Ramadan is a special month for Muslims around the world. It’s more than a fast, and has a different meaning for everyone who observes it. Epicenter NYC speaks to AAFSC staff members, Mirum and Seeran, about what Ramadan means to them.
Food Security Initiatives, Cultural Competency
In partnership with The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit and the Yemeni American Merchants Association (YAMA), AAFSC is expanding access to health coverage for Arabic language speakers.
Community Health & Well-Being
AAFSC is thrilled to announce that we are one of five winners of Brooklyn Community Foundation’s SPARK Prize!
Racial Equity & Inclusion
Community Health & Well-Being
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, AAFSC speaks to Alba, our Senior Case Manager & Advocate, about her work supporting survivors throughout the Family Justice Centers in NYC.
Anti-Violence Program
Little Amal, a 10-foot-tall Syrian refugee puppet visited us in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and celebrated the diverse culture of the Arab-American community in NYC through dance, music, food, and collective spirit.
In our Adult Readiness Program Highlight video, we speak to Paul, AAFSC’s Associate Director of Adult Readiness initiatives, who shares more about the program and welcoming back their students to in-person instruction.
Adult Readiness, Caregiver Child Bonding Circle
The New York Times is conducting a survey that explores how people of Middle Eastern and North African descent in the United States identify themselves, available in English, Arabic, and Persian.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Cultural Competency
Anti-Violence Program, Racial Equity & Inclusion
AAFSC’s intern, Andrew Williams, reflects on a year-long participatory budgeting process which led to the planting of two community gardens in Briarwood, Queens.
Community Health & Well-Being, Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
Throughout the pandemic we’ve witnessed a surge in food insecurity and long lines at pantries across the city. In this podcast episode, Epicenter NYC speaks to AAFSC about the accessibility of halal food aid in NYC.
Food Security Initiatives, Community Health & Well-Being
In the spirit of heading back to school, we’re highlighting our Young Adult and Youth Program! We sat down with Murrim and Mohamed, AAFSC’s Young Adult and Youth Program Coordinators & Facilitators, who share with us the various youth programs – including AYWA, MENAR, and Funny Girls – their team leads, as well as how their personal experiences as immigrants helps them connect with youth in the AMENAMSA community.
Young Adult & Youth Program
MENA communities face systematic inequities due to a lack of representation in the Census and other federal programs. AAFSC speaks with USA Today about establishing a MENA category for our communities.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
Fleeing the war in Yemen, A. resettled to the U.S. and quickly found a safe space in our Young Adult and Youth Program. After receiving academic and socioemotional support, A. quickly became a leader within our AYWA program and is now a mentor for young girls like herself.
Young Adult & Youth Program
A mixed methods study on the availability of halal food aid in NYC and the barriers food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens face in providing halal food.
Food Security Initiatives, Cultural Competency
AAFSC Volunteer, Sajila, recaps her experience joining an Our City, Our Vote rally to defend Intro 1867 outside the Staten Island Courthouse.
Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
Created by five Briarwood Youth Ambassadors, this Mindfulness Toolkit aims to promote resilient mental health through relaxation, stretching, and awareness of oneself.
Community Health & Well-Being, Young Adult & Youth Program, Racial Equity & Inclusion
After speaking to AAFSC about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among her friends and family, Leyla is now effecting change directly in her community and supporting people with COVID-19 vaccination resources.
Community Health & Well-Being, Racial Equity & Inclusion
Seeking academic and social-emotional support for their children, Nada’s family reached out to AAFSC. Inspired by the performance and leadership skills of other immigrant girls from local Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, Muslim, and South Asian communities, Nada joined Funny Girls and now thrives as an active member developing her life skills, confidence, and strong community bonds.
Young Adult & Youth Program
At risk of homelessness due to an abusive partner and landlord, Asma enrolled in AAFSC’s Anti-Violence Program to receive immediate crisis intervention and case management support. Through a referral to our housing response unit, Asma was successfully granted a Section 8 housing voucher and is now acclimating to her new life, while still connected to a robust support network.
Anti-Violence Program
Through a New York City Family Justice Center referral, Maria turned to our Anti-Violence program for immediate support. An Emergency Housing Voucher was just one step towards Maria’s healing journey.
Anti-Violence Program
As a long-time participant of AAFSC’s Young Adult and Youth Program, Thuraya set her sights on college and turned to her support network at AAFSC to help achieve this goal.
