Charitable Arm of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce

Karim Khamarko Memorial Scholarship Fund

Established in 2012 in honor of Karim Khamarko, who was murdered in 2010 in his place of business, the fund gives scholarship assistance to Chaldean American high school students who have demonstrated academic success, involvement in school and community and a positive attitude in life and toward fellow students while facing financial difficulties in financing an education.

Number of available awards: 1 given out annually in early December.

Scholarship Criteria:

Minimum GPA of 3.0
Must be Chaldean
Special consideration will be given to applicants who have overcome challenges or faced a disability or health condition
Personal traits of optimism, determination, courage and a zest for life
Family facing financial hardship

To qualify, applicants must submit the following essay question by December 1: What challenge(s) have you overcome in your life that has made you the person you are today? And what steps have you taken to turn those challenges into a positive outlook?

Contact Vivian Denha at vkhamarko@yahoo.com to submit an application or for more information.

Facts about the Chaldean Community:

Launched in 2006 as the charitable arm of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, the CCF was established to address the rising Iraqi refugee crisis.

The Chaldean Community Foundation provides a multitude of services including housing assistance, English as a second language training, immigration consulting, and employment assistance and training.

The Chaldean Community Foundation services more than 6,000 people each fiscal year.

The Chaldean Community Foundation funds a variety of charitable programs. Because of the support of our members, the foundation has donated more than $300,000 to good works.

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the Chaldean Community Foundation has established a Refugee Emergency Fund.

The Foundation hosts two major events throughout the year: the annual community Golf Outing and the Chaldean Festival, held in conjunction with the City of Southfield.

The Chaldean Community Foundation has provided more than $300,000 in charitable contributions to various organizations where Chaldeans live, work and worship.

The Foundation has supported and been a part of several initiatives, including workplace development, economic development, refugee assistance, cultural competency training and charitable giving.

The Chaldean Community Foundation provides cultural competency training to corporations and municipalities providing a brief history, an overview of Chaldean culture, faith and language, and the contributions of the community in the United States.

The recent Iraq war has threatened the permanent removal of Chaldeans from their ancestral homeland.

Latest Happenings

Refugee Mental
Health Services

Supplies much-needed mental health services to Iraqi refugees and others in Southeast Michigan

Refugee Acculturation & Sustainability Training

Helps refugees of the Iraq War and subsequent religious persecution to acculturate and become less dependent on federal and state subsidies and services

Breaking Barriers

Provides assistance and advocacy to the disabled.

Chaldean Loan Fund

Provides low-interest loans to help refugees purchase a car.

Project
Bismutha

Provides free or reduced cost healthcare to Iraqi Christian and Chaldean refugees without medical insurance though the Chaldean American Association of Health Professionals (CAAHP)

Waad Murad
Advocacy Fund

Offers a cash reward up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the assailant(s) of violent crimes perpetuated against businesspeople

Karim Khamarko Memorial Scholarship Fund

Established in 2012 in honor of Karim Khamarko, who was murdered in 2010 in his place of business, the fund gives scholarship assistance to Chaldean American high school students who have demonstrated academic success… Read more