Dar Us Sakina
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About Dar Us Sakina
Dar Us Sakina gives Houston Muslim families something that can be hard to find elsewhere: support that fits both disability needs and faith life. It offers adapted Islamic education, caregiver support, and adult services for children, teens, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For donors, the draw is simple, this is practical care that shows up in classrooms, support groups, and everyday family life.
What sets Dar Us Sakina apart is how specifically it serves Houston’s Muslim special needs community. Its programming meets people where they are, from Sunday school and teen life-skills sessions to adult day services, caregiver training, and community awareness.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Sakina Sunday School
Adapted Islamic education for children ages 5 to 14, with self-contained and inclusion tracks covering Islamic studies, Quran, Arabic, wudu, and salah at multiple Houston-area locations.
Teen and Adult Program (TAP)
A weekly life-skills program for special needs individuals age 15 and up, with monthly themes such as cooking, physical fitness, art, social skills, kitchen skills, home management, and money management.
Adult Day Program
A structured weekday program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities focused on independence, socialization, daily living skills, vocational training, Islamic studies, self-care, and community participation.
Power Moms, Power Dads, and Power Sibs support groups
Peer support groups for caregivers and siblings of individuals with special needs to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another.
Caregiver training and respite care
Monthly training opportunities for caregivers, including mental health workshops, parent advocacy seminars, and respite care during events.
Family events
Accessible, sensory-friendly community events for special needs families with accommodations, volunteer support, and opportunities for connection.
Zakat services
Crisis support for special needs Muslim families that can include emergency respite care, counseling, necessary evaluations, advocacy, and durable medical equipment.
Sakina Internship
A one-year internship for youth ages 18 and up who work one-on-one with students while receiving monthly training in fields such as speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, special education, ABA, and pediatrics.
Volunteer Enrichment Program
A two-year monthly commitment for students ages 13 to 17 who attend monthly events as peer buddies for special needs children and adults.
Youth inclusion training and community awareness
Training and workshops for Islamic schools, masajid, Scouts, and the wider community on disability awareness, inclusive etiquette, and early childhood intervention.
About this work
Mission
Dar-us-Sakina provides inclusive opportunities and resources to individuals with disabilities and their caregivers in the Muslim community of Houston.
Who they serve
Individuals with disabilities, especially children, teens, young adults, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, along with their caregivers and families in the Muslim community of Houston.
Their impact
- 581 special needs families registered
- 439 caregivers enrolled in support groups
- 108 special needs students enrolled in Islamic education
- 2,482 community members trained in disability awareness
- Average of 30 families per family workshop session
- 25 students served in the weekly 2-hour Teen & Adult pilot program
How your donation helps
- Emergency respite care
- Counseling
- Necessary evaluations
- Advocacy support
- Durable medical equipment
- Supplies for education and social programs
- Furniture and supplies for the Adult Day Program
- Event space, photography, catering, and security for events
- Trained staff and therapeutic activities
- Life-skills training and sensory equipment
- Renovations and furnishings for the Adult Day Program
Need help?
How someone in need can access Dar Us Sakina’s services.
Families can register for services through the website registration link or contact the relevant program emails for education, support, volunteering, or adult services. The organization serves individuals with disabilities and their caregivers in the Muslim community of the Greater Houston area.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
We finally have the positive attention we deserve, and Leena has a space where she can thrive.
Dar-us-Sakina became their safe haven.
We just felt so special right from the beginning.
What excites me most is that the Adult Day Program is something families have been waiting for.
The Special Needs community is not as mainstream as it should be, especially within the Muslim community. But DUS is changing that, one person at a time.
Grant support
$97,450 from 6 funders · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).
- Yaqub Family Foundation — $22,000 (2024)General & Unrestricted
- United Way of Greater Houston — $10,000 (2024)Capacity Building
- GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION — $7,250 (2024)EDUCATIONAL
- Rauf & Azeem Foundation Inc — $5,000 (2024)ZAKAT
- HAQUE FAMILY FOUNDATION — $5,000 (2024)PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY
- YOUSUF FAMILY FOUNDATION INC — $1,500 (2024)CHARITABLE
- Yaqub Family Foundation — $22,000 (2023)General & Unrestricted
- YOUSUF FAMILY FOUNDATION INC — $2,500 (2023)CHARITABLE
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Dar Us Sakina has shared.
Current needs
- Sponsorship to finish renovations and furnish the Adult Day Program
- Volunteers for weekly Adult Day Program support
- BCBA, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and special education consulting
- Leaders for Art, Cooking, and Physical Education classes in the Adult Day Program
- Event space, photography, catering, and security support for events
Volunteer opportunities
- Sakina Internship for youth ages 18 and up
- Volunteer Enrichment Program for students ages 13 to 17
- General Volunteer roles for ages 12 and up at events and field trips
- One-on-one student support during events
- Weekly volunteer support for the Adult Day Program
- Monthly training or consulting support from BCBA, SLP, OT, and special education professionals
Recognition & press
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What ages can join Sakina Sunday School?
Sakina Sunday School serves children ages 5 to 14, with both self-contained and inclusion tracks.
What does the Teen and Adult Program offer?
The Teen and Adult Program serves special needs individuals age 15 and up, with weekly life-skills support that includes cooking, fitness, art, social skills, kitchen skills, home management, and money management.
What support is available for caregivers?
Caregivers can join Power Moms, Power Dads, and Power Sibs support groups, attend monthly training sessions, and receive respite care during some events.
Who can volunteer or intern with Dar-us-Sakina?
The Volunteer Enrichment Program is for students ages 13 to 17, the Sakina Internship is for youth ages 18 and up, and General Volunteers can join from age 12 and up.
What does the Adult Day Program focus on?
The Adult Day Program supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through independence, socialization, daily living skills, vocational training, Islamic studies, self-care, and community participation.