We only have $1666 to go! Full total isn't reflected here, because we are also accounting for offline donations, but thanks to your help and incredible support, we are almost to our goal!
Help us build the next generation of Muslim-American leaders.
Growing up as a Muslim woman in the United States is hard. The clashing of religious doctrines, cultural beliefs and overwhelming influx of toxic media content fuels the ever-growing identity crisis Muslim youth face. Is it possible to be Muslim & American? How do we connect back to our cultural roots? Does the Muslim community have a place for me?
Young Muslims (Sisters) is the only grassroots, female-led youth organization in the country focused solely on empowering our girls with the space and tools to learn and grow. Our movement started in the late 90s and has evolved with the ever-changing challenges Muslim-American youth face.
We operate in 10 communities to strengthen our youth in Islam by developing young Muslim women into community leaders confident in their identities.
How exactly do we accomplish this?
Weekly NeighborNet meetings! Each of our locations, coined a NeighborNet, is founded on the following 3 tenants:
1. Sisterhood: Each NeighborNet provides a supportive network of high-school & college students engaging in recreational activities, events, & good eats. In a world where we spend 150+ hours a week as the odd-one-out, a YM NeighborNet provides a community of girls who understand one another & want to grow for the better- in a safe space of their own. Did we mention all of our NeighborNets meet in a local Masjid?
2. Spiritual Development: In addition to recreational activities, each weekly meeting is built around a halaqah (discussion) led by one of our members on an Islamic topic relevant to her. This unique peer-to-peer discussion provides a safe platform for our youth to discuss real issues in a safe environment and together grow as Muslims for the sake of Allah.
3. Leadership Opportunities: Every one of our NeighborNets, events & initiatives (including this fundraising campaign) is 100% organized and executed by YM members. Through this unique organizational structure, we instill key interpersonal, public speaking and organizational skills in our members that will benefit them in their personal and professional lives for years to come.
Our Impact
In 2019 alone, we:
- Hosted 445+ NeighborNet events across the state
- Engaged an average of 5,020+ youth attendees in our events
- Expanded into 3 new communities (Morris County, South Brunswick & Woodbridge)
- Launched 3 Study Circles (Islamic Literacy classes) in North, Central & South Jersey for the spiritual development of our leadership & members
- Hosted 4 state-wide events attracting YM members & leadership from all locations
During the coronavirus pandemic, we have hosted 55 virtual halaqahs (within the past month alone) and collaborated with our national board, local organizations & community leaders to provide supportive programming for our youth during these times. We have incredible plans for an online-Ramadan, including virtual qiyaams, anonymous Q&As, Quran challenges & more in addition to our weekly NeighborNet programming.
We need your help.
Every Ramadan, each NeighborNet raises funds at their local Masjid/Community Center during iftar/Taraweeh prayers. Unfortunately with the COVID-19 lockdown, our NeighborNets have no place to fundraise, so we have turned to a joint, state-wide effort to raise $10,000 to cover our organizational expenses for the remainder of the year. This money would be distributed directly to our NeighborNets and fuel the work that is being done on the ground.
Our goals for 2020 are vast (like establishing NeighborNets & Study Circles in 3 more communities, hosting 2 state-wide events, and growing each NeighborNet's attendance by at least 15%) but we need your support in empowering our cause and uplifting an entire generation of forgotten Muslim youth.
Every dollar donated will touch a heart, change a life and inspire the next community leader. This Ramadan, empower a generation of women to change themselves and the world around them for the better.
Help us build the next generation of Muslim-American leaders.
Growing up as a Muslim woman in the United States is hard. The clashing of religious doctrines, cultural beliefs and overwhelming influx of toxic media content fuels the ever-growing identity crisis Muslim youth face. Is it possible to be Muslim & American? How do we connect back to our cultural roots? Does the Muslim community have a place for me?
Young Muslims (Sisters) is the only grassroots, female-led youth organization in the country focused solely on empowering our girls with the space and tools to learn and grow. Our movement started in the late 90s and has evolved with the ever-changing challenges Muslim-American youth face.
We operate in 10 communities to strengthen our youth in Islam by developing young Muslim women into community leaders confident in their identities.
How exactly do we accomplish this?
Weekly NeighborNet meetings! Each of our locations, coined a NeighborNet, is founded on the following 3 tenants:
1. Sisterhood: Each NeighborNet provides a supportive network of high-school & college students engaging in recreational activities, events, & good eats. In a world where we spend 150+ hours a week as the odd-one-out, a YM NeighborNet provides a community of girls who understand one another & want to grow for the better- in a safe space of their own. Did we mention all of our NeighborNets meet in a local Masjid?
2. Spiritual Development: In addition to recreational activities, each weekly meeting is built around a halaqah (discussion) led by one of our members on an Islamic topic relevant to her. This unique peer-to-peer discussion provides a safe platform for our youth to discuss real issues in a safe environment and together grow as Muslims for the sake of Allah.
3. Leadership Opportunities: Every one of our NeighborNets, events & initiatives (including this fundraising campaign) is 100% organized and executed by YM members. Through this unique organizational structure, we instill key interpersonal, public speaking and organizational skills in our members that will benefit them in their personal and professional lives for years to come.
Our Impact
In 2019 alone, we:
- Hosted 445+ NeighborNet events across the state
- Engaged an average of 5,020+ youth attendees in our events
- Expanded into 3 new communities (Morris County, South Brunswick & Woodbridge)
- Launched 3 Study Circles (Islamic Literacy classes) in North, Central & South Jersey for the spiritual development of our leadership & members
- Hosted 4 state-wide events attracting YM members & leadership from all locations
During the coronavirus pandemic, we have hosted 55 virtual halaqahs (within the past month alone) and collaborated with our national board, local organizations & community leaders to provide supportive programming for our youth during these times. We have incredible plans for an online-Ramadan, including virtual qiyaams, anonymous Q&As, Quran challenges & more in addition to our weekly NeighborNet programming.
We need your help.
Every Ramadan, each NeighborNet raises funds at their local Masjid/Community Center during iftar/Taraweeh prayers. Unfortunately with the COVID-19 lockdown, our NeighborNets have no place to fundraise, so we have turned to a joint, state-wide effort to raise $10,000 to cover our organizational expenses for the remainder of the year. This money would be distributed directly to our NeighborNets and fuel the work that is being done on the ground.
Our goals for 2020 are vast (like establishing NeighborNets & Study Circles in 3 more communities, hosting 2 state-wide events, and growing each NeighborNet's attendance by at least 15%) but we need your support in empowering our cause and uplifting an entire generation of forgotten Muslim youth.
Every dollar donated will touch a heart, change a life and inspire the next community leader. This Ramadan, empower a generation of women to change themselves and the world around them for the better.