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Ryan Almusawi reads to an elementary student at a school in Washington D.C.

Ryan Almusawi reads to an elementary student at a school in Washington D.C.

TTU K-12 Allows Entrepreneur the Freedom to Manage his Nonprofit Organization

High School Senior Started Charitable Crusaders in Sixth Grade

By Leslie Cranford, Media Relations Coordinator

April 30, 2018

The Charitable Crusaders leadership team receives an award and recognition from the City of Fort Worth City Council and Mayor.

The Charitable Crusaders leadership team receives an award and recognition from the City of Fort Worth City Council and Mayor.

The Charitable Crusaders leadership team receives an award and recognition from the City of Fort Worth City Council and Mayor.

The Charitable Crusaders leadership team receives an award and recognition from the City of Fort Worth City Council and Mayor.

From a very young age, Ryan Almusawi's mother encouraged him and his sister to get involved in things. So it was natural for Ryan to want to get involved in the community and lead others in a way that would positively change the world. Ryan also became involved with TTU K-12, which helped him along the way.

“In the sixth grade I founded a nonprofit organization called Charitable Crusaders Inc. Its mission is to assist communities in need and empower them through resourceful programs,” Ryan explained. “We achieve this by implementing targeted programs that positively impact communities facing social, economic and educational challenges.”

Ryan talks to kindergarten students at a financially-disadvantaged elementary school during the Christmas party hosted by Charitable Crusaders.

Ryan talks to kindergarten students at a financially-disadvantaged elementary school during the Christmas party hosted by Charitable Crusaders.

Ryan talks to kindergarten students at a financially-disadvantaged elementary school during the Christmas party hosted by Charitable Crusaders.

Ryan talks to kindergarten students at a financially-disadvantaged elementary school during the Christmas party hosted by Charitable Crusaders.

Ryan, now 18, attends Saginaw High School in the Fort Worth area. He says it was personally difficult to balance and prioritize being a full-time student and a full-time leader of a nonprofit.

TTU K-12 has helped tremendously by providing the courses necessary to graduate with extra credits and standout as a prospective undergraduate college student,” Ryan said.

The group’s volunteer deployment to Rockport, Texas to aid in hurricane relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

The group's volunteer deployment to Rockport, Texas to aid in hurricane relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

The group’s volunteer deployment to Rockport, Texas to aid in hurricane relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

The group's volunteer deployment to Rockport, Texas to aid in hurricane relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

One example of the multitude of Charitable Crusaders outreach efforts is Slay Hunger, an initiative that provides meals to homeless citizens by partnering with local food businesses that donate leftover food.

“In 2017 we were able to provide more than 11,000 meals to homeless citizens in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area,” Ryan said.

Olympian Michael Phelps recognizes Ryan and friend Micah for their charitable endeavors at the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Olympian Michael Phelps recognizes Ryan and friend Micah for their charitable endeavors at the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Olympian Michael Phelps recognizes Ryan and friend Micah for their charitable endeavors at the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Olympian Michael Phelps recognizes Ryan and friend Micah for their charitable endeavors at the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Ryan's work with Charitable Crusaders has not gone unnoticed. He earned the President's Volunteer Service award in 2017 for which he received formal recognition from President Obama and in 2018 with recognition from President Trump. He also was awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community Award in those same years.

Ryan is the son of Kristin Torres and Ali Almusawi. He has a brother in elementary school and a sister in middle school. He plans on attending Texas Christian University in the fall to study business.

“I specifically plan on majoring in business administration with a concentration in finance,” Ryan said. “Later, after gaining workplace internships and experiences, I'll go to graduate school to obtain a degree in healthcare administration, as I have had the blessing of being mentored by the CEO of Cook Children's hospital, a children's hospital Charitable Crusaders began working with early on.”

A Charitable Crusaders volunteer directs local students at an elementary school on an activity for field day.

A Charitable Crusaders volunteer directs local students at an elementary school on an activity for field day.

A Charitable Crusaders volunteer directs local students at an elementary school on an activity for field day.

A Charitable Crusaders volunteer directs local students at an elementary school on an activity for field day.

As a student with an obviously busy life, Ryan recommends TTU K-12 to others who may need some course options or supplements to accommodate other obligations.

"TTU K-12 has allowed me to successfully finish my education while providing the convenience and flexibility of its online format,” Ryan said. “I am very thankful for the opportunities TTU K-12 has given me, as well as the future success that will come. If you are looking for a solution to get ahead or fill gaps academically, consider TTU K-12 as an option."

Follow Charitable Crusaders on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.