ACC Celebrates Three Decades of Service

posted on: Sep 16, 2009

The Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC) will host its 30th Annual Civic and Humanitarian Awards Gala at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center at 6 p.m. Oct. 17. Every year the non-profit human services organization sets the stage for a unique and prestigious event to honor extraordinary individuals and organizations who are visionaries in their respectful areas of work.

This year, ACC is celebrating 30 years of service. Through leadership, growth, responsibility, and commitment over the past three decades ACC has grown to be the premier non-profit human service organization providing services to the Middle Eastern and mainstream communities in Southeast Michigan.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit ACC’s specialized refugee programs and service. Michigan has experienced a tremendous influx of refugees due to the situations in the Middle East. As a result of the increased number of refugees ACC is experiencing an overwhelmingly high demand for services. ACC aims to gear these newcomers towards responsible citizenship, the potential employment market, and stability in their life.

ACC is privileged to have Ambassador Houda Nonoo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, as its most honored guest. She is the Arab world’s first Jewish woman to serve as ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Nonoo has worked to improve working conditions in factories, raise awareness of the rights of women and children, campaigned for family and domestic law, and raised awareness of the plight of domestic workers.

The evening’s honorees have been chosen based on their leadership and dedication to rebuilding communities throughout Michigan. The 2009 honorees are:

* US Senator Debbie Stabenow
* Lt. Governor John D. Cherry
* Attorney General Mike Cox
* Mayor Dave Bing
* Manuel “Matty” J Moroun
* ACC Board Member Walid Khalife

Meteorologist Chuck Gaidica, WDIV-TV Channel 4, will emcee the evening’s program.

ACC is the premier non-profit human service organization providing services to the Middle Eastern and mainstream communities in Southeast Michigan. Furthermore, ACC provides better opportunities to enable newcomers to adjust to their new environment. As a bridge of understanding, ACC maximizes the skills, resources and expertise of the community to:

–Build cooperation and understanding
Raise the level of individuals’ well-being
Increase cross-cultural understanding through education

–Deliver human services, counseling and opportunities
Gear community members towards achievement
Empower through employment training and placement