Community Stories

The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) has nearly 100 programs that strive to assist, improve and empower people in the community locally and nationally. These stories highlight ACCESS programs in the community and across the country, as well as clients who are positively impacted by the organization. Nonprofit groups and media outlets are welcome to reprint these stories with attribution and/or to link to these pages. If you have questions, please contact the ACCESS Communications Department at 313-842-5128.

ACCESS ACTS volunteers create safer routes to school

More than 80 volunteers braved the frigid temperatures on Saturday, Jan.

Small business owner receives loan to launch restaurant

Malik loves food. The Iraqi refugee has spent much of his professional life sharing the joy of cooking with others, having worked as a chef for nearly 20 years.

A NNAAC for organizing

During the 2012 election cycle, the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC)—a project of ACCESS—led an unprecedented nonpartisan voter engagement campaign called “My Arab American Vote.”

Cultivating a culture of philanthropy

Teen Grantmaking Initiative members with a mural

Waking up early on weekends; long hours of tough decision making; asking friends and family for donations; juggling school, work and extracurricular activities — these are some of the challenges that come with being part of the only Arab American youth grantmaking program in the country. But for the members of CAAP’s Teen Grantmaking Initiative (TGI), the rewards are worth it.

Not just a job – a career

“Should I pay bills or put food on the table?” Before she found ACCESS, this was a question Susan asked herself regularly. Susan was laid off four years ago from her job at a major automotive supplier and her husband was out of work due to injuries. They were in a crisis situation.