADD does and what they are working on in the future and its going to be a successful future for MADD I can already see it. I mention this before I saved well over 1000 lives or even there might have been people that drink less or got rid of alcohol after they heard me speak. I am doing the best I can. MADD is helping me every step of the way. I believe I did meet my goals. I am leader, I am life-saver, a change maker, a motivator, and I am community activists. I do feel I need to do more in the community activists though, but that does take time. I have several more speakings this upcoming week and I cannot wait to go, these are my last speakings for this year so I got to give it my all. I do want to be a motivational speaker, but this all comes with time. I do hope I can go schools and not only talk about drunk driving, but motivate the students about their education and life choices. I am doing this all for my sister MALAK whom I miss dearly every second, every minute, every hour I think of her, I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU RIP.

Career Service Write-up

Today I met with an educational/career adviser at my old community college which I go visit often. I always go talk to her when I can. She gives me great advice and plus she has a master's degree which I am hoping to obtain in the near future. The great part with her is she is always happy to see me when I do visit the campus. She told me that I should try to go into being a counselor or teacher if I really want to help kids. I do learn a lot from this women she's hardworking and does her job well. We also talked about what master's degree I should be going to into she gave me several options, but I believe that Public Administration would be the best one, you can do so much with that degree. I also met with a Cal State Northridge  Representative after I spoke to her, he gave me the same advice go and apply for your master's degree as soon as possible. I believe people should stop after they get their bachelors degree because some masters programs may only take another 4 semesters or if you really want to finish quick you may finish them in three semesters which is 12 months or one year.  School is about investing in yourself because after school you will be working for the rest of your life so why not go already to the top which is obtain a PhD. I want to do great things in my lifetime, but first I want finish school off strong and go all the way to the top of the mountain.
       Before I spoke to the adviser I spoke in a Health Class which was my last speaking at College of the Canyons for this fall semester. The speaking went awesome, I spoke to my former professor which was the first class I ever took at my community college back in 2009. The professor was happy to see me again and she said she would love for me to comeback and speak in the Spring Semester. I am making an impact the best I can and I think its not only helping my life, but the lives of the other students and for that I am grateful. I plan on speaking in 2015 to more High Schools and Community Colleges and Universities. I want to go from a good speaker to a great speaker. Here is the Class I spoke to today.

 

The Strength of MADD

MADD is amazing I cannot express how much I love what they do, they really do care. The biggest goal they have and may take a few years to accomplish, is to Eliminate Drunk Driving which I believe will happen one day. This is a battle and challenge that they are fighting and still going to fight. The organization is the nations largest non-profit which is saying something, people are willing to help and continue to help and make a difference. MADD always seeks volunteers, they would love to hear everyone's story, but at the same time you have to realize some people may not like talking about what happen to them or their family members or even friends. Talking about something that is so personal can be a challenge, but for me I love talking about what happen to my sister, I do not want people to forget that there was a Drunk Driving Car Crash in Burbank, and I will do my best to bring to the newspapers and TV every year no matter how long its been.
  I would say one thing MADD really does need to consider is emailing schools first instead waiting for them to email you. Because if a professor gets an email from a person who works for MADD, they most definitely would set up a day where they can come in and speak. If I were in charge of a similar organization I would personally go to schools myself and tell them I want to speak which is what I do now, but I do feel that all their staff throughout the nation should be doing that. Sometimes schools may not know your available and they should not wait for them to contact you, MADD should contact them. The more schools you go to the more people start learning what MADD does and the more people you touch and the more people that are willing to help. Its a win win.   Here is a picture of a class I spoke to and I just want to say I really touched all these students.

2015

I want 2015 to be the best year I have ever had. My goal is to find a fellowship, but also have a fitness lifestyle. I have not been to gym in a month, but I plan on going soon. When 2015 does arrive I hope I can be the best I can be. Fitness is a big goal, I do feel I am capable of getting that body I have always wanted. Fitness should be in everyone's daily life. Going to the gym for an hour is only 4% of your day, which there should be no excuse for that. I keep thinking about 2015 because I know it will be a tough year for me, but I will do my best to have the best year of my life. I will do whatever it takes. I plan on achieving a lot of goals I have, but first I have to work on myself. This year was a tough year and still is, but ending it will be okay because I will be graduating and then its my birthday two days later so there is a lot to look forward to.

