ACCESS E-Weekly News

February 3, 2010

Kresge Community Arts Program Calls for Applications with $100,000 in Grant Funding Available for Projects

The Michigan-based Kresge Foundation is calling for applications for year two of Kresge Community Arts, a national community arts and engagement project being piloted in five cities: St. Louis, Mo.; Baltimore, Md.; Tucson, Ariz.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Michigan’s Detroit-Hamtramck-Highland Park area. It is designed to test Kresge's belief that grassroots arts and cultural projects can be an effective tool to address pressing social issues. Southeast Michigan grant seekers may attend free informational sessions on February 8 or 22; grant seekers in the pilot project cities are encouraged to click here for complete details.

Sponsorships Available for ACCESS 39^th Anniversary Dinner

When ACCESS was formed in 1971, we had the passion and drive to help our community, but few resources. Almost 40 years later, ACCESS has accomplished more than we ever imagined. Please join us at the ACCESS 39th Anniversary Dinner on May 1, 2010, to celebrate our incredible journey and learn about our future.

In the past four decades, thousands of southeast Michigan residents have benefited from our services. Today’s uncertain economy means thousands more will visit us in 2010. Your support makes it possible for ACCESS to offer more than 90 programs in health care and research, employment and training, youth and education, social services, immigration and more.

The annual ACCESS dinner is a special night, attended by local, state and national officials, business, labor and community leaders, and about 2,500 benefactors and friends of the largest Arab American community in the nation. Sponsorship is now available for the 39^th Anniversary Dinner at various levels. Please be a part of it. With you by our side, the best is yet to come for ACCESS and our clients.  Download the sponsorship form here or contact Rose Assi at rasi@accesscommunity.org or 313-842-4749.

ACCESS 21ST CCLC Brings Detroit Author to Students

Last week, the children of ACCESS’ 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) got a special treat when a local Detroit author came to visit River Oaks Elementary School.  Jean Alicia Elster, author of the novel Who’s Jim Hines?, spoke with students about the writing process as well as the inspiration for her books along with a reading of her book.

Who’s Jim Hines?, was selected as one of  the Library of Michigan Notable Books.  It’s also nominated for the Great Lakes Great Book Award and is a finalist in the ForeWord Magazine 2008 Book of the Year Award.

The 21st CCLC is an academic enrichment after-school program that enables students to achieve their highest academic potential. The 21st CCLC aims to provide an educational atmosphere that will motivate, educate and challenge each student to achieve his or her highest potential.  In addition to tutoring and teaching core subject material, it incorporates character education, recreational activities, and goal development to create well-rounded individuals.  Each center maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio, which allows for high quality adult-student interaction.

YouthVille Seeks Students for New Broadcast Journalism Program

YouthVille Detroit, the Detroit Regional News Hub, ARISE Detroit!, Michigan’s Children and ACCESS are excited to announce a new journalism project for young people in the Detroit metro area. Students ages 11-19 interested in reporting, writing, directing or producing news that will air on local radio, television and Web sites can audition from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. this Saturday, February 6, at YouthVille, 7375 Woodward, Detroit. The broadcast program will be based at YouthVille, so some form of transportation is necessary.

Students who want to be on the air are encouraged to bring a non-returnable headshot photo, and all students should bring a resume. Previous journalism experience is not required. Everyone who auditions will get a free one-year membership to YouthVille, which provides tutoring, homework assistance and ACT and college preparation. For more information, call 313-309-1300 or email mediaoperations@youthvilledetroit.org.

Stay tuned for more details about the print and photo journalism components of the program, coming later this spring. 

Community Leaders Learn About the U.S. Census at ACCESS Event

About 40 representatives from organizations throughout metro Detroit attended a Census Training session January 28 in Detroit hosted by ACCESS. The session offered information and tips on how participants can ensure a complete count in their communities.

ACCESS COO Dr. John Artis opened the event with comments about the importance of the 2010 Census, reminding participants that it determines the distribution of federal funding to communities, as well as government representation. Staff from the Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights, based in Washington, D.C., attended to facilitate many of the sessions, including getting the community involved in the Census and what tools and resources are available. U.S. Census Bureau representatives spoke with participants about the mechanics and timeline of the Census, and answered questions. 

ACCESS looks forward to working with local organizations and community members to ensure everyone gets counted in the Census, which begins April 1.  For more information on the Census, or how to get involved, please contact Rachid Elabed at 734-652-3303 or email  relabed@accesscommunity.org.    

