Sister-to-Sister

Mentoring Program

Registration is CLOSED

The goal of this program is to facilitate mentoring relationships (among Muslim women) that empower women to grow towards their life goals (educational, financial, or spiritual goals).

The time commitment for mentees is about 1 hour per week for eight weeks. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/mccs2sfaq. We will not share your information from this form with anyone other than the assigned mentor/mentee.

This track will run from Sunday, September 22 to Sunday, November 17. Please email sisters@mccmd.org if you have any other questions! Please allow about 10-15 minutes to complete the form.

Everyone could benefit from fresh insights and advice from someone who is outside of our normal life. The Sister-to-Sister (s2s) Mentoring program aims to create this opportunity for achieving personal goals through one-on-one mentoring between Muslim Sisters. We hope that this program will enable you to cultivate relationships that increase confidence, self-sufficiency, and connection with the community.

We are strongly committed to being inclusive of Muslim women from all walks of life, and we believe that every woman has the potential to add value to another's life, irrespective of educational achievement and life circumstances.

The Muslim Sisters Alliance is the sisters group of the Muslim Community Center (MCC) in Silver Spring, MD. While we welcome mentoring applications from Muslim sisters anywhere, we will prioritize mentors and mentees from within the MCC Community to have the greatest local impact.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Virtual semi-structured program
Training on successful mentoring relationships
One-on-one mentoring for eight weeks
Opportunities to participate in other ongoing events organized by us (e.g., positive body image, financial planning)
Assurance of confidentiality
Opportunities for socialization with other mentor-mentee pairs (depending on how the pandemic unfolds)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

WHO CAN BE A MENTEE?

Identify as a Muslim woman, 15 years or older
Be ready to listen, ask questions, share ideas and have a desire for growth
Commit to a minimum of 1 hour per week for 8 weeks (communication via phone/Facetime/Zoom )
Have parental/guardian permission and ongoing support for participation (for those who are under 18 years)
Communicate promptly and clearly with mentor/program coordinator if there are challenges
Be willing to adhere to all s2s policies and procedures

WHO CAN BE A MENTOR?

Identify as a Muslim woman who is 21 years or older (eligibility of 18 – 20 year old applicants will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and mentors in this age group will have more oversight from a program coordinator)
Commit to a minimum of 1 hour per week for 8 weeks (communication via phone/Facetime/Zoom )
Be ready with a listening ear, advice, ideas, experiences to impact the life of a mentee
Communicate promptly and clearly with mentee and program coordinator if there are challenges
Be willing to adhere to all s2s policies and procedures
Be willing to provide a contact for character reference

NOT SURE IF MENTORING IS FOR YOU?

It does not matter if you have not served as a mentor before. There is always a first time!

We believe that every woman has something unique and special to offer to others.

We will provide mentoring resources and guidelines at our program meeting.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

This is a semi-structured program (there will be some structure, and room for individual flexibility)

The first step is to fill out the registration form.

The program coordinator will review your information, make the best possible match, and communicate with you.

You may then contact your mentor/mentee

You are required to attend a training session (contact the program coordinator for alternate training if you are unable to make it to this session)

Mentors and mentee pairs will meet at a mutually convenient time to discuss goals, outcomes and other logistics

Mentor and mentee pairs will follow the schedule they set for themselves and communicate promptly if there are life changes that require schedule adjustments

The program will conclude with a social event (virtual or in person, depending on the pandemic situation)

IS THERE A COST?

No, this program is free. And we are extremely appreciative of all our mentors who are volunteering their time for this.

WHAT IF I WANT TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK OR COMMENTARY?

You can email us at sisters@mccmd.org

CAN I BE A MENTOR AND MENTEE AT THE SAME TIME?

Yes. Your time commitment will be twice as much!

CAN I HELP AS A MENTOR EVEN IF I CANT COMMIT FOR 8 WEEKS?

Yes! As long as you meet the other criteria to be mentor (see Who can be a Mentor? above)

You can sign up to be an ad-hoc mentor, who helps on an as-needed basis with specific tasks (e.g., resume writing, interview coaching, locating job opportunities, setting up networking, listening, providing profession specific tips, etc.)