   I know next year I will have a good time, I want my lifestyle to change, I want to move to another state maybe Michigan. I really want my lifestyle to change, there is a lot I do need to change about myself. This all takes time, I cannot change everything about myself in one night or one week, it may take months, but I will make sure that my lifestyle will change. I just cannot wait to start 2015 with the right mindset and a successful path, because I know 2015 will be the year I go from good to great. One thing I really do want to do is wake up earlier I plan on starting at 7am try to get my day going from there. I do feel like when you wake up earlier, you can get more things done in the day and realize you still have hours to spare. I hope everyone has a successful 2015.

Finding a Fellowship/Graduation

My main goal after graduation is to find a fellowship, I really want to go to grad school. I always tell myself I give another year or so for the masters. I also always tell myself "WHY STOP" if a masters degree takes another four semesters and it usually does I can do another four semesters. Not only will this help with my career path, but also this will enhance my knowledge. I always tell people "knowledge is the new money". Education for me plays a big part in my life, and I am glad that I am going to graduate from The Arizona State University and I could not be more happier. Finding a fellowship is not easy, and I hope I can meet someone who will show me how to get a fellowship, being able to have your grad school paid for is amazing and I know I will get a fellowship before Fall of 2015. I still do not know what school I want to go to, but I will be applying to at least five schools. Getting a bachelors is nice, but I want that masters. I already have my education plan set out for me, lets say I go to grad school Fall of 2015 I will be set to graduate Fall of 2016 taking every semester of course. Then I plan on going to get my PhD which is another story for me. Think about this being 30 years old with a PhD sounds wonderful.
       I want to get to top meaning that PhD and for me I will do whatever it takes. I want it bad. I never thought I would love school as I do today, but once I entered the community college level I fell in love and I will keep going till I reach my goal. Education is big, some people do not realize it, but its not that hard to go to class and do the work and study. Because stepping on that stage and knowing you gave it your all, is worth it. I put 120% in everything I do in life. I cannot wait to graduate in a month, but also find that fellowship I will be looking for. "NEVER GIVE UP".

VATI

This past weekend I went to Phoenix for a VATI event which stands for Victim Assistance Training Institute and now I will be a certified Victim Advocate. The class started Saturday Morning from 8am to 5pm with breaks in between. I was the youngest adult in the class which was fine with me, but hearing everyone's story was really difficult and emotional, because drinking and driving is 120% preventable every time every single time. I learned a lot of valuable information on how to be a great Victim Advocate. MADD is a wonderful non-profit organization and continuing to put more effort into eliminating Drunk Driving. I believe this is a big step for me in order to become that National Speaker I would like to be. Yes this was a beginning Curriculum, but the information was valuable and amazing. For example we talked about The Aftermath of Impaired Driving Homicide and also Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Chronic Depression and Suicide Ideation, which are heavy subjects. Everyone has a different story, all Drunk Driving situations are different, yes the outcome maybe the same meaning that their son, daughter or husband or wife died. I told the class that I will eliminate Drunk Driving and I will do my best to get it done, if I have to give up sleep I will. I cannot wait to go to an advanced VATI event which I will more information and I always tell myself the more the information the better. Thank You MADD.
On Tuesday October 28, 2013 was 13 months since my sister passed away and I spoke at Valencia High School which was beautiful and I cannot wait to be back. I spoke to five classes and I put my heart out when I spoke. All the classes I spoke to was amazing, but the room was so heavy in every class, I cried in the fifth and last class I spoke to, sometimes this happens when I cry, I will cry. I touched everyone and afterwards I decided to take a class picture which I will be doing from now on in every class I speak to.  I want to Thank Valencia High School for giving me the opportunity to speak and I will see you in January.

