Youth Rite of Passage
Mahdi is passionate about educating and training boys for the responsibilities of manhood. He directs a Manhood Education and Training Initiative for boys ranging in ages 8-18. Emphasis is on developing hands-on carpentry and building skills, cultural awareness, asset and liability awareness, attitude transformation, social, personal, professional and family relationships; finances, farming and gardening, homeownership, martial arts, public speaking, strengthening family bonds, health and hygiene, understanding the court system and much more.
Young male teens participating in the Youth Education and Training Initiative volunteered one Saturday at the Bustani community garden, owned and managed by Dionne Ferguson, Director of Good Journey Development Foundation. The teens learned vital life skills about urban gardening.