Arab Americans Can Support Haiti through CAAP

As you know, Haiti was hit by a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12. The response from around the world to help the Haitians has been heartwarming. Yet, because of the unprecedented impact of the quake, there is still much to be done. This disaster calls for philanthropy, both for immediate rescue support and long-term rebuilding of the region.

As a service to the Arab American donor community, the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) researched various humanitarian relief organizations currently addressing Haiti’s needs and are highlighting six that we feel are meeting the most critical survival issues: American Red Cross, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Corps, and Oxfam America. Click here for more information on these organizations.

CAAP is a national program that harnesses the collective power of Arab American giving to strengthen the voice of our community. During this time of crisis in Haiti, Arab Americans can choose to give together through CAAP. By pooling your funds with other generous Arab American donors, you strengthen your contribution, making a larger and more effective impact. You are recognized as an Arab American donor, while collectively supporting the people of Haiti.

If you are interested in donating, we suggest using CAAP’s free donor-advised services by contributing online to CAAP and designating a recipient humanitarian relief organization. CAAP will forward the full amount in your name to the organization of your choice. Or, if you don’t wish to designate the recipient organization, allow CAAP to make the selection in your name.

Center for Arab American Philanthropy Accepting Proposals for Grants Up to $10,000

The Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) announces its 2010 Request for Proposals for organizations serving the Arab American community nationwide.  CAAP will award grants of up to $10,000 each. Organizations can apply for capacity-building support or program support in the areas of art, culture, or youth. This will be the second round of grantmaking conducted by CAAP, the only national Arab American philanthropy program in the United States.

“CAAP understands the current realities facing Arab American community organizations. The need for capacity-building and program support is crucial now more than ever, and we look forward to supporting this growth through our second round of grantmaking,” said Jamie Kim, CAAP Director.  “It is with these grants that we can help Arab American organizations increase their upward mobility and capacity to better serve the Arab American community across the nation.”

Last year, CAAP awarded grants totaling $73,900 to 16 Arab American organizations. For more information and applications, visit www.centeraap.org.

ACCESS Seeks Director for National Outreach Department

Do you have a master’s degree in nonprofit management or a relevant humanities subject? Are you an exceptional manager with a passion for community organizing? ACCESS is searching for a new director for our National Outreach Department. In addition to a   graduate degree, successful applicants will have at least four years of leadership and managerial experience, as well as strong oral and written communication skills and grant writing experience. The director’s duties include but are not limited to providing leadership for National Outreach and the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC); developing strategy on the local, state and national levels; fund raising and grant writing for National Outreach and NNAAC; and coordinating communication efforts around national initiatives.

For more about the position, please visit our Web site at www.accesscommunity.org and click on the Careers tab, or contact Human Resources Manager Moe Hussein at 313-583-3355. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online through our Web site or send a resume and cover letter to HRDEPT@accesscommunity.org or mhussein@accesscommunity.org.

Debkeh Dance Classes Begin for Children & Adults

It’s fun, easy, great exercise and requires no partner! Learn the traditional folk dance of the Levant and other Arab World nations - the Debkeh, a dance of community often performed at weddings and other joyous occasions. These Arab American National Museum (AANM) classes will be taught by dancer/choreographer Suha Farhoud, former member of El-Funoun Popular Dance Troupe of Ramallah, Palestine. Twice-weekly children’s class (ages 8-13) begins February 24; weekly adult class (ages 14+) begins February 28. Click here for children’s registration information and here for the adult course.

ACCESS along with Muslim, Arab & South Asian American Community Leaders Meet with DHS Secretary Napolitano

ACCESS joined Arab, Muslim, Sikh and South Asian American community leaders recently in Washington, D.C., to meet with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to discuss joint efforts against domestic violent extremists.  The groups welcomed commitments by the secretary to promote meaningful, positive and authentic dialogue. Leaders from national and local organizations representing these communities expressed concern about DHS policies, such as racial and religious profiling at airports and the border, that have eroded the government’s trust and credibility with the communities.

Among the commitments Secretary Napolitano made were community participation in an anti-violent extremism task force of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, regular quarterly meetings with the secretary, a seminar on cultural competency for DHS leadership, and an honest and full discussion of legitimate grievances from members of these communities about DHS policies that are ineffective and have a deleterious, humiliating impact.

Community leaders believe that fulfilling these commitments would be a step forward in establishing meaningful, open and authentic dialogue between DHS and the Arab, Muslim, Sikh and South Asian American communities.  In addition, these leaders have called for changes to DHS policies that are ineffective and discriminate among travelers based on race, ethnicity, or religion.