Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services records, 1976-2009 (majority within 1992-2005)

Summary

Creator:

Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services.

Abstract:

Based in Dearborn, MI, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) works to provide services and assistance to new immigrants. They seek to establish a sense of community among Arab Americans and to provide a place to express traditions and pursue cultural activities. The collection includes a history of the organization and of the Arab-American community in Detroit, newsletters, annual reports, and information about many of the organization's activities.

Extent:

0.75 linear feet
1 archived websites (online)

Language:

English

Call Number:

98121 Bd 2

Authors:

Finding aid created by Ben Bond, in January, 2016

Background

Scope and Content:

The ACCESS records encompass an array of items donated at different times and include historical information about ACCESS, announcements, programs, newsletters, reports, miscellaneous publications, and archived website.

Biographical / Historical:

Founded by a group of volunteers in 1971 out of a storefront in Dearborn's impoverished south end, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) was created to assist the Arab immigrant population adapt to life in the United States. ACCESS offers English instruction and interpreters and seek to establish a sense of community among Arab Americans. In addition ACCESS provides a place to express traditions and pursue cultural activities.

As of 2016, ACCESS is the largest Arab American human services nonprofit in the United States. With eight locations and more than 100 programs serving metro Detroit, ACCESS offers a wide range of social, economic, health and educational services to a diverse population. Through initiatives like the Arab American National Museum (AANM), the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), ACCESS Growth Center, and the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP), ACCESS serves all Americans.

Acquisition Information:

Donated by Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (donor no. 7938 ) in several accessions beginning in 1991. Select publications have been donated at different times by Orchard Lake School (donor no. 7402 ), Karen Majewski (donor no. 10014 ), Mary Anne Stella (donor no. 10769 , and Sally Howell (donor no. 10840 ).

Processing information:

In preparing digital material for long-term preservation and access, the Bentley Historical Library adheres to professional best practices and standards to ensure that content will retain its authenticity and integrity. For more information on procedures for the ingest and processing of digital materials, please see Bentley Historical Library Digital Processing Note. Access to digital material may be provided either as a direct link to an individual file or as a downloadable package of files bundled in a zip file.

Accruals:

Periodic additions to the records expected.

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Related

Additional Descriptive Data:

Related Materials

Researchers should note that the Bentley Historical Library holds the following collections:

Sally Howell papers

Barbara C. Aswad Papers

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Arab Americans -- Michigan.
Communities -- Services for -- Michigan.
Immigrants -- Services for -- Michigan.
Muslims -- Michigan.

Names:

Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services.