Young Adult & Youth Program
Fleeing from her abusive partner, Alba left her home in search of a new beginning. Through our Emergency Relief Fund, AAFSC delivered nearly $1,000 for food, baby supplies, and winter clothing while she waited for government assistance to arrive.
Anti-Violence Program, Community Health & Well-Being
Confronting a history of domestic violence, trauma, parenting challenges, and struggles with her own mental health and well-being, Sadia turned to AAFSC during her time of need. In just one year, she has demonstrated a willingness and commitment to healing in her own life, as well as her family’s.
Emergency Fund, Anti-Violence Program, Mental Health Initiatives
For immigrants like Lourdes and José, staying healthy can be difficult. AAFSC helps them learn the importance of nutrition to support their family through conscious food choices.
Food Security Initiatives, Community Health & Well-Being
Over the last seven years with AAFSC, Mohamed has transformed into a confident student with bright goals through our comprehensive youth initiatives.
Young Adult & Youth Program
Amparo first came to AAFSC four years ago with an extremely limited knowledge of English. Through hard work and perseverance, she is now a role model to other students.
Adult Readiness
Mathew Francis, the Arab-American Family Support Center’s Senior Community Outreach and Enrollment Coordinator, provides us an overview of AAFSC’s Community Health and Well-Being Program and a glimpse into his day-to-day work. This video has been recorded in both English and Arabic.
Community Health & Well-Being
AAFSC illustrates a relationship between community safety and the social determinants of health – such as food and housing security, economic stability, education and family services access, and healthcare access and quality.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
In Episode 2 of AAFSC’s newest video series, we explore the power of community partnerships to holistically address the impact of COVID-19 in immigrant communities with special guest, Sheleeza Deen.
Food Security Initiatives, Community Health & Well-Being, Racial Equity & Inclusion
AAFSC’s Statement on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Ruling
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
This World Refugee Day, we focus on “the right to seek safety” for all our community members in New York City and throughout the United States who identify as refugees, asylees, and displaced individuals.
In Episode 1 of AAFSC’s newest video series, we explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Briarwood, Queens with special guest, Sheleeza Deen.
Food Security Initiatives, Community Health & Well-Being, Racial Equity & Inclusion
Assessing the quality of health and healthcare access in AMEMNSASA communities and examining potential
gaps and deficiencies in the level of healthcare access among AAFSC’s service population.
Community Health & Well-Being
Proximity of FQHCs in New York City’s underserved, socially vulnerable Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian communities.
Community Health & Well-Being
In AAFSC’s newest position paper, we assess the challenges facing Afghan newcomers and social service organizations like ours supporting their resettlement and provide legislative recommendations, including passing the Afghan Adjustment Act to secure long-term safety for Afghans affected by this crisis.
Community Health & Well-Being, Legal Services, Cultural Competency
NYC’s immigrant and refugee communities are experiencing an unprecedented need for mental health support. In this report, we examine the impact of AAFSC’s Mental Health Initiative.
Community Health & Well-Being, Mental Health Initiatives
Our Ramadan Campaign, Fuel Your Community, has officially ended and here’s a recap of our impact this month.
Food Security Initiatives, Community Health & Well-Being, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
CBS reporter Cindy Hsu visited our new Atlantic Avenue Community Center, in honor of Arab American Heritage Month.
Food Security Initiatives, Preventive Services, Mental Health Initiatives
AAFSC partnered with the Aspen Institute to share our experience about how language serves as a major obstacle for immigrant families when not properly addressed and the practices that we are using to provide 2Gen services to immigrant and refugee families.
Cultural Competency
The NYC Civic Engagement Commission recently wrapped up “The People’s Money,” a participatory budgeting program that will send over $1 million to neighborhoods most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about how AAFSC is addressing food insecurity in Briarwood, Queens through a community garden project.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
The Arab-American Family Support Center opened its latest location in Brooklyn, providing support for Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian, and Muslim communities for 27 years. You can read the full News 12 article and watch the video coverage, here.
Adult Readiness, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
For the 75% of Queens Family Justice Center clients born outside the U.S., our Anti-Violence program team is there to help survivors access the resources they need to begin their healing journey. You can read the full Queens Daily Eagle article, here.
Anti-Violence Program
On Friday, March 25th AAFSC celebrated the Grand Opening of their newest Atlantic Avenue community center with a Citizenship Celebration, diaper and book distribution, food distribution, and more. Read the full press release, here.
