Members of the Chaldean
Members of the Chaldean Community Foundation’s RAST program go over some paperwork at their new office in Sterling Heights. Pictured are Case Managers Walid Abro and Kristin Jirjis Bajoka and Program Manager Sharon Hannawa. COACH held its annual Easter Food Drive on April 22. Dozens of volunteers helped package and deliver food to more than 100 refugee and needy families in Warren, Madison Heights, Sterling Heights and Detroit. The food was donated by Golden Star Wholesale (Troy), Value Wholesale Distributors (Oak Park), Save-A-Lot (Madison Heights), Family Food Market (Harper Woods) and Safeway Food Center (Southfield). soaring to new heights Organizations lift the community By Vanessa Denha Garmo and Joyce Wiswell It was more than a century ago when Christians from Iraq began arriving to the United States. And like many new immigrants, the community remained close-knit. Today, the bonds are still strong among Michigan-based Chaldeans and much of that is due to its established organizations that provide support and services to a variety of programs. Here’s an overview of the community’s groups with designated 501 (c) (3) non-profit status. CALC: Chaldean American Ladies of Charity It’s a monumental year for the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity (CALC), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. CALC was officially established in 1961 under the direction of Bishop George Garmo. Over the past 50 years, the CALC has helped thousands of families in need and has been instrumental in helping Iraqi refugees establish themselves in Metro Detroit. Members have been educational tutors, translators, drivers and supporters as these displaced Chaldeans assimilate to American culture, secure housing and find jobs. CALC has also created mentor programs for young women; honored the men and women of Chaldean descent who have served in the U.S. armed forces; hosted excursions for disadvantaged youth; assisted many of the community’s senior citizens; and continues to work closely with the Chaldean diocese and other community organizations. Its warehouse in Madison Heights equips newly arrived refugees with clothing, furniture and household necessities. Just last month, CALC published its long-awaited cookbook, Ma Baseema. It all started 50 years ago in the basement of a church with a small group of Chaldean women. “If you look at what these women started decades ago and what they have been able to accomplish you can’t help but be in awe,” said current president LeeAnn Kirma. “I am so honored to follow in the footsteps of these pioneers in our community and do our part to give back and be part of this incredible organization.” Kirma is CALC’s 15th president; the organization has nine board members and 26 advisory board members. Some presidents served for several years and each brought with her a distinct personality, background and dedication to helping others. Since its inception, CALC has been partnering with local doctors to provide medical care to families in need. Last year CALC partnered with the Chaldean American Association of Health Professionals (CAAHP) formalizing this project, which continued their efforts to provide free medical services to qualified uninsured individuals. Called Project Bismutha, which translates into “the act of healing,” the program is open to adult members of the Metro Detroit Chaldean community who meet eligibility guidelines. The project offers free primary and preventative health care, management of common medical problems, and maintenance of chronic health challenges. Project Bismutha also provides access to prescription medications from Chaldean pharmacists at minimal fees. Recently, the CAAHP decided to partner with the Chaldean Community Foundation for Project Bismutha. CALC is continuing its program and services of helping the needy with health care, so now members of the Chaldean community can choose between the two programs. CFA: Chaldean Federation of America Founded in 1981, the Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) has had its challenges and transformations. In 2005, Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim took over control of the group, dismissing its board of directors and putting Mike George, the community’s unofficial patriarch, in charge. Former board members still grumble about the change, which they say violated the organizations’ constitution and bylaws. Nevertheless, the CFA continues to provide services for Chaldeans in a number of ways. Its mission is to advocate for settling thousands of Chaldean refugees outside Iraq to a country of permanent residency and provide humanitarian relief while they are waiting; provide assistance to new refugee arrivals and help detainees and asylums in their cases; provide humanitarian relief for displaced people inside Iraq; support advocacy issues that affect the Chaldean American community; award scholarships during its annual commencement ceremony for Chaldean graduates; and help establish a secure province in Northern Iraq (the Nineveh Plains) where displaced Chaldeans can relocate. This year, the CFA gained approval from the U.S. State Department to become a Refugee Reception and Placement Agency. CFA’s 2011 focus will be highly concentrated on reception and placement services for refugees arriving mainly in the Detroit and San Diego areas. Executive Director Joe Kassab said CFA’s resettlement work should be up and running by the middle of this year. “We will also focus on what we do next best, the legal aid pro-bono work for refugee, asylum and 20 CHALDEAN NEWS MAY 2011
