During the months of October and November, 2007, the Community Outreach Program (COP) in Chicago hosted a Youth Leadership Academy Program at Universal School in suburban Bridgeview, IL. Although housed on the grounds of the Mosque Foundation, Universal School is an independent private, parochial school which currently has an enrollment of 650students from Kindergarten - 12 grade. Students at Universal School are predominately Arab-Palestinian American and its school motto is "Where Islam and Education Come Together".

This FBI youth program was designed to promote an educational experience that would provide these students with a greater understanding of the FBI's mission. Through case presentations and hands-on experiences, the COP sought to further explain to this generation of students how the FBI addresses the concerns of the community we serve.

During the four week, twice-weekly program, the students were given presentations by Chicago Division Special Agents on specific topics of interest.  Working with Universal School's administration, the following topics were presented: Introduction to the FBI; Media Relations; Counter-Terrorism; Cyber Crimes Against Children; Civil Rights; Violent Crimes; the Evidence Response Team; and Recruitment Matters.

On Friday, November 16, 2007, 50 sophomore students graduated from the program. Their parents, teachers, school administrations, community and mosque leaders and FBI management attended the ceremony. This program opened a door of communicative opportunities and guarantees that there will be more interaction between the FBI and the Muslim community.

It should be noted that the Chicago COP hosted a junior Special Program, a character development program, at Universal School during Ramadan 2003.