About Us

The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) has been serving the community for 39 years, and is proud to be one of the nation’s premier Arab American organizations.  Started by a group of volunteers in 1971 out of a storefront in Dearborn’s impoverished south end, ACCESS was created to assist the Arab immigrant population adapt to life in America.
In 2008, ACCESS was honored by the Kellogg Foundation for outstanding commitment to the communities through our efforts to breakdown barriers of communication and cultural differences.	Now, with seven locations and over 90 programs, ACCESS offers a plethora of services to a diverse population, regardless of ethnicity.  It is ACCESS’ mission to advocate for and empower individuals, ramilies and communities.
Our Vision for the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) is to be an organization of people who are dedicated to empowering and enabling individuals, families, and communities to lead informed, productive, culturally sensitive, and fulfilling lives. We see ACCESS as a vibrant organization that honors its Arab American heritage while serving as a non-profit model of excellence as a social  service agency.  We see ACCESS as an organization dedicated to the support of community building, actively focused on service to those in need within the broader community, to newly arrived  immigrants, and as a strong advocate for cultural and social entrepreneurship, as well as the values of community service, healthy lifestyles, education, and philanthropy. The services ACCESS provides have reached beyond the local level, and ACCESS has become a truly national organization.  Through initiatives like the Arab American National Museum (AANM), the National Network of Arab American Communities (NNAAC), and the Center for Arab American Philanthropy, ACCESS serves all Americans.  To learn more about us, read our history.  ACCESS strength rests with the strength of our community - both individually and collectively.  We are only able to aid those in need, advocate for fair treatment, and celebrate our cultures with the generosity of our supporters.  Find out more about how you can help us change lives today, and build a legacy for tomorrow.