NISWA
(Non-profit Social Organization)
MUSLIM FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES
P.O. Box 1403
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 782-2482

NISWA'S MISSION AND HISTORY

NISWA's mission is to preserve and strengthen Muslim families, to protect the rights of Muslim children by working for their welfare, aid needy individuals, and increase awareness of family laws and environmental pressures that impinge on the family.

NISWA provides counseling, referrals, moral support, and information.

NISWA was established in December of 1990 as a non-profit charitable organization to address the social welfare needs of the Muslim community.

Accomplishments

Provided financial aid and other resources to Bosnian refugees in their resettlement.

Provided support to many women for shelter, food, and legal aid.

Provided numerous hours of counseling by phone and in person.

Provided legal immigration guidance to many women and their families.

Acted as a resource for language and cultural counseling to mainstream welfare agencies.

Provided aid internationally to people in countries facing war and natural disasters.

Provided food for the needy during the holy month of Ramadan.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER

Goals

• Prevent domestic violence.

• Aid victims of abuse by providing supportive services and programs designed to break the cycle of violence.

• Reduce the effects of domestic violence through education and advocacy.

• Provide intervention and referral services.

• Provide shelter for battered women and their children.

Developments

In 1991, NISWA opened a "Helpline" to provide counseling support and resource referrals.  Countless calls are made to the helpline daily.  In addition, NISWA established a shelter for Muslim battered women in 1996.  Since then, the shelter has housed many women and their children, providing them with counseling, and job placement.  Through active cooperation with state and county agencies, NISWA has gained recognition and respect within the mental health and social welfare fields.

• NISWA's shelter specifically serves victims of physical, emotional, and mental abuse.

• The shelter is not a drug and alcohol recovery center.

• Referrals and resources are provided for all individuals in need.

FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION

Goals

• Certify families and place all current and future foster Muslim children in licensed Muslim homes.

• Inform and educate the community about Foster Care and Legal Guardianship (adoption) through presentations, brochures, advertisements, and visual media.

• Provide information and resources to the Department of Children and Family Services; Liaison between community and DCFS.

• Provide information and resources to couples who want to adopt Muslim children worldwide.

Developments

Certified and enrolled families in the foster care program.

Placed Muslim children successfully in licensed Muslim homes.

Held meetings and conducted presentations at a variety of locations to discuss Foster Care for Muslims.

Produced a video tape through Islamic Information Services about our Foster Care Program which was aired on television in several major cities.

Liaison with County Social Workers in regard to Muslim children in the foster care and adoption system.

YOUTH PROGRAM

Goals

• Provide teens with an opportunity to talk with peers and a guidance counselor about their concerns, peer pressures, family issues and coping skills (one hour a week meeting).

• Provide a forum for the discussion of religious issues, ideas, and the relationship to daily life.

• Educate youth and their families and increase communication, about issues including growing up in America.

• Provide a personal growth experience by participating in a day outing to further develop qualities of teamwork, self reliance, persistence, and self-esteem at the end of the 10 week sessions.

• Establish an informal source of crisis management.

• Establish a mentoring program.

Developments

"Youth Circle" is the newest program to be initiated.  It differs from other youth groups in that it offers education and guidance focusing on youth issues in a small, intimate group session.

SENIOR CITIZENS PROGRAM

Goals

• Improve the quality of life for Senior Citizens in our community by providing social interaction and community involvement.

• "Acquire property to house Senior Citizens who would otherwise be served in mainstream facilities which are unable to meet the cultural and religious requirements."

• Attend training sessions for Senior Citizens provided by the County.

• Establish a Senior Citizens day program to meet religious and emotional needs and educate seniors on nutrition and aging.

• Provide information and counseling to seniors and their families.

Developments

Several meetings have taken place to assess senior needs and to foster the development of a day program.

A van was donated to NISWA to provide transportation for seniors to and from the program.

Established a helpline for seniors.