For Tomorrow was born out of a moment of urgency and a belief that small actions, when sustained, can create lasting change.
In the winter of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives across the country, many people were left without jobs, housing, or basic security. In Connecticut, individuals experiencing homelessness faced an especially harsh winter with limited resources.
Seeing this need firsthand, our founder, Raisa Khaled, decided to act. She organized a winter donation drive by placing large collection boxes outside her home, creating flyers, and distributing them throughout her neighborhood. What began as a small, local effort quickly grew. Over 300 donations were collected and distributed to the Salvation Army and homeless shelters such as the Friendship Service Center.
That initial drive made one thing clear: this work could not stop there.
With a phone, a whiteboard, and the help of friends and family, Raisa began brainstorming ways to turn one-time efforts into sustained, meaningful impact. From those conversations, For Tomorrow was formed with the goal of organizing yearly volunteer initiatives that support marginalized communities both locally and globally.
Where It Began (2020)
In 2021, as the pandemic continued, schools in Bangladesh were closed, and many students lacked access to basic school supplies. For Tomorrow expanded its mission to focus on education, recognizing that access to learning resources is foundational to long-term opportunity.
Raisa contacted the South Windsor Town Hall, local libraries, and community centers, set up large donation bins, and organized a school materials and toy drive. The response was overwhelming. Over 2,000 items, including backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and stuffed animals, were donated.
Volunteers transported these supplies to schools and orphanages in Bangladesh, returning with photos of students proudly holding their new materials. Remaining donations were distributed to Connecticut Children’s and the Chrysalis Center, ensuring that children both abroad and at home benefited from the drive.
For Tomorrow had grown from a neighborhood initiative into a bridge connecting communities across the globe.
A Lasting Reminder (2022)
In 2022, during a visit to Bangladesh, Raisa was invited to volunteer at the Rajshahi Montessori School, one of the schools that had received donations through For Tomorrow. There, she spent time reading stories, helping with math, and playing games with students whose joy and curiosity left a lasting impression.
On her final day, the students showed her a bulletin board filled with photos: pictures of themselves holding school supplies donated by For Tomorrow, alongside a photo of Raisa with them. As she prepared to leave, one student quietly grabbed her hand and gave her a drawing she had made.
That drawing now hangs on Raisa’s wall as a reminder of why this work matters, and of the real people behind every donation.
Growing Impact (2021)
Today, For Tomorrow continues its mission of expanding educational access for children and young adults in underprivileged communities. Through book drives led by our Vice President, Nithish Jayaraj, school supply initiatives, and volunteer-led projects, the organization remains committed to creating opportunity one resource, one student, and one community at a time.
This is not just about donations.
It’s about connection, continuity, and building a better tomorrow—together.