The Arab-American Family Support Center ("AAFSC") is the first social service agency in New York to target the marginalized and underserved community of Arab immigrants. We are located in Brooklyn, where the majority of Arab immigrants reside, but we serve all Arab-Americans in New York City. Our activities are directed towards newly arrived Arab immigrants, and our main purpose is to strengthen families and to help them adapt to life in the United States. AAFSC addresses the countless social and economic barriers that face the growing population of Arab immigrants. The Center is non-sectarian and is staffed by Arabic-speaking professionals of all faiths who are sensitive to the religious, cultural, and language needs of Arab immigrant families. AAFSC provides counseling and family support services, legal and immigration services, youth and education programs, English language classes, and Arabic literacy classes. We also provide a range of auxiliary services including information/referral services as well as advocacy and translation/interpretation. The needs of the Arab-American community are immense. While Arab immigrants have been settling in New York for over a hundred years, their social service needs have been largely neglected. By addressing those needs, encouraging positive leadership, and promoting a stronger, more united Arab-American community, AAFSC seeks to help Arab-Americans share more fully in the life of their communities and reap the benefits of the American dream.
Mission Statement
AAFSC provides comprehensive social services to Arab-American families and children, and helps Arabic-speaking immigrants adjust to a new culture. Established in 1993, AAFSC's programs, services and activities address the special needs of the Arab immigrant population in the New York City area. Our goal is to help Arab-speaking families better understand American laws and cultural norms to allow them to share more fully in community life. AAFSC addresses cultural and language barriers, encourages positive leadership, and promotes a stronger and more united Arab-American community. AAFSC is a vital and relevant institutional presence not only for the valuable social services it provides but also for the voice it has given to the Arab-American community. Since the events of September 11th, Arabs and Muslims in the United States have been targeted purely on the basis of their ethnicity and religion. They have been singled out for selective enforcement of immigration laws and other types of racial profiling. Members of community lives in a general state of anxiety and fear as families are threatened with separation from husbands and fathers through deportations and detentions. Students experience discrimination and harassment at school and shop owners have suffered a significant decline in revenue. Throughout this period, AAFSC has demonstrated a unique ability to mobilize on an organizational level in order to respond to backlash and discrimination. We have expanded our programs in critical areas - outreach, mental health, youth development, and legal services - to provide the Arab immigrant community with a range of social support programs and to serve as one of the community's leading advocates.
The Details
- Address 150 Court Street, 3rd FloorBrooklyn, NY 11201
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Contact
- Christine Moore Vassallo
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Phone
- 718-643-8000
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Fax
- 718-797-0410
- Website
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Interest Area
- Children & Youth, Education & Literacy, Immigrants & Refugees, Justice & Legal, Women
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