SOURCE: PRESS & GUIDE

BY: MICAH WALKER 

When life grinded to a halt in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. economy took a fall.

As automotive plants, bars, restaurants, hair salons and other businesses were forced to close, millions of Americans lost their jobs. Nonprofit organizations also took a hit, as they were unable to receive the funding needed to meet the high demand to serve the community.

The Center for Arab American Philanthropy saw that need, granting $80,000 to 19 Arab American organizations across the country last month. Dearborn-based CAAP is an institution of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), a national nonprofit dedicated to providing human services and initiatives to the Arab American community.

“As we all collectively face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Arab American organizations across the country are in need of flexible, immediate support,” said CAAP Director Maha Freij in a news release. “CAAP is proud to provide funding to these organizations that are doing incredible work in the areas of arts and culture, and direct services,” she continued.

The grants ranged from $2,000-$5,000, and served to assist nonprofits with maintaining operations and providing relief services during the pandemic. Nine of the organizations provide human services, education and advocacy efforts, while the other 10 are arts and culture organizations. One of the recipients was the National Arab Orchestra, the sole Michigan-based organization awarded.

“When there’s a pandemic, and there’s so much pain, people tend to forget easily that the arts are essential,” said Freij.

CAAP opened the application process for nonprofits in need in February. The advisory board then began looking over proposals in April, with the final decisions made in early May.

“This pandemic showed how much the marginalized communities feel the impact because if you’re a professional, you can work from home,” said Freij. “But if you’re an hourly worker, not only have you lost your income, you won’t be able to meet your most basic needs: food, paying the rent.”

The other CAAP 2020 grant award recipients include:

•Access California Services

•Access of Western New York

•Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture

•Alif Institute

•Arab American Action Network

•Arab American Association of New York

•Arab American Civic Council

•Arab American Family Services

•Arab Film and Media Institute

•ArteEast

•Center for Arabic Culture

•Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance (formerly Iraqi Mutual Aid Society)

•Mizna

•Noor Theatre

•Palestinian American Community Center

•Radius of Arab American Writers

•Syrian Community Network

•Zawaya