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Kresge Community Arts Program
Calls for Applications with $100,000 in Grant Funding Available for Projects
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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.
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Sponsorships Available for ACCESS
39th Anniversary Dinner
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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 39th 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.
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ACCESS 21ST CCLC
Brings Detroit Author to Students
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Last
week, the children of ACCESS’ 21st Century Community Learning Center
(21st 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.
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YouthVille Seeks Students for New
Broadcast Journalism Program
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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.
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Community Leaders Learn About the
U.S. Census at ACCESS Event
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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.
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Arab Americans Can Support
Haiti through CAAP
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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.
You can also choose to donate directly to one of
the six CAAP recommended humanitarian relief organizations. Simply connect to
their Web sites and follow their online donor instructions. Click here to
donate now! |
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Center
for Arab American Philanthropy Accepting Proposals for Grants Up to $10,000
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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.
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ACCESS Seeks Director
for National Outreach Department
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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.
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Debkeh Dance Classes Begin for Children & Adults
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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.
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ACCESS
along with Muslim, Arab & South Asian American Community Leaders Meet
with DHS Secretary Napolitano
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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.
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E-Weekly News
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Communications 2651 Saulino Court Dearborn, MI 48120 Phone (313) 842-7010 Mobile (313) 213-0408 Fax (313) 842-5150
Hannan Deep Director of Communications hdeep@accesscommunity.org |