Past and Present Accomplishments of Access of WNY Inc. 

Citizenship Filing

• Provide Clients with all study materials such as, audio cd, 100 citizenship questions in both Arabic and English.
• Provide Citizenship Classes, currently for women only.
• 20 citizenship applications filled
• 15 received citizenship
• 10 received fee waiver, FREE!
• 3 applications still pending, sent recently
• 2 have not submitted applications due to personal reasons

 National Arab American Service Day 2008

• A national grassroots movement of Arab American Organization from around the USA all partake in conducting a community service project with the intent to build bridges by ~”Serving Communities~Connecting People”~
• 60 volunteers, majority them were children aging 6-15, cleaned debris from the shore of Woodlawn Beach.  Enjoyed a picnic and games after the clean up.

 Women’s Dinner “Empowerment through Education”

• Stressed the importance of Education and being active in your child’s education.
• Recognized all active ACCESS Volunteers
• Honored Class of 2008 Graduates
• Award Ceremony for Arabic Language Program Students
• Students performed Yemeni Songs and Dance in Traditional Attire
• Fundraised through basket raffles and bazaar

 Breast Cancer Awareness Seminars

• Partnered up with International Institute Roswell park to provide a free Breast Cancer Awareness Seminar in Arabic along with Arabic Literature.  Uninsured clients received free mammograms, pap smears, and cervical exams.
• Approx. 40 attendees

 “Know your Rights at Home and at the Border” Seminar

• Volunteer Lawyers Project-Sofie Feal- along with an Arabic Translator explained what to do and what to avoid when being questioned by law enforcement at home or while traveling.
• Approx. 25 attendees

 2008 Summer Youth Program

• Included Arabic Language Studies
• Approx 70 Children Attended 5 days a week
• Provided lunches through City of Lackawanna Lunch Program
• Kids went on fun, educational, and safe field trips: UB, Bowling, Skating, Family Fun Day at Darien Lake, and a Family Beach Picnic 

Cultural Arts-Arabic Language Program

• Expanded our Arabic Language Program by 50%
• Currently 90 children enrolled in Levels I – Level V
• Use visual and audio for an improved comprehension of sight and sound
• Instructors use flash cards, posters, coloring sheets and songs to improve memory
• The kids actually LOVE learning Arabic!

 2009 Martin Luther King Day of Service

• Partnered with Habitat for Humanity to restore a 100 year old home on Buffalo’s East side for a low income family.
• Gutted walls, ceiling, removed furniture, carpet and doors.

25 total volunteers, 10 ACCESS Volunteers