Arab American Family Services has been busy in all aspects of public service. Despite budget cuts throughout the state of Illinois, AAFS is refusing to let the cuts take away services from our clients who need assistance.
It has been a whirlwind of a few months, but we are pleased with the outcome of our hard work and dedication. Please take a moment to check out what we have been doing over the months:
AAFS hit a milestone. They completed the first annual Arab American Big Brothers Big Sisters program AAFS, in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Chicago Palestine Film Festival. In its first year, we have been fortunate to have wonderful Arab American professional mentors who dedicated their time, unselfishly, to be there and help guide many young, Arab youth. This program paved the way for a new year, working with Arab American youth.
This year, we had eleven mentors and eleven mentees, team up, twice a month, from October through June. September will kick off the second year of the program. We want you to take part in this wonderful opportunity to help your community grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Mentees could be from the ages of 9 to 12, while mentors should be 18 and older. To learn more please contact us at 708-599-2237.
The spirit of the holy month of Ramadan was among in June and July. This year, AAFS hosted their annual Eid Drive in collaboration with their Back to School Drive.
Thanks to the many generous donors who adopted families for these events, AAFS was able to give back to 211 families who received gifts and generous donations to kick start Eid and back to school on a high note.
AAFS co-founder Nareman Taha was named to the Board of Directors for the Donors Forum. Donors Forum is the premier resource for networking and education, information and knowledge, and leadership and advocacy on behalf of philanthropy and nonprofits in Illinois. We are proud of this accomplishment and look forward to the months and years ahead.
Yahala Media, in partnership with AAFS, held their annual Iftar for Charity. The dinner, took place on July 3 at Paradise Elegant Banquets in Bridgeview, had a wonderful turnout from the community. There were 290 families that were given the opportunity to have a dinner “on the house.”
AAFS was fortunate to receive assistance from United Way, for helping us continue our mission of helping families receive the assistance they need to continue to thrive in their lives.
At AAFS, our mission remains to change and impact the quality of life by serving and building stronger and healthier generations of Arab Americans in our communities.
Through assistance and support of organizations such as United Way, we are able to continue to fulfill those goals.
As previously mentioned, several months ago, the state suffered a massive budget cut of $26 million that primarily effects the social service industry. AAFS was hit hard with the cuts, forced to cut back on staffing and assistance.
These cuts did not silence us.
AAFS co-founder Itedal Shalabi headed to Springfield, meeting with legislators and voicing her concern on why it is important for the state of Illinois to restore funding for the Illinois Welcoming Center, which was a program that was cut by Rauner.
Shalabi testified to the Human Services Appropriation Committee about funding the IWC and Immigrant Service Line Funding. IWC is a valid source for immigrants in the state, who need assistance and guidance on how to better adapt to life in the United States, once they complete the citizenship journey.
As Shalabi put it: “She is simply an immigrant, now U.S. citizen fighting for other immigrants rights to essential services.”
These are just some of the updates AAFS has to offer to you. We want to thank you, the clients, donors and supporters of AAFS, for turning to us, day in and day out, and for believing in our mission:
To change and impact the quality of life by serving and building stronger and healthier generations of Arab Americans in our communities.
(708) 599-2237
