Youth Leadership & Mentorship
Iraqi youth in Austin, Texas face a unique set of challenges. While many are striving to succeed academically and professionally, they often lack access to culturally relevant leadership development opportunities and role models who understand their background. Language barriers, identity struggles, generational gaps, and limited exposure to civic engagement further isolate Iraqi youth from realizing their full potential. Existing youth programs in the area often do not reflect or address the experiences of Arab, Middle Eastern, or refugee-background communities, leaving a gap in mentorship and leadership opportunities.
Many young Iraqis are also navigating the tension between maintaining cultural heritage and integrating into broader American society. They need support systems that affirm their identity, build confidence, and connect them with mentors who can guide them personally, professionally, and culturally.
We envision a future where Iraqi youth in Austin are confident, engaged, and empowered leaders who:
- Embrace and celebrate their cultural identity with pride.
- Develop strong leadership, communication, and civic skills.
- Access mentorship and networks that support their academic, career, and personal goals.
- Represent the Iraqi community in broader civic, educational, and cultural spaces.
- Mentor the next generation, creating a cycle of empowerment and leadership.
Our long-term goal is to build a strong pipeline of Iraqi American youth leaders who will shape their communities with resilience, vision, and pride in their heritage.
How We’ll Get There (Our Approach)
Community-Based Leadership Development: Launch youth leadership workshops, retreats, and speaker events focused on personal development, public speaking, team building, and project planning. Include modules on cultural pride, storytelling, and heritage preservation to empower youth through identity-based leadership.
Mentorship Program: Pair Iraqi youth with mentors from the Iraqi American professional community across fields such as education, healthcare, tech, arts, and public service. Mentors will guide mentees through personal, educational, and career journeys, fostering lasting intergenerational relationships.
Youth Advisory Council: Establish a Youth Advisory Council to give young people a voice in shaping Shako Mako’s youth programs. Youth will design projects, lead initiatives, and represent their peers in community events, developing real-world leadership skills.
Educational & Career Support: Offer college readiness workshops, scholarship navigation, resume building, and interview skills training tailored to first-generation students. Partner with local institutions and businesses to provide internship and job shadowing opportunities.
Cultural & Civic Engagement: Organize service projects, advocacy training, and cultural exchange events that integrate youth into both the Iraqi and broader Austin communities. Create opportunities for youth to participate in city events, multicultural festivals, and public forums as representatives of the Iraqi American experience.
Safe & Inclusive Spaces: Create safe spaces for youth to talk about identity, mental health, and integration struggles with peers and trained facilitators. Use arts, storytelling, and community circles to build trust, self-awareness, and mutual respect.
Short-Term Expected Outcomes
- Increased youth participation in mentorship and leadership programs.
- Strengthened identity, confidence, and community connection.
- New skills in communication, goal-setting, and civic involvement.
Long-Term Expected Outcomes
- A growing network of Iraqi youth leaders serving as mentors, role models, and changemakers.
- A thriving, visible, and integrated Iraqi American youth presence in Austin’s civic and cultural life.
- Intergenerational resilience and a renewed sense of belonging and pride in Iraqi heritage.