MADD Public Service

MADD the largest non-profit organization in the nation and they continue to play a huge role in the community. MADD does host events for example this past weekend was the WALK LIKE MADD in the city of Long Beach where families who have lost loved ones to Drunk Driving come and do a 5k walk to raise awareness, but also raise money for MADD. All the services that MADD has to offer is at no-charge we are trying to help the victims and families as much as possible.  The thing is anyone can donate so this was not an private event, the public heard about this and hundreds of people helped supported the walk. This turned out to be a wonderful and enjoying experience not only for me, but all the people that showed up. MADD also goes out to schools and speak about the dangers of Drunk Driving and what are the consequences. By far almost everything they do is for the public, raising awareness and the campaign to eliminate Drunk Driving this is a public issue and they need to tell the public about this. Public Service is a huge part in this world and there is a quote by Demi Lovato she says " There's no point to living life unless you make history, and the best way to make history is to help others" The history that MADD is making is remarkable and simply amazing  and we will achieve what some people may think is impossible, but MADD and myself will eliminate Drunk Driving.

 My favorite quote by Mahatma Gandhi is "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others". Public Service is everything, whether it be interning for a small non-profit, you are still contributing to the world. What I like about MADD a lot they are striving to be the best they can be and the fact is that its the largest non-profit organization in the nation is extremely great. All the states have to work together to achieve history. For me personally I am going out to the community and showing my service that I am doing, and I am making a difference, I am changing someone's life. Public Service is going out to the community and making a difference and MADD is one of the best at this. I support MADD 120% in all they are trying to achieve, everything they do is for the public and to show that Drunk Driving is 120% preventable every time every single time.I joined MADD because of my beautiful sister. Malak I Miss You Every Single Day.

Keep Calling Don' t Text and Old Fashion Dating Habits We Should Make Cool Again

I feel like calling people now a days is dying out especially since technology is improving each day and most people are on their phones or tweeting. I love calling people, its different from texting, hearing a person's voice is a wonderful thing. I love to hear people's voices when I call. I do not want to see in five years that it maybe frowned upon someone calling you. It's always nice to call someone that maybe you have not seen in a couple years or longer and just see how they are doing. I tell people always keep in touch no matter where you go, nobody is busy 24/7 where they cannot answer the phone and talk for five to ten minutes. I will always continue to call people and ask how they are doing. How many people do you that love texting more than calling? I don't like texting, I rather have someone call me then keep texting me over and over again. We live in society where later down the road phone calls may die out, which is a sad observation to bring up, but it maybe true.  For example most of my friends in Arizona they tend to text more or be on their phone either Instagram or Twitter. I want people to focus what's in front of them instead of being on their phone all the time.

    I like to bring up fashion dating habits that we should make cool again. One of them is romantic gestures like writing poems or letters when do you hear about a teenager or adult specifically 18-25 years old writing letters that has died out. Another one is turning electronics off and just being with one another. I see people at restaurants always on their phone when they are with a girl, I do not know if its a date or their girlfriend, but still focus on what's in front of you. Turn off the phone because there is a beautiful girl that wants to have your full attention and talk to you. One more is straightforwardly asking someone out and not calling it "hanging out". Once again I always lets hang out, I barely hear someone telling someone I am asking you out. Why do certain phrases have to die out. I hope this blog brings attention to several people and I hope people they do realize that I am right and they will start making a change.   

Doing my Best

I want to talk about how well my speaking's have been going. I spoke yesterday at College of the Canyons which went extremely well. I just feel that my speaking is going to another level. Next week I have Cal State LA Monday, Tuesday Valencia High School and Wednesday Van Nuys High School which will be an amazing week for me. These teachers are giving me opportunities to come speak and I have to be thankful that I am getting these opportunities.  When I speak its not about me, its about changing someone's life in the classroom or multiple lives. I want to make a difference and yes the students are telling me I am which is simply amazing and I am so grateful that I could potentially change a person' s life in less than 45 minutes. I mention this in previous blogs, but I want to be a national speaker, I want to speak in every state in every school possible.

   This Drunk Driving Car Crash changed my life forever I am not the same person I was 12 months, there is a quote I found it says "The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not 'get over' the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again, but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to".  I am starting to believe in this quote, but its so early to tell how to live without my sister, I never thought this would happen to me. My life was content when my sister was alive and now life does not make sense at all. I am slowly trying to rebuild myself, but then its so early I am taking the most littlest baby steps I can take to help me. Then again time does not heal all wounds it does not, I feel like you will always feel pain.  I say this all the time, but my sister dying still has not hit me yet, I do not know when that day will come, but I am ready for it.

