Big News: ACCESS is a Top Workplace of 2021!
We are honored to share that ACCESS has been recognized and awarded as #58 of Michigan’s Top Workplaces of 2021 by the Detroit Free Press, joining a list of 174 Michigan-based organizations to be recognized with this honor. That means ACCESS is in the top 35 percent!
In our 50 years of service, our vision and mission have extended across our entire community, including our clients and our staff. We look forward to continuing to provide excellent service and upholding our foundational commitment to community in the work that we do for years to come. To learn more about Michigan's Top Workplaces, watch this video.
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Congratulations to our Newly Appointed
President and CEO, Maha Freij!
We send an enthusiastic congratulations to ACCESS' new President and CEO, community leader and lifelong activist, Maha Freij on her selection by Crain's Detroit Business as a 2021 100 Most Influential Women designee.
"It is truly an honor and privilege to be selected as one of Crain's 100 Most Influential Women," says Maha. “I am incredibly humbled to be part of a cohort of such extraordinary leaders, all of whom are respected innovators, trailblazers and visionaries in their respective fields."
Check out the Crain's feature here.
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ACCESS Summer Youth Program, 1996
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Celebrating 50 Years
To mark our 50 years of service, included here in this newsletter is our 50th Anniversary logo created to recognize this tremendous milestone for our organization.
In 1971, ACCESS was born out of a small storefront in Dearborn led by a group of passionate and dedicated volunteers who wanted to support Arab immigrants in adapting to life in the US and who also wanted to establish a thriving and empowered Arab community.
As we reflect back on our humble beginnings, we'd like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the vision and the work of those volunteers and all of our leaders, staff, and community members that came after who have helped see that vision through and bring us to where we are today: the nation’s largest Arab American community nonprofit rooted in our vision of a just and equitable society with the full participation of Arab Americans. Through our regional programming and three national institutions — the Arab American National Museum (AANM), the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) and the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) — we look forward to empowering the Arab American community for years to come.
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Your Input is Needed!
The Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP), one of ACCESS' national institutions and the only Arab American community foundation in the country, is excited to share that they are currently conducting a national research survey that explores Arab American giving!
If you engage in any of the following activities and identify as Arab American, please consider taking this survey:
- Volunteering in your local community or on your college campus
- Donating on a regular basis or when asked to
- Serving on a board or committee
- Engaging in philanthropic and strategic giving opportunities
- Advocating for human rights and social justice
It should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes of your time and is completely confidential. By participating in this survey, you will be helping to uplift Arab American giving and build a body of research on the rich history of Arab American philanthropy.
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ACCESS Distributes Turkeys to Families in Need
We'd like to thank Forgotten Harvest, Total Health Care Foundation, Krista Poole, American Independent Pharmacy, Comerica Bank, Greenland Market Keller Williams Legacy, volunteers from the Attorney General’s Office, and last but certainly not least, our wonderful ACCESS staff community members who made our Turkey drive possible. Whether it was through direct support, turkey donations, discounted pricing, or volunteering, everyone involved was able to help families in need by distributing over 1,600 turkeys, chickens and household items (backpacks, school supplies and warm, fuzzy blankets!) We hope the extra support helped make this season special for you and your family.
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Learn About Some of our Free Services
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COVID-19 Vaccinations
We're offering vaccinations and boosters at 6450 Maple St, Dearborn on a walk-in basis. Anyone 5+ is welcome to visit our clinic during regular business hours, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (with the exception of 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.), Monday-Friday (anyone 17 or younger must have a parent/guardian present). Pfizer vaccinations are available daily and Moderna vaccinations are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 313-216-2230 with any questions.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to get our community back to normal life. View our webinar, Debunking COVID-19 Vaccine Myths, to help you make the best decision for you and your family. We also recommend learning more about booster doses here.
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Food Pantry
1 - 4 p.m., Wednesdays
Visit ACCESS Sterling Heights Center for free, supplemental groceries. All are welcome to collect items like ground beef, rice, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, nuts and oil.
- ACCESS Sterling Heights Center, 4301 E. 14 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights MI 48310
- Call (586) 722-6036 to schedule an alternative pick up time
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ACCESS' National Institutions and Campaigns
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Arab American National Museum (AANM)
AANM invites Dearborn/Detroit-area high school students to apply for the AANM Writing Fellows program, a creative writing fellowship opportunity. Applications are due by January 9, 2022. Up to 25 students will be selected for the program. No creative writing experience is necessary!
Help support AANM's mission to tell the Arab American story and bring innovative arts and cultural programming to the community.
Follow AANM on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP)
Lebanon Relief Project, which houses a fund at CAAP, has recently landed a cargo airlift of 25 pallets of critically needed pharmaceuticals and PPE's in Beirut. The supplies will be delivered to 17 hospitals and clinics across Lebanon that are struggling to access resources for their patients. In this interview, Manal Saab, Founder of the Lebanon Relief Project, speaks about the most recent shipment of supplies to the devastated country.
Learn about giving opportunities through CAAP. Follow CAAP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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National Network of Arab American Communities (NNAAC)
The National Network of Arab American Communities proudly hosted its 2021 Convening, with 19 NNAAC members from across the nation coming together to engage, learn about and imagine the future of advocacy, civic engagement and arts and culture.
Follow NNAAC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to be the first to learn about updates regarding this webinar series.
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ACCESS' Campaign to TAKE ON HATE (TOH)
ACCESS' Campaign to TAKE ON HATE addresses bigotry and discrimination, particularly toward Arab and Muslim Americans, and stands against hate toward all people.
Follow TOH on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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