Adult Readiness, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
In honor of Women’s History Month, we spoke with one of our Funny Girls participants about one of her role models and the ways in which she embodies the qualities of a Funny Girls leader and youth advocate!
Young Adult & Youth Program
On March 2nd, AAFSC was honored to join the Asian American Federation in testifying to the NYC Council Committee on Finance, requesting that the Committee expand funding for Citywide Initiatives that ensure more AAPI/immigrant-led and serving groups are adequately funded to support marginalized communities.
Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
In the AAFSC Research Institute’s latest Program Evaluation report, we examine the measurable impact of our services and take a closer look at AAFSC’s expansion and evolution of our adult education initiatives in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adult Readiness
On Tuesday, February 22nd AAFSC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Women & Gender Equity, shedding light on the critical barriers immigrant and refugee survivors face when accessing services in New York City.
In honor of our dear friend and colleague, AAFSC organized a food distribution drive and vaccine van, in coordination with The Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) and NYC Health + Hospitals. Together, we distributed over 200 bags of culturally appropriate food items and vaccinated 11 people against COVID-19.
The Arab-American Family Support Center congratulates the newly inaugurated NYC Council members and celebrates the launch of a historic year for representation in our city’s government.
Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
New York City’s AAPI community is the fastest growing population in the city. Along with nearly 60 community-based organizations, AAFSC is calling on the Adams Administration to strengthen City Hall’s relationship with New York’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community by establishing a Mayor’s Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs. Read the op-ed.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
Watch our Housing Needs Panel Discussion that discusses the nature and severity of housing insecurity in low-income immigrant and refugee communities and solutions that will support families in securing and maintaining stable housing.
Emergency Fund, Community Health & Well-Being
The AAFSC Research Institute conducted a comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment survey with over 350 families to better understand the nature and severity of this housing crisis.
Emergency Fund, Community Health & Well-Being
How young can we start teaching children about giving back to their community, volunteering, or fostering gratitude? The answer is as early as possible! In News Concerns recent article on “8 Ways to Teach Kids about Giving”, AAFSC’s Volunteer Program was highlighted as a way for Brooklyn-based families to support vulnerable immigrant and refugee communities in New York City.
In this latest report by the AAFSC Research Institute, we examine the efficacy of recently launched government economic recovery programs, such as the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), the Excluded Workers Fund, and the Expanded Child Tax Credit, in reaching low-income immigrant and refugee communities.
Emergency Fund, Community Health & Well-Being
After decades of tireless advocacy, New York City just became the largest municipality in the country to allow legal residents to vote, following a veto-proof margin with 36 out of 51 councilmembers sponsoring the bill.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
The AAFSC Research Institute is proud to have contributed to the SUNY Prepare Innovation and Internship Seed Grant Program’s recent study on addressing the impact of COVID-19 vaccinations on limited English proficient populations in NY.
Community Health & Well-Being, Mental Health Initiatives
Hosted by the Aspen Institute, AAFSC joins a panel discussion on Cultural Competency Secrets to Success.
Racial Equity & Inclusion
2021 was a monumental year for AAFSC and our communities – serving 10,000 clients this past year. Read our 2021 Impact Report for a summary of the successes we accomplished with your support!
New from the AAFSC Research Institute: Our Food Security Program supports individuals in achieving food security through our SNAP Enrollment Program, resource navigation, direct food distribution, and emergency funding.
Emergency Fund, Food Security Initiatives
AAFSC organized a community dinner at “Mombar” in Astoria, Queens to raise funds for our food security initiatives.
Food Security Initiatives, Community Health & Well-Being
AAFSC’s Research Institute informs a new study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of immigrant women.
Community Health & Well-Being, Mental Health Initiatives
Today is NYC’s General Election and we have the power to enact change for our City’s future!
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
The Arab-American Family Support Center Announced as Finalist for Brooklyn Community Foundation’s SPARK Prize, Joining Twenty Nonprofits That Have Sparked Change in Brooklyn, NY
AAFSC reflects on the complex and layered impact of Domestic Violence on survivors, children, and the caregiver-child relationship.
Anti-Violence Program, Caregiver Child Bonding Circle
New from the AAFSC Research Institute: Our Anti-Violence Program provides wrap-around case management, advocacy, and domestic violence counseling to survivors from immigrant and refugee communities. Our adapted MOVERS evaluation measures these indicators of empowerment and demonstrates the effectiveness of tailoring domestic violence services to the needs of immigrant survivors.