     I am going to make a difference as much as I can and will always will be. Ellie DeGeneres said "Contribute to the world. Help People. Help one person. Help someone cross the street today. Help someone who is trying to help you. Just help. Make an Impact. Show someone you care".

Leadership

          Leadership plays a big role, being in MADD you have to be a leader and that's exactly what I am doing. When I speak I am being a leader on stage I have to change these people's lives, and I want to impact them as much as I can. I do believe I am leading, not only speaking, but I want to eliminate Drunk Driving. A leader goes out and leads right, so that's what I am doing here. I will down the road become a national speaker which is what, that is a leader. I want to lead people to a change and I believe I will be that change maker. This internship is preparing me to become the best leader I can. I also listen to other speakers who share their stories and I try to examine them and see what I can do differently when I go up there and speak. My co-workers they are leaders, they have to be respectful to the offenders and to the families that have lost loved ones and see what services they have when that does happen. They are always trying to help people which is one trait of being a leader is show that you care. I believe everyone in MADD is a leader no matter what position you are in, this is the largest non-profit organization.

            My internship picked me to fly out to Phoenix, Arizona the weekend of October 24-26 because of a VATI meeting which stands for Victim Assistance Training Institute and this is a wonderful opportunity that I will have and I cannot wait to meet the people I meet there. I hope to run into someone who will show me what it takes to become a national speaker. I am thankful my internship is doing this for me and the thank you I give them is when I say "I want to eliminate Drunk Driving", that is my goal. MADD has helped me in many ways and they will continue to help me and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for me.

Don't Drink and Drive

              Drinking and Driving has been a big problem in the United States. I feel that we need to eliminate Drunk Driving for good. People do it all the time and they say in general if you do it once, you are more likely to do it again and that's the sad part. People don't have to drink and drive why they do it, you don't know what goes through that person's mind at the moment right before they get in the car. I feel that drivers who drive drunk are doing that because they have to get home for a reason maybe I have work in the morning. One shot, one beer, one cup of wine can change your perception of driving, you are 50% more likely to get in a car crash with one drink. Driving Drunk is a serious matter when I speak about the subject I put all my effort into, because well my sister was killed by a drunk driver, so I have to change people's lives when I speak. I will never understand why people drive drunk, but I do certainly understand why people drink they want to have a good time and have fun. I want to more effort into the campaign of "Eliminating Drunk Driving" you know how special how lets in five years Drunk Driving has significantly decreased that would be a remarkable day and I hope to make this happen.

                Along with trying to eliminate Drunk Driving I would also love to start a scholarship program under my sisters name which does require a lot of effort and time which I am willing to put. I would call it the "MALAK HARIRI SCHOLARSHIP". I just want to do many things for my sister trying to keep her name and legacy alive is one thing I am willing to fight for and I don't want people to forget about my sister. I want to start programs and keep speaking about this Drunk Driving car crash, it was the biggest so you cannot forget the biggest. I talk about it because I want to people to feel my pain and hear my story and know that this should never happen to them, I want everyone to make it home safe and remember its one phone call away that can save your life. There is someone out there who will pick you up. Don't Drink and Drive

Program Specialist Keith Page Interview

I interviewed my Program Specialist who works for MADD which stands for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

I am responsible for implementing and managing MADD’s SMART™ (Start Making a Right Turn) program in various cities throughout Los Angeles and Ventura County. SMART™ is a program for youth between 13-18 years of age that have been charged with any variety of offenses, including (but not limited to): possession of alcohol by a minor, possession of marijuana, reckless driving, speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt, talking/texting while driving and other motor vehicle violations.  

I started out as a substance abuse counselor for a non-profit organization that provided treatment services for inmates within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. During my tenure as a substance abuse counselor I discovered that most of my clients begin to use drugs and alcohol at an early age, as early as nine years old. As a result, I was inspired to help children who have issues with substance abuse and I was eventually given an opportunity to serve as a Program Coordinator for a non-profit organization that provides treatment services for both middle and high school age youth that have a history of substance abuse. After serving as Program Coordinator for two years, I decided to resign to further my education so that I could equip myself with the tools that I needed to start my own business and impact youth on a larger scale. In 2012, I obtained MPA (Master of Public Administration). In order to be a Program Specialist for MADD, you need to have a Bachelor’s degree within the social science field and at least two years of experience working with at-risk youth.  In order to be an effective Program Specialist, you need to, network, network, network because you never know who (teachers, law enforcement officers, local business owners, youth counselors, etc.) will help get the success rates that you desire. In regards to new trends in the field: More students nationally, 12^th graders, are using marijuana daily than they were 5 years ago 5.1% to 6.5% (Monitoring the Future, 2012) http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/

I would be interested in this career, because you can help change people's lives and help parents feel better about their son or daughter.  Helping teenagers is a wonderful opportunity, you may actually be their inspiration after the program is all said and done.

