as Muslims,
we often think
that our community
IS BEYOND
many of the everyday problems
that others are grappling with.
As a result, we fail to develop the resources
that can assist Muslims who are struggling
with very serious problems. One of these
problems relates to mental health.
The Bay Area Muslim Study:
Establishing Identity and
Community
FARID SENZAI
HATEM BAZIAN
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
One Nation Bay Area
Key Findings
1
LACK OF
BROAD VISION
AND PLANNING
“…lack of an integrated long-term plan for the
community, even though the number of successful
groups, organizations, and centers is constantly
increasing. Leaders admitted that strategic and
resource planning is needed in all areas, as the
existing community-wide framework has been
reactive, due to a negative operating environment,
rather than proactive and strategic.”
2
LEADERSHIP
CONCERNS AND
LIMITED RESOURCES
“A major overlooked challenge: limited professional
staff and the high reliance on volunteers present in
Muslim institutional settings. They also cited the
constant depletion of resources…”
Key Findings
3
LACK OF PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING
“More often than not, each immigrant group uses the organizing methods learned in, or
imported from, back home, all of which were developed within a special cultural, political,
and social setting. Once deployed in the United States, they have limited viability and are
non-transferable to the next generation… Basic skills… are a novelty for many institutions.
Considerable resources would be required to change this dynamic… We found little to no
evidence of training for non-profit staff. Furthermore there was very limited mention by
the participants, of basic activities such as regular retreats for setting institutional
agendas and establishing strategic goals and objectives.”
When the Muslim
non-profit sector is
SO ANEMIC,
why would anyone choose
to work in this sector?
There is no appreciation, no money and
no career opportunity.
—(Re)Presenting American Muslims: Broadening the Conversation
HOW DO WE
EQUIP PEOPLE
FOR A LIFE OF
SERVICE
?
HOW DO WE ENSURE THEY HAVE THE
RESOURCES, mentors and practical experience
necessary to benefit, grow, inspire and nurture
our community without burning out?
A C A D E M Y
A C A D E M Y
A unique hands-on training
experience providing community
care providers the practical tools
for a life of service.
A C A D E M Y
Building on Ta’leef’s existing
leadership in training with MMP.
A C A D E M Y
A more focused, expansive
offering to fit the growing needs
of a complex community.
PLANTING
intentional
community
5 areas of
REFINING
the core
FOCUS
CONVEYING
the message
CARING
for people
MASTERING
media
REFINING
the core
LEVEL 1
GOAL
Offered
3x per year
Introduce people to further learning opportunities &
community care basics by strengthening their
spiritual foundations, self-care practices, mental
health awareness & sharing Ta’leef hospitality.
Length
1 week
Repeats encouraged.
A prerequisite for further learning at Ta’leef Academy.
Audience
Open
Begins
February 2016
CONVEYING
the message
GOAL
The “residency” after a theological degree. Through
an on the ground practicum students will gain an
opportunity to apply Ta’leef’s approach to delivering
relevant content and connecting with people.
Students will learn new approaches to community
engagement & have an opportunity to lead
workshops and serve as student teachers.
This practicum will help content providers connect
better with their communities.
LEVEL 2
Offered
~1 per year
Length
6-16 weeks
Audience
Imams, Seminary Students,
Students of Knowledge…
Applications
Open
March 2016
CARING
for people
LEVEL 3
GOAL
Offered
3x per year
Build counseling triage & active listening abilities
while deepening the understanding of mental health
from a Muslim perspective.
Length
3 days/
1 year internship
Help teachers, social workers, psychologist &
concerned community members better serve. Help
imams, artists, and others understand their work in
relation to other care providers.
Opportunities for psychologists to gain supervised
hours towards licensing beginning in 2017.
Audience
Community care providers:
Teachers,
Imams,
Social workers,
Psychologists…
Begins
Q3 2016
PLANTING
intentional community
GOAL
An intensive 2 year consultancy that teaches teams
how to build Ta’leef where they are. Topics include
understanding community, de facto vs intentional
community, modern families, child care vs
programming for children, adult learning, the weekly
gathering, sustainability and more.
Includes building a team, 1-1 mentoring, on-site
training & more.
LEVEL 4
Offered
1 per year
Length
4 trainings/
2 years + 2 retreats +
Coaching
Audience
Teams, Nonprofit Boards,Mosque Leadership
Applications
Open
March 2016
MASTERING
media
LEVEL 5
GOAL
Offered
~1x per year
Building on the media strength and reach of Ta’leef to
support culturally relevant storytellers, artists &
producers.
Length
6-16 weeks
Focus 1: Strengthen cultural icons with spiritual
fortitude that will deepen the impact of their work.
Audience 1
Cultural Icons
Focus 2: Equip emerging talent with the technical
skills & cultural relevance.
Audience 2
Budding Media Professionals
Applications
Open
June 2016
MMP
Length
Audience
Focus
Alumni
Engagement
Format
Offered
(Old)
Ta’leef Academy
(New)
1 week intensive
Variable according to content
3 days – 2 years
General Audience
General Audience + Focused Content Streams
Wide Breadth of Introductory topics
Community Care, Spiritual Leadership,
Intentional Community, Media…
Monthly Call-in
Advanced Courses, Specialization, Practicums…
Classroom Focused
Classroom, Placements & In Situ
3 times per year
Level 1: 3x per year
Level 2: Multiple Intakes
MMP
Accreditation
Eligible for
Professional Training Allowances
Provision for
Families
Educational
Subsidies Available
(Old)
Ta’leef Academy
(New)
None
Counts towards degrees at Zaytuna College or Cambridge Muslim College
Options for provisional psychology hours
No
Yes*
No
Yes*
Yes*
Yes*
Content Providers
USAMA CANON
Co-founder Ta’leef Collective
MEG LYONS
Provisional Psychologist (2016)
MICAH ANDERSON Psychologist
IMAM ZAID SHAKIR
Co-founder, Zaytuna College
Chairman, Ta’leef Collective
MUSTAFA DAVIS
Co-founder Ta’leef Collective
OMAR YAQUB
ALIF Partners, Co-founder Tarjuma
FAROOQ MASEEHUDDIN
Masters in Education Co-founder Tarjuma
JENNIE POWE RUNDE
Clinical Supervisor