Anti-Violence Program
Sylvie Mayer is an eleventh-grade student based in Brooklyn, NY and a communications volunteer with the Arab-American Family Support Center. Interested in writing and spreading awareness about under-resourced populations in New York City, she hopes to use her passion to connect with her local community in a meaningful way.
Community Health & Well-Being, Racial Equity & Inclusion
New from the AAFSC Research Institute: Our Young Adult & Youth Program aims to support the overall cognitive, social, and emotional development of youth and young adults. Recent results from our Knowledge-Attitude-Behavior survey breaks down self-perceived measures of improvement in key outcome areas, including: college/career readiness, academic enrichment, healthy behaviors, advocacy, female empowerment, and safety & belonging.
Mental Health Initiatives, Young Adult & Youth Program
As millions of children head back-to-school for in-person learning across New York City, AAFSC is leveraging all four priority areas – Prevent, Promote, Get Ready, and Communicate – to support young learners and their family members with the transition.
Young Adult & Youth Program
As the nation commemorates the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Muslim Americans remember the enduring impact of rising Islamophobia. In a recent article by the Associated Press, NYC Council Candidate Shahana Hanif shares her experience growing up in the shadow of 9/11, battling suspicion, mistrust, and nationalism – a familiar story for many Muslim New Yorker’s.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
A recent report from the Human Services Council states that ‘Community Based Organizations (CBOs) play a crucial role in addressing health-related social needs and many are prepared to engage in VBP arrangements that improve community health for all New Yorkers.’ As a contributor to this report and a long-time collaborator with Health Care Organizations in New York City, AAFSC is leveraging our position to improve health outcomes for vulnerable New Yorkers.
Community Health & Well-Being, Mental Health Initiatives
The AAFSC Research Institute’s newest report takes a deep-dive into one of our early childhood programs, The Caregiver-Child Bonding Circle. We highlight evaluation results and examine the impact of culturally-responsive early childhood intervention and caregiver support.
Caregiver Child Bonding Circle
Dissecting over 900 responses captured between March 2020 and June 2021, The AAFSC Research Institute’s Community Needs Assessment Report captures the immense and evolving impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable community members.
Community Health & Well-Being, Mental Health Initiatives
In response to COVID-19’s impact on refugee and immigrant families, AAFSC partnered with the New York City Health and Hospitals Mobile COVID-19 Clinic, Astoria Welfare Society, and Queens Together on July 28th to distribute over 120 bags of food and provide free, on-site COVID-19 vaccinations to community members outside our Brooklyn Headquarters.
Food Security Initiatives, Community Health & Well-Being
AAFSC’s COVID-19 Impact Report was recently highlighted in News4Jax, a local news agency in Jacksonville, FL. Through these findings, we’ve found that vulnerable immigrant communities have been reluctant to get tested for COVID-19 due to a disproportionate lack of medical access and immigration-related repercussions.
Community Health & Well-Being
Written by Sylvie Mayer Summer is here and is in full effect! For some, it’s like reopening their favorite chapter book; for others, it can be scary and confusing. For the past year and a…
Community Health & Well-Being
Too often, Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian populations are not counted accurately in data collection efforts, and the lack of data disaggregation in mainstream research activities renders these communities voiceless.
After years of building our capacity to measure and evaluate program outputs and outcomes, AAFSC is focusing our efforts on additional research and enhanced analysis that expands our understanding of community needs and the impact of culturally appropriate intervention, while contributing to a repository of information on populations for which there is a considerable dearth of high-quality, data-driven information.
In collaboration with research partners across New York City and beyond, AAFSC’s Research Institute publications will contribute knowledge and resources to all who seek to advance the prosperity of immigrant and refugee communities.
Stay tuned for more!
2020 was an unprecedented year for AAFSC and our communities. Read our 2020 Impact Report for a summary of the successes we accomplished with your support!
Watch our COVID-19 Impact Panel Discussion that discusses the findings of our COVID-19 Impact Report, the unique impact of COVID-19 on immigrant, refugee, and low-income communities, and solutions on how to build a healthier New York for all.
