Programs

Holiday Gift-Giving

Every year around the Christmas and Ramadan holidays, ADC passes out gifts to underprivileged children in the community. Kindergartners and first-grade students from selected schools in low-income communities are encouraged to participate in a greeting card the symbolizes unity and diversity. A committee of ADC members chooses winners depending on the amount of gifts donated from community retailers, and the children are presented with wrapped gifts for the Christmas/Ramadan holiday season.

Advocates and Leaders for Police and Community Trust (ALPACT)

In an effort to establish a stronger relationship between the Arab American community and law enforcement officials, ADC plays an active role i this conference in cooperation with the NCCJ. Racial profiling while driving, police brutality and excessive use of force were the focus of this project. A main goal of this event is to provide a greater understanding of law enforcement agencies and enhance trust between citizens and police officers.

Michigan Alliance Against Hate Crimes (MIAAHC) Task Force

ADC serves as a steering committee member for MIAAHC, a statewide hate crime network. It was created by authority of the President of the United States to the Department of Justice, United States Attorneys' Offices, and the Governor of the State of Michigan to the Michigan Civil Rights Commission and Civil Rights Department. It was founded on the basis that a hate crime impacts the community as well as the victim. It calls into question the community's ability to protect its citizens and their property, and it undermines the community's safety, image and sense of security.

Citizenship Swearing-in Ceremony

ADC is an active member of the Detroit Coalition for Responsible Immigration Policy in the Detroit Metropolitan Area. The coalition consists of over 25 different ethnic communities, and it serves as an advocate for immigration policies on behalf of the immigrant community, One of the coalition's activities is organizing, in partnership with the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, citizenship swearing-in ceremonies to welcome new citizens as members of our great nation.

Judges' Night Reception

ADC focuses on strengthening the relationship between the Arab American community and the members of our judicial system at all levels. Such interaction not only enhances awareness regarding issues if concern pertaining to the Arab American community, but also helps promote and recognize those judges who exhibit distinguished leadership and those who are committed to justice in America, This event is an annual event where ADC will host host and honor particular judges.

BRIDGES

Programs

ADC Michigan continues to work closely with elected government officials in order to facilitate dialogue between them and community members, thus strengthening ties. ADC, on a regular basis, meets with these officials to update them on issues affecting the community and to relay concerns of the community. In addition, ADC, regularly hosts events between community members and government officials to address relevant issues of concern. To fulfill this initiative, ADC has established a strong relationship with the heads of all federal agencies in Michigan.

BRIDGES was founded in 2001 but was declared a formal entity of dialogue on May 16, 2003 by former US Attorney Jeffrey Collins and ADC Regional Director Imad Hamad. BRIDGES, an acronym for Building Respect In Diverse Groups to Enhance Sensitivity, is a formalized body that includes members of the Arab American community who have been meeting with the heads of all the federal agencies in Detroit since shortly after the September 11 tragedy.

MLK Scholarship

Programs

Through the MLK Scholarship Program, ADC Michigan not only honors our nation's greatest civil rights leader, but also carries his message to the communities of Metro Detroit. High school seniors are asked to write an essay about what the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. means to them. A committee is assembled, including educators from local schools, to judge the students' essays and scholarships are then awarded at a banquet reception.

“This annual essay contest held in King’s memory has grown into one of the more notable and interesting celebrations of King’s life in metro Detroit.” DetroitFree Press
“The dual goals of the program are to provide Arab American and Chaldean American high school students with college funding and to educate them about the ongoing struggle for civil right.” Detroit News

ADC Benefit Gala

The ADC Michigan Annual Benefit Gala is one of the largest and most prestigious annual Arab American events in the State of Michigan. The event usually generates a great amount of attention and publicity and hosts approximately 1,500 supporters, friends, distinguished guests, elected officials and international dignitaries each year.

In previous years, we have been honored to host distinguished leaders including: H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, the Prime Minister of the State of Qatar; Her Highness Shiekha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned of the State of Qatar; Queen Noor and Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan; and Her Excellency Shiekha Lubna Al-Qasimi of the United Arab Emirates. In addition to the above dignitaries, we are proud to have hosted the Governor of the State of Michigan, a number of U.S. Congress men and women, and many other American political figures.