AccessCal is pleased to announce the expansion of our Citizenship Education Program.

AccessCal will now be offering multiple citizenship education classes per week to advance your English language and your knowledge of civics and United States history in order to prepare for your citizenship interview and test.

To register or learn more information about our classes, please call AccessCal at (714) 917-0440.

Come join us every week, starting this Friday the 14, at 6:00 p.m. at AccessCal for our Youth Collective Program for ages 13 -19. The AccessCal Youth Collective (AYC) strives to connect young people with a deeper understanding of Arab identity, social and community engagement, and so much more.
Activities include: fieldtrips, workshops from visiting community organizations, cultural spotlight events, and thought-provoking discussions. Leveraging community leaders and educators, youth are inspired to achieve leadership, develop skills, and proudly represent the duality of being a minority in America. Refugees, second-generation immigrants, and native-born Americans are all welcome to enroll!
Please register by contacting Yasmeen Azam at (714) 917-0440 or emailing yasmeen@accesscal.org. We look forward to seeing you here!

AccessCal is accepting applications for AmeriCorps Members 2018-2019! ‪#‎americorps‬ Become a hero for your community and apply for AmeriCorps at AccessCal! If you’re interested in getting hired at AccessCal as an AmeriCorps member, send your resume to Suzanne@accesscal.org

Positions available:

Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Trainees and Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Interns: MFT and MSW Interns will have the opportunity to provide social and emotional health support to individuals and families by conducting counseling sessions and teaching community members positive coping methods.

After-School Homework assistants: This position will provide academic support to children and youth by assisting with math, English reading, writing and comprehension as well as study skills and learning strategies.

Dear Sheikh Yassir,

It has been sincerely a great pleasure to work with you in your capacity as Senior Advisor at AccessCal for the past 11 years. On behalf of the board, staff and the clients you served, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the impact you have made on the life and history of AccessCal and on me personally.

The diligence and dedication demonstrated by your character are the basis for AccessCal’s success today. The AccessCal staff has enjoyed the way you bring energy into the office, always smiling and exercising your comedic talents while focusing on your goals and responsibilities. Throughout your career at AccessCal, there were instances underlined with sentiments that posed challenges in problem solving. You and I have overcome many obstacles together from serious situations to minor ones. Your patience mixed with the determination of a true leader repeatedly demonstrated your sense of reliability and dependability in achieving triumph under all circumstances. Your strong positions on matters will be remembered in my mind because of the mannerisms you expressed so empathetically and genuinely.

Sheikh Yassir, your philosophy of assisting people in need was essential to the profound accomplishments of AccessCal and the community. You have given nothing less than unconditional support, cooperation and tireless work. You never came into work to submit calculated hours; rather, your attitude sought challenges to grasp. While your office job was crucial to the numerous cases you managed, your sacrifices of working weekends and evenings were phenomenal. You touched so many families remarkably and made a huge impression in mentoring fellow staff members, interns, and volunteers. The staff continuously expressed how eager they were to learn more from you. Your achievements hidden behind a humble attitude shaped others in a way unrecognized in other places. Because of your care for your clients, you enabled them to trust themselves in all that they do and to become all that they dream.

Sheikh Yassir, you are truly a unique, perceptive person who the AccessCal team and I will miss tremendously. I am deeply grateful for all the opportunities you have given me and for all the knowledge I have gained while having you on my team. We look forward to your visits soon. I wish you and your family much success in all your future endeavors. Thank you for being my long-term co-worker, my advisor and one of my best friends.

With sincerest appreciation,

Nahla Kayali, Founder and Executive Director

“Working with Sheikh Yassir was a thrilling adventure that helped me seek the true essence of human services. Good communication with equality and compassion were visible in his daily interactions with everyone regardless of ethnic or religious background, socioeconomic condition, mental or physical health factors. Witnessing his deep comprehension of multiple cultures, different age groups, disparate mindsets and distinct intellects will forever amaze me.

Sheikh Yassir’s sense of patience was very effective in forewarning others of harmful actions, and he relayed this in the most appealing and praise-worthy mannerisms. He was quick to pardon individuals for their shortcomings and understood their limitations. He did not like praise, but he encouraged self-care for good mental health.

I am indebted to his contributions for the improvement of the community, individuals, and colleagues, all of whom adored him. I thank you, Sheikh Yassir, for demonstrating selfless acts to help others. May you and your family be blessed with new opportunities that reciprocate your sacrifices. Salams!”

-Nedda Elhaija, Director of Operations

“Sheikh Yassir, the last two years with you have been nothing but joy and laughter. Thank you for all the trust you put in me and for being the greatest mentor and friend. You taught me many things in life, but most importantly you taught me how to give unconditionally. You’re irreplaceable.”

– Muna Brejeyeh, Mental Health Department Case Manager 

Dear Community Members,

With the new school year upon us, we have received an increase in the amount of requests for school supplies as recent immigrant and refugee children are preparing for their new classes. Basic school supplies are fundamental to learning, allowing kids to fully participate in class and complete their homework. When children know they’re fully supported and equipped for school, they can put their undivided focus towards learning and growing.

AccessCal invites you to take an active role in preparing children from less fortunate families for the school year. AccessCal is seeking new school supply donations, including backpacks, binders, notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, and pencil cases. All supplies will be distributed to students entering kindergarten through sixth grade. 

On Friday, July 1st AccssCal will be holding our annual Toys for ‪#‎Eid‬ give away. Eligible families with children ages 0 to 12 may come to Access California Services Office located at 631 S. Brookhurst Street Suite 107, in Anaheim California from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. During the day, fun games and activities will be played with the children in addition to henna and face painting.

The gifts are given on a first come first serve basis, while the event is open to all!

AccessCal is hiring!

AccessCal Accepting Applications for AmeriCorps Members 2016-2017! ‪#‎americorps‬ Become a hero for your community and apply for AmeriCorps at AccessCal! If you’re interested in getting hired at AccessCal as an AmeriCorps member, bring your resume and attend AccessCal’s AmeriCorps orientation on Friday, July 12, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

Send your resumes to RaniaS@accesscal.org

AmeriCorps training includes:

Health Access Services
Employment Services
Educational Enrichment Services
Social and Emotional Health Support

YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY!

Job Description
Job Title: Community Outreach Organizer
Organization Name: Access California Services
Supervisor Title: Director of Public Affairs
Number of Positions: 1
Hours Per Week: 10-20
Schedule: May include weekends and evenings

Job Duties:
• Assist Director of Public Affairs with planning, scheduling and attending outreach activities
• Responsible for outreach related data entry
Requirements:
Experience in non-profit work or volunteer experience is preferable. Knowledge of the Arab and Muslim-American communities is ideal. College student or recent graduate preferred. Must have a valid CA driver’s license and access to a reliable car. Expect some heavy lifting related to outreach activities.