About Us
MA’RUF is a Muslim non-profit organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin dedicated to improving the quality of life among Milwaukee’s most disenfranchised and marginalized communities. Established in 2008 by a multi-disciplinary team of young professionals, MA’RUF has expanded nationally, inspiring hundreds of volunteers and community leaders to partake in its evidence-based programs—from fighting hunger and homelessness to building families by developing strong, successful role models in the most vulnerable communities.
Jesse Rosales, Director
Ricardo Brooks,MBA, Business Manager
Nazir Al-Mujaahid, Director of Outreach
Our Team
Samuel DeMarco, MPA,CNP, Grants Manager
Abdirahman Ali Mohamed, Administrative Assistant
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Aamer Ahmed, Maruf [Chairman]
Selemani Tuli, Maruf [Treasurer]
Hadj Ba, Maruf
Isa Sadlon, MIDC
Sean Wilson, ACLU Wisconsin
Mir Basir, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin/ Children's Hospital
Sumayyah Clark, Milwaukee Dept of Health & Human Services
Rafat Arain, Crescent Academy
Will Perry, Ibrahim House/ MIDC
THE MA'RUF YOUTH
COUNCIL
Sumayyah Al-Mujaahid, Co-President
Abdirahman Ali Mohamed, Co-President
Abdi Mursal, Public Relations Director
Maluwa Lugazo, Finance Director
Taha Khan, Secretary
OUR VISION
Many families lack the means to attain a college education, placing their children at a higher risk of continuing the cycle. Ma’ruf yearns to prepare young students in Milwaukee to be competitive in our changing economic landscape. Our program aims to create tangible visions through experiential learning, develop career pathways and coach youth through their finish line.
Our vision is to be the most sought-after community transformation model regionally through empowering youth and their families.
OUR MODEL
We believe that knowledge is power—but for our youth, knowledge that can be seen and touched is even more powerful. MA’RUF is seeking to transform the way we deliver knowledge to youth by creating tangible, practical pathways to reach their dreams. Our three-prong strategy was designed to build cohorts of youth role models:
1.Vision: Physically show career pathways. Establish life milestones including career goals. Craft a stepped action plan.
2.Experience: Provide experiential learning opportunities including job shadowing.
3.Coaching: Pair youth with young professional in desired field to serve as mentor and coach through action plan.