Phi Mu and Alpha Xi Delta

I spoke to two Sororities last night at CSUN. The first sorority was Phi Mu this speaking was in a lecture hall, I spoke for about 30 to 40 minutes. When I speak I am loud, I want everyone to hear me. My message, my story is something that everyone needs to hear about. The first speaking went well usually the first speaking I may not be as powerful as the next one, I don't know why that is, but that sometimes happens. Phi Mu is a wonderful sorority I did not get much questions at the end, but I know I touched most of the girls in the classroom. I am thankful for speaking to them. I hope to come again and speak about another subject which would be amazing. Go Phi Mu.

      Now the next sorority was Alpha Xi Delta and let me tell you something right when I walked in I knew it would be emotional, because most of  these girls were sitting on the floor it was more of a library room scene. The first couple of minutes I was doing amazing, but since everyone was so close to each other I continued to speak and I started to cry, I usually do not cry, but sometimes that happens this is the second time I have cried out of 54 speaking's. Most of the girls were emotional, when I speak there is always two-three girls crying, but since this was all girls there were many of them crying, you could hear the tears coming out. After I speak I do Q&A and I have never had Q&A where the questions were so deep I mean they were emotional and these girls asked thinker questions. One girl said "Mohamed you said your sister is your angel, maybe you are giving us your angel", this was the most emotional question I got all night. I loved all the questions these beautiful girls asked me, the questions kept coming, this was a phenomenal night, all these girls told me you are an inspiration, you changed my life tonight. After we were all done most of them came up to me and gave me a hug and thanked me for coming in and speaking, one girl told me, you were the best speaker I have ever heard, this made me smile and cry. I am truly making a difference for the better I want to change people's lives and save people's live, like I said I want to be someone's inspiration.  Go Alpha Xi Delta

  I want to say thank you for both sororities for letting me come in and speak, I honestly had an amazing time. Lets keep up with the great work girls, make your sorority proud. Smile More. Malak I Love You and I Miss You RIP

 

I love Speaking

I started speaking at schools in August, right when schools started to be opened. I just started emailing professor, I have sent over four hundred emails and I still continue to send emails. People have to know that Driving Under the Influence is no joke, this is a serious matter. I don't play around with this one bit. I have spoke at College of the Canyons multiple of times, I love speaking because that's where I went and my sister went to. This community college is beautiful I love going to, I love speaking, and I love meeting new people. I have more speaking's coming up in the next month and I honestly cannot wait. I hope to inspire this generation, because especially the teenagers they think that they are invincible, but in reality they are not. That's why I want to be able to speak across all states, I hope down the road, someone comes along and says "Mohamed I want to pay you to speak" that day is the day I am waiting for.  

          I am more comfortable speaking now then a while back.This honestly has opened me up easily to go up in a classroom of 40-50 students and speak without being nervous. If I do have a presentation to do in one class, it will be easy. I always try to bring people to come watch me speak and then they can give me ideas on what to do better next time. I am always trying to improve my speaking, this is my passion and I want to be phenomenal at what I do. Malak is proud of what I am doing and I know this, people always tell me Mohamed you are making a difference and continue to make a difference. All For MALAK. RIP

 

Simple Choices

I want to be remember as someone who changed someone's life, who saved someone's life. I don't know the reason why my sister died I will never know, but there saying "everything happens for a reason", what's the reason I may never find it. I will however do my best, to live the best life possible, because one day I will die too and I don't know how. Speaking about a loss is the most difficult thing to do. I spoke at Antelope Valley College last week on Thursday to three different classes, and for the first time in the first class I cried when I spoke. I never cry when I speak, but then again this happens because this is a difficult subject to talk about. More than half the class was crying after I cried and I know I touched a lot of students that day. I am proud that I still can go to schools and speak about what happen to my sister. I want to keep spreading the message as much as I can, do not stop. My sister would be so proud of me right now, she probably would be laughing that I am going to schools and speaking and when I speak I am loud. I believe that I am here to change lives, I want to put an end to Drunk Driving because nobody should have to go through what I am going through.