To understand the full impact of COVID-19, AAFSC invited our clients, most of whom identify as immigrants and refugees, to complete a comprehensive survey. The results of this survey will help guide and improve AAFSc’s…
Community Health & Well-Being
As a follow-up to our COVID-19 Impact Survey Report, conducted in Summer of 2020, AAFSC invited a second group of our clients to complete the survey in Winter 2021. These Round 2 results track the evolving impact of COVID-19 and highlight the lingering ramifications of this public health crisis.
Community Health & Well-Being
This World Refugee Day, the Arab-American Family Support Center stands with our community members who identify as refugees, asylees, and displaced individuals. We honor and recognize these individuals and communities throughout New York City…
AAFSC spoke with Gothamist about how community-based organizations are tackling vaccine misinformation and the importance of receiving adequate funding and resources to reach these communities.
Community Health & Well-Being
AAFSC is proud to have been selected to receive special funding from Brooklyn Communities Collaborative and Maimonides Medical Center to support COVID-19 vaccination and outreach efforts throughout Brooklyn.
Community Health & Well-Being, Racial Equity & Inclusion
Immigrants and refugees are disproportionatly impacted by COVID-19 due to compounding issues, including language barriers, lack of remote work options, and fears of impact to immigration status. AAFSC recently spoke to NPR to share what we have learned in the past year as a front-line agency.
Community Health & Well-Being, Racial Equity & Inclusion
News 12 Brooklyn stopped by AAFSC’s headquarters to learn more about how we’re supporting vulnerable community members during COVID-19.
Emergency Fund
AAFSC is proud to receive an Early Childhood grant from No Kind Hungry to help decrease food insecurity among children. This funding will help us ensure that the children AAFSC serve have the food they need to grow and thrive.
Food Security Initiatives, Community Health & Well-Being
In response to the growing need for culturally and linguistically competent service delivery, AAFSC is proud to open a new office in Queens. To celebrate the opening of the new space, the agency held a special Vision Day event in partnership with Helen Keller Institute (HKI).
Community Health & Well-Being
AAFSC was proud to receive a Brooklyn Heights Association Community Service Award through our work distributing Brooklyn Heights Together funds to marginalized Brooklynites.
Community Health & Well-Being, Racial Equity & Inclusion
AAFSC’s COVID-19 Impact Survey Report was recently highlighted in a USA TODAY article that brings attention to the impact of COVID-19 on Arab-Americans, a vulnerable community that is made invisible due to non-inclusive data collection.
Community Health & Well-Being, Racial Equity & Inclusion
Young girls and women in AAFSC’s AYWA Initiative sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to consider the detrimental effects of the “public charge” ruling on immigrant families and put an end to it once and for all.
Young Adult & Youth Program, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
This Black History Month, AAFSC is proud to stand alongside our partners, allies, and community members in honoring and recognizing Black communities in New York and across country, including Black immigrants and refugees, who, just like other immigrant populations, influence the development of the U.S.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
President Joe Biden signed three new executive orders on February 2, 2021 to roll back Trump-era regulations restricting legal immigration, reunite families, and streamline the naturalization process.
Legal Services, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
On Day 1 of the Biden Administration, AAFSC was encouraged to see a historic new plan that rolls back egregiously xenophobic policies that have sought to harm and separate immigrant and refugee families in New York and across the country.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
The federal government has agreed not to collect undocumented identification as part of the federal vaccine program following a letter from Governor Cuomo and 52 community-based organizations, including AAFSC.
Community Health & Well-Being
Governor Cuomo and a coalition of groups, including AAFSC, issued a letter to Department for Health and Human Services Secretary urging the federal administration to support underserved communities and protect undocumented immigrants in the federal COVID-19 vaccination program.
Community Health & Well-Being
Long-time AAFSC participant and young opera singer Sam Dhobhany was featured in a BRIC TV short documentary that highlights his musical journey and what inspires him.
Young Adult & Youth Program
AAFSC is proud to celebrate our very own Farah Salam, who was honored with the United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) 2020 Civic Advocacy award due to her work around the 2020 Census, Public Charge, and COVID-19.
Community Health & Well-Being, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
As New York continues to weather COVID-19, AAFSC remains on the front line providing uninterrupted service to immigrant and refugee community members. Learn more about how we’re balancing safety with presence for our clients during this crisis.
Community Health & Well-Being
AAFSC was proud to speak with the Texas Tribune about the barriers and exclusions that prevent Arab-Americans from fully participating in data collection efforts like the census.
Racial Equity & Inclusion, Civic Engagement & Know-Your-Rights
