Charitable Arm of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce

Refugee Acculturation and Sustainability Training

The Foundation first received funding from the State of Michigan Department of Community Health in October 2010 for a new initiative, Refugee Acculturation Sustainability and Training (RAST). The program aims to solve the major issues impacting today’s Iraqi refugee population including transportation, housing, job placement, language development, mental health, immigration, social and government program directives, and basic necessities. The goal is to this population assimilate and become less dependent on government subsidies and services.

RAST assists refugees with some of the major hurdles they face as they start over in the United States and has partnered with Macomb Community College for language development and Bank of Michigan to establish the Chaldean Loan Fund. The Chaldean Loan Fund will also provide business loans, which are privately donated to assist in establishing credit and investing in small businesses.

The language barrier: RAST links refugees to English as Second Language classes that also include a practical work component.

Transportation: With its limited public transportation network, getting around is a key problem for the newcomers. RAST is establishing a Chaldean Loan Fund for refugees to obtain low interest loans for the purchase of used vehicles, providing them the opportunity to and establish credit.

Securing housing: RAST is linking clients with resources to help them identify and connect with various housing solution providers. The Foundation is also developing a long-term plan to assist with housing solutions.

Finding a job: RAST has established a job bank where businesses receive referrals about potential employees, many of whom speak only minimal English.

Launching a business: A Chaldean Loan Fund is being created to help entrepreneurs start a small business.

In March 2011, RAST opened an office in Sterling Heights in Macomb County, where most refugees live. Included in the facility is a computer lab where individuals have access to free Internet services for educational, business, social and job searching purposes.

RAST is working on long-term solutions for the refugees who are here now, and is being proactive to the future needs of upcoming refugee populations. CAAHP’s Project Bismutha is also housed in the Sterling Heights office.

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

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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

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Breaking Barriers

Provides assistance and advocacy to the disabled.

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Chaldean Loan Fund

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

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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)

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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

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Karim Khamarko Memorial Scholarship Fund

baba3 (2)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