     Drunk Driving is 120% preventable, but its a choice you made to drink and drive why do people drink and drive I really do not know, but I know that they think that they can make it home. I want to say this "Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make. Period." One simple choice can cost your life in this case it was a drunk driver that made that choice to drive drunk. When you are driving you got be focused 120%, put the phone the away, do not text and drive etc. You have to realize you are driving a machine. I want everyone to hear my message loud and clear and I hope to carry this message as long as I can. Every Post I will post a picture of my sister.

One Year Anniversary of My Sisters Death

Yesterday was September 28, 2014 One year ago my sister Malak was killed by a drunk driver. I thought when I woke up it would hit me that she is gone, but still did not. After I woke up I was feeling good, the whole day was special everyone smiling no one was sad, but I do miss my sister so much. Malak was my diamond and one year was quick, my friends always tell me "Mohamed one year is nothing wait till five, six years that's difficult". I am grateful that I am still alive and making a difference, I am spreading the message of Don't Drink and Drive. http://ktla.com/2014/09/28/malak-hariri-4-others-remembered-1-year-after-fatal-burbank-crash/

 For me I am using this loss as motivation to inspire people, to change lives, and to save lives. Potentially I want to be a motivational speaker, John F. Kennedy said "you want to be heard, you have to speak". I love speaking, I cannot wait till I speak in front of 500 to 1,000 people that time will come soon.

        I have a three year plan where I want to finish writing a book "The Day A Drunk Driver Changed My Life". My plan is to write 100 pages at the end of this three year plan. I feel like writing a book will be the best idea. A book can travel many miles. Writing a book does show a lot about your character. Life is a challenge especially losing a sister, but I will overcome this challenge and become a successful speaker, I am doing this all for my sister. Malak I Love You and I Miss You.

TYPICAL DAY AT MADD

Mother's Against Drunk Driving, is a truly amazing organization and I thank them for starting this up in the 1980's. There are four victim impact panel classes a month where I speak at them and I will tell the people to line up and be ready for check in. I check their ID's to make sure its them and they will have to sign in to enter the class, usually this routine takes about 40 minutes to an hour to go through. There are about 200 DUI offenders that show to up the class, which is mandatory. I then get called up to the stage where I speak in front of them and tell them my story on how I lost my sister, most of them do cry especially the people in their 20's. After the class I am the one handing out the certification followed up by my many of them telling me my speech was either good, great, or amazing. To speak in front of that many people is not an easy challenge sometimes I do pause because it does sink in to me sometimes, but most all I want them to understand what I am going through.
      There was a MADD walk in Simi Valley where I help prepared for the Walk, this Walk is for the families that have been effected by a Drunk Driver, and since it was the first one there, the turn out was great. I had a fun time, but also I am truly grateful to see people coming and making a difference also. The next event that is coming up is the biggest Walk they have which is at Granada Beach, usually they tell me there are about 1000 people who show up. All in all interning for MADD besides the internship itself I am making a difference how much more can I do. MADD is the best internship out there and if any of you have been effected by a Drunk Driver, come along and share your story and make a difference, save someone's life. Thank You. 

MALAK HARIRI MY SISTER MY ANGEL MY DIAMOND WHO WAS SHE?

