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
The Digital Inclusion Program is a technology-based leadership program for high school students living in the Melvindale, Dearborn and Southwest Detroit areas that offers advanced technology training and teaches students leadership development, financial literacy, life and employment skills. The program also provides career exploration in a variety of technology fields as well as community service opportunities. The program is taught by a professional of the technology/engineering field. It is offered in the fall and runs until the end of May. Applications are sent out in August, and student selections are made by mid-September.
Students in DIP will:
Sessions:
Students who are accepted into the program will be responsible to attend a required number of sessions. The program meets two days a week for two hours each day, or on Saturdays for 4 hours. In order to receive a laptop at the graduation, the student must fulfill the required number of program attendance days.
Contact:
Phone: (313) 203-3406
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
In partnership with The University of Michigan School of Social Work, the Summer Youth Dialogues on Race and Ethnicity aim to increase dialogues on race and ethnicity among high school age youth in the neighborhoods and suburbs of Detroit, the nation’s most segregated metropolitan area. It seeks to reduce racial segregation and enable young people to plan projects that create community change. High School students from African, European, Middle Eastern and Latin American descent participate in structured dialogues, community projects, and leadership activities.
Contact:
Phone: (313) 203-3406