By the Numbers: 2010 Financial Reports Chaldean Community Foundation Operating Budget.......................................................5,000 Operating Expenses.....................................................2,000 Charitable Contributions.................................................. ,000 (includes ,000 to Crime Stoppers through the Waad Murad Advocacy Fund) MDCH Mental Health Grant.............................................0,000 Insurance.................................................................... 7 Programs and Events..................................................... ,119 Public Relations........................................................... ,096 2011 Expected Operating Budget......................................1 million The CCC recently received 0,000 from Dean Foods/Country Fresh at a dinner at Shenandoah. “So much of the community has supported Country Fresh for years and now it is our turn to give back to the community and we are happy to do it,” said Rob Hollandsworth, vice president of Dean Foods Midwest Group. CALC Operating Budget.......................................................0,000 Operating Expenses.....................................................0,000 Program Services & Activities...........................................9,408 Program Administration..................................................2,606 Charitable Causes & In-Need Families................................... ,773 2011 Expected Operating Budget...............................NOT PROVIDED immigration-related issues,” said Kassab. “We will open up the doors to work with more university pro-bono clinics in addition to our champion, the University of Detroit Mercy, to assist our people with no charges.” The CFA is also known for its Adopt-A-Refugee-Family program, which helps refugees living in countries like Jordan, Syria and Lebanon as they await permanent placement in a new land. One hundred percent of donations go directly to the refugees via an international Jesuit organization. All program expenses are paid from the CFA’s general fund. As of February 2011, more than .5 million had been sent overseas. CCF: Chaldean Community Foundation In 2006, the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce created a charitable arm, originally called the Chaldean Chamber Foundation. In 2009, the name was changed to more accurately reflect the organization’s scope and mission – “advancing the needs of the Chaldean American community and the communities in which they live and work through education, charitable giving and advocacy.” The foundation has supported numerous organizations and programs including the CFA’s scholarship program and Adopt-a-Refugee-Family; construction costs for St. George Church in Shelby Township and the Chaldean Cultural Center in West Bloomfield; the Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Council of America (CASCA); the Chaldean Voice; and several other causes. The foundation houses the Waad Murad Advocacy Fund, which supplies reward money to help solve violent crimes committed at stores. Since 2006, more than ,000 has been donated to Crime Stoppers in an effort to bring to justice those who have committed crimes against business owners and employees. The foundation offers Cultural Competency Training to corporate, educational and law enforcement organizations that wish to learn more about the Chaldean American community in Southeast Michigan. Attendees receive a brief history of Chaldeans and learn about their faith, culture, language and ways the community has assimilated in the United States. Like other community groups, much of the foundation’s recent attention has been focused on refugees of the Iraq War. “Although we continue to offer cultural competency, the Iraqi refugees have taken precedence,” said Martin Manna, the chamber/foundation’s executive director (and a co-publisher of the Chaldean News). Since 2008, the foundation has received state funding to provide mental health services to the refugees, many whom have experienced severe trauma by the war and its subsequent religious persecution. The CCF partners with organizations continued on page 20 Chaldean Federation of America Operating Budget.......................................................0,000 (includes 5,000 for Adopt-a-Refugee-Family) Operating Expenses...................................................... ,000 Adopt-a-Refugee-Family.................................................5,000 Grant Expenses........................................................... ,000 Fundraising Events....................................................... ,000 2011 Expected Operating Budget.......................................0,000 (includes Adopt-a-Refugee) COACH Operating Budget........................................................ ,000 Operating Expenses...................................................... ,000 Shuttle Van Maintenance and Operation................................... ,000 Family Support Program................................................... ,000 2011 Expected Operating Budget........................................ ,000 Chaldean Cultural Center Total Raised........................................................... ,117,900 Construction share advanced to Shenandoah drawn from 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 funds for a 20-year lease for the Chaldean Cultural Center starting in 2010..............................0,000 Deposit made to Shenandoah for future events sponsored by the CCC, which was paid to Shenandoah in 2008......................0,000 Additional funds spent:..................................................4,500 Detailed breakdown: ,000 – Design Craftsmen ,000 – Mort Crim Productions for “Our Story” video 6,000 – Saylor & Sirola, museum design team from New York 0,000 – Xenon Productions, multimedia design firm ,000 – Publication of the book The Chaldeans Money spent since 2003................................................0,000 Expenditures include purchase of artifacts, fundraising activities, grant writing, public relations, staff salaries, archiving of museum artifacts (i.e. manuscripts, photos, passports, textiles, village household items), office expenses (i.e. computers, phones, copiers, storage units), etc. Total Expenses........................................................ ,094,500 Money currently in checking and savings............................. ,023,400 MAY 2011 CHALDEAN NEWS 21
