ACCESS offers a variety of programs to empower youth to become leaders and get involved in their communities ranging from community service to cultural discussions, and more.
The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) Active Community Teen Service (ACTS) is a high school youth program dedicated to building leadership skills through advocacy and civic engagement. This first-of-its-kind program gives participants the opportunity to join in community service, advocate on issues of concern to them, and encourage fellow youth to vote, among other things. ACCESS ACTS is comprised of a group of about 30 students from various high schools in the metro Detroit area who aspire to become leaders in their community.
Contact:
Rachid Elabed
Email: relabed@accesscommunity.org
Phone: 734-652-3303
JIRON (Join In to Revitalize Our Neighborhoods) is an initiative that mobilizes residents to create positive change in their Detroit neighborhoods. This is accomplished by helping them build their advocacy, leadership, and civic engagement skills, while supporting them in their efforts to identify social, health, and safety concerns in their neighborhoods. Using these skills, organizers plan and implement projects, programs, and events to help resolve these issues. Youth learn how to write and review grants, and lead JIRON work.
JIRON also prepares youth for college and for the modern workforce, by helping them identify and apply for financial aid opportunities, and develop post-secondary education plans and works with 8th grade students in Southwest Detroit to help them transition successfully to high school and to be prepared to graduate high school successfully.
Contact:
Aswan Almaktary
Phone: (313) 203-3408
Email: aalmaktary@accesscommunity.org
TGI a program of the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP), offers teenagers in the metro Detroit area a chance to engage in the grantmaking process to address needs facing local youth. TGI’s mission is to make a difference in the community through grantmaking and community service. Teens meet monthly, conduct a needs assessment among youth in the community, develop funding priorities, issue a request for proposals, review applications, and decide which organizations should receive TGI funds. Teens also engage in fund development to increase their grantmaking. Participants learn leadership skills, successful nonprofit practices and the value of strategic philanthropy and grantmaking. The TGI program is expanding nationally, and most recently opened a chapter in New York City.
Contact:
Chelsea Liddy
Email: cliddy@accesscommunity.org
Phone: 313-297-4265