I am going to talk about my sister Malak Hariri. Malak was a beautiful girl, she was an amazing person and the people that did not meet her well you missed out on a truly special person. Malak loved school just like me she probably thought well if my brother loves school and I am going to do the same. Education is so important to me, you can change the world with knowledge. Malak went to Burbank High School graduated in 2012 and decided well I am going to College of the Canyons, because my brother is there and he says this college is just a great school. My sister was here for two and a half semesters where she excelled in every class she took. She wanted to be an eye doctor like wow, her goals were set high for being 19 years old and knowing what and where you want to go with your life is amazing, I loved her for that. Malak had a lot of friends, but her best friend was Stephanie who went to College of the Canyons with her and is still here, they would always be together, when I would come home late, they would be doing homework till 5/6 in the morning they cared about there education. Their favorite drink would be Red Bull, you know it gives you wings. I do not know how they would drink that drink three times a day, they loved it.  
    My sister had her whole life ahead, she was such an amazing person that you knew she was in the room no matter where you went. One thing that her employees would always talk about was Malak's smile her smile made any one's day, she worked at Best Buy if you had a bad day there all you have to look at was Malak's smile and your day will be that much better. I miss my sister so much, I went to Arizona State and came back and I never saw her again that hurts, I do wish I saw her one more time, gave her one more hug, one more call. Malak her name means Angel in Arabic and I am wearing an Angels hat which is crazy because I found this hat at the car crash scene and this was the last item there. I want to end this blog with, Malak I hope you are reading this I love you and you are my #1, I will never forget what happen. RIP.

LETS CHANGE THE WORLD

I am right now at College of the Canyons where my sister and I went, I went to school with her in Fall of 2012 before I transfer to Arizona State University. That semester was the best semester I have ever had, going to college with my sister was an amazing experience usually one does not go to the same college as a brother or sister. My sister followed me because she knew I had something special coming. When you lose someone to a drunk driver that pain you have will never go away because drunk driving is what it's 100% preventable and people still drink and drive. I want to change the world however long it takes, I will make that happen, I will keep fighting till the last day I am on earth. My sister was everything to me and I lost her to a drunk driver like why that is the question I ask myself all the time, how come no one took the keys from him that night. My favorite saying is Friend's Don't Let Friend's Drive Drunk. If you see your friend drinking and he drove there, take the keys away from you might just have saved his life. He might not have known that, but deep down inside you did and he will thank you later for.
   I love talking about the Drunk Driving Car Crash that took my sister's life away because this helps me in my healing process, and when I do speak at schools the professors have found that my speech/message is powerful, moving, and inspiring. I love speaking, I want to touch every student I can yes, some students may not get touched, but if I touch one person I saved a life that day, my day was made. I cry sometimes because I am making a change and this change will just keep getting bigger and bigger. One day I will start getting paid to speak and when that day comes I will cry and hug one picture of my sister because I will feel like I won the championship. I want to be a leader, motivator, community activists, educator, and change maker. I'm doing this all for my angel, my diamond MALAK HARIRI, you will be truly missed, I LOVE YOU.

ORGANIZATION INTRODUCTION

The organization that I am interning for is MADD which is Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the reason I decided to intern for this Non-Profit Organization is because I lost my sister Malak Hariri who was 19 years old to a Drunk Driver. Five people died, one girl survived this happen on September 28, 2013 in Burbank, CA it was announced as the biggest car crash in Burbank History. MADD issues free services to families that have been effected by Drunk Drivers. All of there services are free, resulting in helping each family member overcoming the loss of their loved one. They are nationwide and they want to reduce and eliminate drunk driving. I am so thankful to be interning for them, I am changing and saving lives.
  I will be helping out in the events that they have scheduled for this upcoming year. I also will be speaking at the Victim Impact Panel Classes that they have for the people that are issued a DUI, when one gets a DUI you have to take this three hour class in order to get your certification of being there. I also have been speaking at several events that have been passed, but touching people and changing someones lives is amazing. I took this opportunity to reduce drunk driving so that people will make it home and be smart about the decisions they make, but also I am doing this for my sister RIP MALAK HARIRI I LOVE YOU.  She is my "WHY".

Internship to Save Lives

         My name is Mohamed Allie Hariri, I am 23 years old and I am expected to graduate this Fall of 2014 at Arizona State University, with a bachelors in Public Service and Public Policy (Criminology). I hope to go after my Master's degree at another university which is still unknown at the moment. My main goal is to go get my PhD. I just feel getting to the top would be an amazing accomplishment. Three goals I hope to achieve through this internship is to change people's lives, learn more about public policy and to be an inspiration to the audience I will be talking to. I want to help people down the road, I want to make this world a better place.
           The fact that I landed this internship is remarkable and to be able to show people what happen to me and how my life was changed, that serves a purpose to them because I am going to change their life. I want to be a change maker, a life-saver, a motivator, a community activists, and a leader.