FOUNDATION UPDATE The
FOUNDATION UPDATE The Circus is Back Breaking Barriers, the program that serves individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, hosted the Breaking Barriers Circus in September. Acts included a tightrope walker, strongman competition, jugglers, dancers, singers, ribbon twirlers and more. The audience was treated to popcorn and cotton candy and the parents of the participants had their own private circus show. Breaking Barriers Circus ribbon dancers performing. Little Scholars Open House Little Scholars student poses with Clifford the Big Red Dog. Celebrating New Americans With school season rapidly approaching, CCF’s Little Scholars students had the opportunity to tour the facilities prior to the start of classes. They were able to familiarize themselves with the facilities and meet their teachers and classmates as well. Outside vendors were on hand to supply information and resources. These vendors included Delta Dental, PBS Kids, Macomb Community College’s Dental Science Program, the Sterling Heights Police and Fire Department, Aqua Tots, Detroit Wildlife Refuge, and more. The CCF hosted their New American Celebration on September 17. This annual event celebrates individuals that CCF has assisted through the U. S. immigration department or have taken the 10- week citizenship preparation course and have gone on to obtain U.S. Citizenship. The event was hosted on Citizenship Day. Those in attendance had an opportunity to experience a booth and tabulator, as well as how to fill out a sample ballot. For most, this is their first experience with the voting process. New Americans and their families, along with the CCF’s Citizenship Class, pose for a group photo with Mayor Michael Taylor of Sterling Heights. Ankawa Mayor Ramy Noori Awdish and Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor signing the Sister City agreement. Sterling Heights and Ankawa Officially Become Sister Cities The CCF has facilitated a sister city relationship between Sterling Heights, Michigan and Ankawa, a city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Sister City agreements are meant to be long-term partnerships that foster an environment in which economic and community development can be implemented and strengthened. This historic partnership aims to foster cultural exchange, economic collaboration, and mutual understanding between the two cities. An official event coordinating the signing of the agreement was conducted by Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor and Ankawa’s Mayor Ramy Noori Awdish on September 13. These two cities share much in common, including both having a large population of Chaldean residents. The resolution comes after months of discussions between community leaders in Sterling Heights and representatives from Ankawa. The next steps will involve the formation of a project team that will lay out a roadmap for the sharing of knowledge in culture, business and education as well as working toward building out a curriculum assessment and teacher exchange program along with remote learning opportunities at the college level to ensure students and teachers can give and receive unique experiences and perspectives. 8 CHALDEAN NEWS OCTOBER 2024
We’re never done making health care better. Together we can ® ... Build stronger, healthier communities. Make an impact in the lives of people we serve. Improve health. Instill humanity. Inspire hope. corewellhealth.org OCTOBER 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 9
