Staff Members

Nahla Kayali
Founder & Executive Director

Nahla Kayali founded Access California Services in 1998 to address the needs and concerns of the underserved Arab-American and Muslim-American communities. She is a prominent and powerful cultural figure that has her finger on the pulse of underserved communities, locally and nationally. Her activities span the breadth of the nation and the world.

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Ameera Basmadji - Funds and Research Coordinator: Ameera received her Master of Arts in Immigration and Settlement from Toronto, Canada.  Ameera comes to Access California Services with experience in serving underserved communities, particularly Arab and Muslim communities.  Ameera also has a background in fund development.  Ameera joined Access as a volunteer to help support the agency with grant writing.  Now, Ameera is a full-time staff member, and is responsible for researching and analyzing viable funding sources for Accesscal.

Ameera will also be directing The Pink Standard for Health, a program funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure (OC).  This program will bring awareness of breast health to individuals and families within the Arab and Muslim communities in Orange County. 

Kathy Rostamzadeh - Employment Coordinator, Translator, Certified Applicant Assistant (CAA): Kathy obtained her B.A. in Commerce and Business Management from Jenio University in New Delhi, India.  She is currently studying for her Masters in Criminal Justice from CSU Long Beach. Kathy assists clients with unemployment and housing. She also aids in domestic violence prevention. Kathy is fluent in Persian, Pashto and Turkish.

Sarah Wareh - AmeriCorps Member, Case Manager/CAA for Immigration Department:  Sarah graduated from CSU Fullerton with a B.A. in Human Services and has experience in working with the underserved, particularly the homeless.  She assists clients with their immigration cases.

Hanan Hasan – AmeriCorps member, Family Advocate, Certified Applicant Assistant (CAA: Hanan provides case management services to help individuals and families cope with complicated situations and to identify goals, needs and resources.  She assists with government and health application procedures as well as resources regarding health issues that clients may be challenged by such as Multiple Sclerosis. 

Maya Elasha – AmeriCorps Member, Case Manager/English as a Second Language Instructor: Maya graduated from CSU Fullerton with a B.S. in Child Development. Maya provides case management services. She assists with all government and health application procedures as well as resources. Maya also helps individuals and families manage their cases and helps them set goals. She navigates all social service programs to help them enroll in the proper programs such as: MSI, Med-Cal, Healthy Families, Housing, Shelters, Employment, SSI, and Medicare. Maya is fluent in Arabic and she directs and teaches the English as a Second Language Program.

Mahjabeen Basravi – AmeriCorps Member, Case Manager. Mahjabeen is working towards her degree in Accounting. She is tasked with the responsibility of helping Access-Cal clients navigate through different social services so that they can be enrolled in a program that best fits their needs. Mahjabeen works with applicants applying for programs like MSI, Med-Cal, Healthy Families, Housing, Shelters, Employment, SSI, and Medicare.  Mahjabeen provides case management services. She is also fluent in Urdu, Hindi, and English.

Socorro Quinones – Case Manager /After School Program Coordinator:  Soccoro is an AmeriCorps member and provides case management services in the Emergency Financial Assistance Program.  She provides individuals and families with the necessary services to reach self-sufficiency.  She also coordinates the After School Program.  Soccoro is fluent in English and Spanish.

Shahrzad Zarrabian – Family Advocate/Case Manager/Translator:  Shahrzad is an AmeriCorps member and provides case management and employment services.  She also translates social services materials from English to Farsi/Persian.  She graduated with highest honors from University of California, Berkeley and is pursuing an Executive MBA with a focus on Health Care from University of California, Irvine.  Shahrzad is fluent in English and Persian, and conversant in Armenian, and French.

Ilham Mohmmed Fitwi – Family Advocate/Case Manager: Ilham is an AmeriCorps member providing case management services and helps individuals and families enroll in various government and health programs.  Ilham is fluent in English, Arabic, and Tigrinya.

Mervat M. Zein – Case Manager/Graphic Designer: Mervat is an AmeriCorps member and provides case management services and helps individuals and families enroll in different health care coverage programs.  She also dedicates her time to Graphic Design and creates brochures and flyers for AccessCal.  She has an Associate Degree in Fine Arts as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts.  Mervat is fluent in English and Arabic.

Zina Zaidan – Case Manager for the Immigration Department:  Zina is an AmeriCorps member who assists the Attorney Akram Abusharar with immigration cases.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and has professional experience in Translation, Business, and Customer Service.  Zina is fluent in English and Arabic.