A DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM TO CULTIVATE THE IDEAL MUSLIM YOUTH

Program Description

Dose of Deen (a mentoring program for young youth) is a pilot program and new project initiative geared towards preteens and young teens from the 4th to 8th grade.  We believe in the importance of developing youth through a comprehensive approach to providing faith/character development, knowledge, and opportunities for growth. 

Dose of Deen is designed to create a collaborative approach between mentors, parents, and the youth in order to achieve Tarbiya* and ultimately provide mentees with the tools to reach their highest Islamic, social, and professional potential. 

Select youth groups are matched with a mentor for weekly meet-ups where they partake in a comprehensive and structured developmental curriculum. In addition, mentors provide biweekly check-ins to their mentees along with periodic trips. Parents are provided with updates about their kids, parenting workshops, and educational materials to help them acquire effective parenting strategies and long-lasting bonds with their children. 

The program aims to cultivate and instill confidence, belonging, and purpose by creating an enriching environment that cements our youth's attachment to Islam, their families, and their community.

How the Program Works

Dose of Deen employs Positive Youth Development (PYD), an intentional and pro-social approach, which provides a framework to develop young people and help them reach their fullest potential. Our program aims to strengthen Islamic foundations and good companionship within our youth, by connecting them to a trained Muslim mentor as well as other Muslim peers just like them. 

A youth’s connection to a spiritual mentor is pivotal as they grasp and fully embrace their faith. An impactful mentor aids in the development of positive and pious youth as they navigate the confusing and stressful adolescent years. The mentor guides his/her mentees toward spiritual and personal development, serves as a role model, and teaches Islamic and social concepts, skills, and behavior. Knowledge is needed for spiritual development and proper performance of good character and worship.

Mentorship aims to equip the student with practical skills that are usable immediately and needed for life. The mentor will educate students on their faith and the need to practice this knowledge by telling stories from the Quran and Seerah of the Prophet (SAW) as well as demonstrations of akhlaq (mannerism).

Program Goal

Development is manifested by an improvement in the child’s Islamic knowledge, behavior, and motivation to achieve. Mentors reinforce positive characteristics such as piety, modesty, humility, trustworthiness, wisdom, and self-correction. In Dose of Deen, we start with the prospect that young people need consistent opportunities for belonging, inspiration, and engagement that bring Islam to life with clear and comprehensive meaning - WITHOUT BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION.

A core aspect of our program is the belief that all youth have the potential for positive growth and the ability to develop into successful and healthy adults who are caring, responsible, and productive members of their society. Through this method, we are intentionally surrounding our youth with the following: 

        1. Life-long sustained relationships

        2. Positive social development & skill-building activities

        3. An Islamic education & environment

Unlike other traditional youth programs, we follow the prophetic model, which resists conceiving the developmental process mainly as an effort to overcome deficits and risks. While we recognize real risks and developmental challenges that may affect our children, we focus on their foundational needs and work to develop them. 

While we affirm and believe that guidance and success is solely by the will of Allah, we have designed this program with a vision of doing our part to achieve these impactful goals—a goal to educate and empower young people to become the leaders of tomorrow by putting them on a trajectory of success today!

PERCENTAGE OF YOUTH IN A MENTORSHIP PROGRAM ARE MORE LIKELY TO

Report a meaningful life: 69%

 

Trust adults who build relationships: 87%

Join extracurricular activities: 81%

Earn better grades: 59%

Enroll in college: 55%

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

For Mentors

  • Quarterly mentor training

  • Monthly mentor check-ins

Our mentors are trained and undergo a background check. They are matched to youth according to age, gender, and common interests.

For Parents/Guardians 

  • Parent/Guardian orientations 

  • Parent/Guardian workshops 

  • Monthly parent/guardian check-ins

For Mentees

  • Weekly learning circles

  • Weekly check-ins

  • Quarterly group outings

  • Quarterly civic engagement projects 

 

WE WANT TO EDUCATE & EMPOWER CHILDREN TO BECOME ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR FAITH!

 Change the Life of a Muslim Child!

    1. Spiritual & financial reward: This program allows mentors to have a paid position for their commitment and efforts. Besides the financial compensation, mentors can also reap continuous rewards for teaching someone Islamic principles and beliefs.

    2. Professional development: The mentor can gain valuable skills and experience in mentoring and improve their ability to communicate and connect with others. The provided training sessions and group activities will help further their expertise.

    3. Sense of fulfillment: The mentor can feel a sense of satisfaction by positively impacting the mentees' lives and helping them mature and strengthen their faith.

    4. Opportunity to give back: The mentor can give back to the community by investing time and energy in the development of young Muslim children. Their contributions will count toward benefiting the Muslim community and youth.

    5. Reflection & self-awareness: The mentor can reflect on their own life experiences and gain self-awareness by helping young adolescents navigate their own life experiences.

    6. Professional network: The mentor can expand their professional network by connecting with other mentors and mentees through participating in a mentor support group. There will be ongoing personal support and supervision to help the match succeed.

    1. Personal and spiritual growth: The mentee can receive guidance and support in their emotional and spiritual development and gain a deeper understanding of Islamic principles and practices.

    2. Networking Opportunities: The mentee can connect with other mentees and mentors, which can lead to valuable connections and potential opportunities for growth and advancement.

    3. Support & Guidance: The mentee can receive support and guidance from an experienced mentor who can provide valuable insights and advice.

    4. Improved Decision-Making: Through the advice and guidance provided by the mentor, the mentee can learn how to make better decisions and navigate challenges.

    5. Increased Self-Awareness: The mentee can better understand themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to use that knowledge to improve their lives and reach their goals.

    6. Enhanced social-emotional skills: Mentored preteens may exhibit improved emotional regulation, increased self-esteem, and better decision-making skills.

    7. Increased school engagement & Decreased behavioral problems: Mentored preteens may exhibit higher levels of participation in school activities and greater connectedness to their school community and fewer instances of disruptive behavior and disciplinary incidents.

The Word “Tarbiya”: Tarbiya is an Arabic word that linguistically means “increase, growth, and refinement.” Tarbiya means the development and training of people in various aspects. The word is commonly used to describe the upbringing of children as their parents provide them with physical, educational, moral, and spiritual needs to help them grow and become useful members of society.