The fact that local as well as national organizations and leaders will help source the attendees means we are doing grassroots capacity building for communities that need to engage the youth, and build a pipeline for leadership. 

Comprehensive training programs like this that encompass full professional and personal development for young adults is rare. Most work environments are remote; underemployment, isolation at work, uninformed or misinformed financial literacy, and the mental challenges of today’s divisive climate are not being addressed at churches, mosques, and temples. Our young adults are discombobulated, stressed, and confused - what is success and how do they get it?

In 2025, we know we must not only offer this program again, we must also expand this successful initiative in hybrid form to include civil right protections training, financial and economic empowerment, and professional habits of success. The outcomes this year will also include developing a network between the young adults to ensure they have ongoing resources and support. In 2025, we are scaling and deepening what we did in 2024, based on evidence and feedback. We believe this is replicable and in fact, we have been approached by several other cities and states to support them as they attempt to do this work; clearly Chicago is not the only city whose young adults are struggling. 

Three Fellows/Organizers and one intern will be trained to execute the programming and grow the young adults network. Their lived experiences will ensure empathy and partnership in the professional and personal growth of our program participants. 

Our lead sponsor is Chicago Community Trust. The Trust’s funding ensures the staffing and execution of this critical series of trainings and resources is successful and changes the trajectory of our young adult attendees’ personal, professional, and economic success.

The Gap/Opportunity:

This project is responding to the fact that developing programs that acknowledge and incorporate the experiences of both African American, African immigrant, and Asian, Refugee/ New American youth can foster more effective support systems - and lead to better outcomes for generations to come. 

• Only 3% of Muslim charitable giving goes to youth or civic organizations. This can be supplemented with grants from inclusive philanthropic initiatives that understand that safe and thriving communities of all backgrounds results in a safe and thriving America.

• Focus group shared that youth need peers and role models who understand their faith and lived experience. This is a critical space to lead education and support services 

• Most faith-based or civic programs ignore intersectional identities—Black and Brown and Muslim youth fall through the cracks. Providing initiatives that specifically target young adult training and supports can be incredibly impactful towards a healthy personal and professional life, and economic success.   

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This Muslim Civic Coalition collaborative project focuses on young adults during this time of great duress in our nation and our lives.  

Goals: 

1. Build a pipeline of young adults who are ready to take their civic leadership to the next level and train others. Data shows the best way to learn is to teach. Our organizers will get stronger as organizers as they facilitate the learning of young adult peers over the six month hybrid program.

2. Build a longer pipeline of future leaders and trainers for civic leadership by developing their professional and personal selves. The participants will access opportunities to grow their leadership outside of the program during and after the program’s six months. 

Outcomes:

1. Train the Trainers. Organizers and Fellows will become experts at community organizing, facilitation, and leadership.This is a train the trainers model for them.

2. Expertise. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding and application of personal and professional success; what it looks like, and how to keep moving towards it. 

3. Application. Attendees will have the courage to work towards justice and success. They will learn through journaling, public speaking, public writing, and discussions throughout the program. They will seek opportunities to apply their learning and be tracked for the six months after the program through mentor discussions and tracking forms.  

Peer Network. All involved will develop a network of peer coaches and a professional mentor to build a relationship with - the years ahead will not be any easier in today’s America.