Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
Encyclopedia
The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) is a human services organization committed to the development of the Arab American
community in all aspects of economic and cultural life. ACCESS helps low-income families, as well as newly arrived immigrants adapt to life in the United States
. Its goal is to foster a greater understanding of Arab culture in the U.S. and in the Arab world
. ACCESS provides a wide range of social, mental health
, educational, artistic, employment, legal, and medical services, and is dedicated to empowering people to lead more informed, productive, and fulfilling lives.
’s South End in 1971. Staffed entirely by volunteers, ACCESS’ first board president was George Khoury, accompanied by Hajjah Aliya Hassan as the first volunteer director.
Without the help of The Association of Arab-American University Graduates (AAUG), and its donation of the first months rent, the opening of ACCESS on Vernor Highway would not have been possible. In subsequent years, ACCESS moved to Hashemite Hall until it burned down. In 1973, the building on Saulino Court was purchased by the Yemeni Benevolent Association, and generously offered to ACCESS free of charge, where the administrative offices still reside today.
ACCESS began to really take off in the mid-to-late 1970s receiving many grants and awards. As things began to blossom, the center was hit by a devastating fire. This did not deter the staff and volunteers at ACCESS, who arrived to work the next morning an hour early to set up tents outside and continue helping those in need. With the help of the community and many volunteers, the building on Saulino Court was rebuilt.
ACCESS has grown tremendously over the years, from starting small and serving only hundreds, to now serving hundreds of thousands of those in need. The expansion of ACCESS has grown to five locations, including the Arab American National Museum
(AANM), which was founded on May 5, 2005.
ACCESS also partners with many companies in Michigan
to provide services.
Key Programs and Services:
(Basic Skills, GED, ESL, Office Skills) And Computer Application Training
Educational and recreational services are offered through the following programs:
Arab American
An Arab American is a United States citizen or resident of Arab ethnic, cultural and linguistic heritage or identity, who identifies themselves as Arab. Arab Americans trace ancestry to any of the various waves of immigrants of the countries comprising the Arab World...
community in all aspects of economic and cultural life. ACCESS helps low-income families, as well as newly arrived immigrants adapt to life in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its goal is to foster a greater understanding of Arab culture in the U.S. and in the Arab world
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
. ACCESS provides a wide range of social, mental health
Mental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
, educational, artistic, employment, legal, and medical services, and is dedicated to empowering people to lead more informed, productive, and fulfilling lives.
History
ACCESS began operating out of a storefront at DearbornDearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
’s South End in 1971. Staffed entirely by volunteers, ACCESS’ first board president was George Khoury, accompanied by Hajjah Aliya Hassan as the first volunteer director.
Without the help of The Association of Arab-American University Graduates (AAUG), and its donation of the first months rent, the opening of ACCESS on Vernor Highway would not have been possible. In subsequent years, ACCESS moved to Hashemite Hall until it burned down. In 1973, the building on Saulino Court was purchased by the Yemeni Benevolent Association, and generously offered to ACCESS free of charge, where the administrative offices still reside today.
ACCESS began to really take off in the mid-to-late 1970s receiving many grants and awards. As things began to blossom, the center was hit by a devastating fire. This did not deter the staff and volunteers at ACCESS, who arrived to work the next morning an hour early to set up tents outside and continue helping those in need. With the help of the community and many volunteers, the building on Saulino Court was rebuilt.
ACCESS has grown tremendously over the years, from starting small and serving only hundreds, to now serving hundreds of thousands of those in need. The expansion of ACCESS has grown to five locations, including the Arab American National Museum
Arab American National Museum
The Arab American National Museum , which opened in 2005, is the first museum in the world devoted to Arab American history and culture. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, the Museum seeks to dispel misconceptions about Arab Americans and other minorities....
(AANM), which was founded on May 5, 2005.
Social Services
With two walk-in offices in Dearborn and one outreach office in Hamtramck, Social Services continues to assist the community at the grassroots level. ACCESS provides them with what they need to improve the quality of their lives. There is a broad range of services provided from finding jobs, immigration needs, to health services.Services
- Information & Referral—Provide assistance with completion of forms from the Michigan Department of Human Services (welfare), Social Security Administration, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (unemployment offices), utility companies, health systems, etc.)
- Advocacy (Provide assistance with government and private entities)
- Translation of Documents
- Interpretation
- Emergency Services Program (Rent/Mortgage Assistance and Utility Shut-off Prevention, THAW, Emergency Food Assistance)
- MI CAFE Programs—Food Stamps Assistance Program targeting seniors
- Immigration Services (Family Reunification, National Visa Center Processing, Swear-in Ceremonies and other immigration services)
- Senior Services
- Legal Assistance
ACCESS also partners with many companies in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
to provide services.
Partnerships
- Department of Human Services (DHS)
- City of Dearborn
- Social Security Administration
- United Way for Southeastern Michigan
- Wayne-Metropolitan Community Action Agency
- Legal Aid and Defender Association (LADA)
- Senior Alliance
- Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA)
Employment and training
The Employment & Training Department at ACCESS is a Certified Michigan Works One-Stop Employment Services Center. Each year the Employment and Training department holds six job fairs servicing 100 employers and drawing thousands of job seekers.Key Programs and Services:
- Employment Service Program
- Workforce Investment Act – Adult, DLW, Youth and Special Populations Programs
- No Worker Left Behind Program
- Work First/JET Programs
- Specialized workshops for job seekers
- Self-Directed Resource Room with Internet Access
- Learning Lab – Assessments, Self-Paced Tutorials
(Basic Skills, GED, ESL, Office Skills) And Computer Application Training
- A range of services to employers (recruitment, screening, consultations, mediation, job fairs, etc.)
Youth and education
Through numerous programs the Youth and Education Department provides learning and activities for youth of all ages. Summer programs include a stronger academic preparedness component. Each year through our Adult Literacy Program we are able to provide hundreds of predominantly non-native English speakers with courses in English as a Second Language (ESL).Educational and recreational services are offered through the following programs:
Academic Enrichment Programs
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Lowrey Middle School and Salina Intermediate)
- After-school Homework Assistance
- Targeted Intervention Program
- Summer Academy (academic, enrichment, and recreational all-day program)
- Supplemental Education Services (offered to schools that qualify)
- Vendor Services (fee-based): Arabic, Spanish, Sports, Character Development, ESL
Family Literacy Program
- Adult Literacy (ESLESLESL is a common abbreviation for English as a Second Language, see English language learning and teaching.ESL may also refer to:-Companies:...
) - Interactive Parent and Child Activities
- Home Visits and Focused Case Management
- Parenting Education
- Citizenship Classes (in preparation for U.S. Citizenship Test)
Other Services
- Customized ESL training for employers
- Teen Dialogue Groups (in partnership with the University of Michigan)
- Interagency and Community-wide Referrals
- Educational and Advocacy Services
- Volunteerism/Professional Development Opportunities