6451 Schaefer, 2nd Flr. Dearborn, MI 48126 Tel: (313) 945-8380 (Please see the map below). Service center hours: Monday, Wednesday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

The SEMCA Work First provider for Central Wayne County is the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (A.C.C.E.S.S.) located in Dearborn. A.C.C.E.S.S. is a non-profit organization that was started nearly 29 years ago as a volunteer, “grass roots” movement aimed at bringing services to the Metro Detroit community.

Since then, A.C.C.E.S.S. has grown to five facilities offering 45 different programs. This year they have served over 40,000 people.

A.C.C.E.S.S.’s MichiganWorks! facilities are housed in their newest building, the “One-Stop Employment and Human Services Center” located at 6451 Schaefer in Dearborn. The staff of A.C.C.E.S.S. moved into this beautiful, new, 22,000 square foot facility in February of 1999. It was built with funds raised through a Capital Campaign which totaled $3.85 million. Of that total, $80,000 was contributed by the staff members of A.C.C.E.S.S. “I think that really proves how committed our staff is to the work that we do.” said A.C.C.E.S.S.’s Director of Employment and Training Sonia Harb, in a recent interview.

In addition to Employment Services and Training, A.C.C.E.S.S. offers a wide range of services through six other departments: “Social Services”, “Youth and Education”, “Family Counseling and Community Mental Health”, “Community Health Center”, “Environmental Programming” and “Cultural Arts.” These departments offer the people of the community vital services that they might not be able to obtain elsewhere. Services such as: legal council, immunizations, family counseling, computer classes, substance abuse programs, a media center and learning library, individualized child tutoring, advocacy services, and the list goes on!

A.C.C.E.S.S. also promotes the arts in the Metro Detroit area through activities like the Museum of Middle Eastern Culture. They promote the study of music, dance, writing, and folkart. A.C.C.E.S.S. is a co-sponsor of Detroit’s Concert of Colors. Now in its fifth year, the Concert of Colors showcases the cultural diversity that is Detroit.

A.C.C.E.S.S. offers interpretative services in seven different languages to all clients with language barriers. “We try to be sensitive to the needs of newly arrived immigrants.” says Sonia Harb. “I’m certain it’s very scary to arrive in a foreign land and not be able to communicate. We try to make people feel comfortable and give them a sense of belonging. The people in this area know that they can come to us for help, it’s a real community facility. I know that the people who come in here feel that this building is theirs.”

Sonia went on to explain how over the years A.C.C.E.S.S. has worked very hard to “build relationships with other players in the community.” This work has allowed them to broaden their programs and services so that they successfully serve all customers.

“Most of our services are also available to anyone who needs them.” said Ishmael Ahmed Executive Director of A.C.C.E.S.S. “Our staff is well trained and prepared to meet the needs of the entire community.” A.C.C.E.S.S. was formed to fill a serious gap in services available to Arab American residents in the area, but their success at providing top quality services has earned them recognition as a human services agency that receives high ratings from all persons seeking employment assistance.

This One Stop provider has a serious commitment to helping the people of the Detroit Metro area.

Please visit our Service Center

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To visit our website go to www.accesscommunity.org

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