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YPSD stands for Youth Programming and Services Department, the new name of what used to be called Youth Department. The new name is more reflective of the objectives and the mission of this department. It also reflects our understanding of the needs of youth work in North America. While communities will always welcome events-kind of programs, the real need is for Youth Programming and Services rather than Youth Events.
Islamic centers are always short of qualified youth workers and directors. Youth workers are always in need of guidance and training. Parents are in continuous search for means that will enable them understand their children's needs and their rapidly changing culture. Non-Islamic organizations are constantly seeking better understanding of Muslim American's youth needs so that they can serve this rapidly growing segment of American Youth.
YPSD was established to address these needs in a systematic and institutionalized approach based on research and knowledge that are deeply rooted in the Islamic tradition of Tarbiyah (an Arabic word that means gradual growth, usually refers to the science of character development) and Youth Development body of research.
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