The Arab American Civic Council is a grassroots community-based organization that strives to advance the Arab American community in Southern California by encouraging their civic participation through community organizing, advocacy, public policy, leadership development, cultural empowerment, and cultivating partnerships with other communities. We rely on your generosity to sustain our work and build a better future for the Arab American community.
Below are highlights of what we’ve accomplished with the support of our community this year!
1. Recognizing April 2019 as Arab American Heritage Month
The Arab American Civic Council once again celebrated Arab American Heritage Month at its 4th annual gala and by initiating the recognition from state and local government. For the 3rd consecutive year, the California State Senate adopted a resolution recognizing April 2019 as Arab American Heritage Month this time authored by State Senator Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar) with unanimous support. In addition to the State, the Cities of Fullerton and Anaheim, the Orange County Board of Supervisors, and the Anaheim Unified School District also recognized the month.
2. Creating opportunities for young Arab American leaders
Biane Abdulla is serving as the 2019-2020 Transformative Leaders fellow at the Arab American Civic Council to support, represent, and engage the Southern California Arab American community.
Peter Aziz served as the 2018-2019 Transformative Leaders Fellow at the Arab American Civic Council. After the conclusion of the program, he answered 6 questions about his experience as a fellow.
We conducted an Advocacy 101 workshop for members of the Students for Justice in Palestine at UC Riverside. More than 45 students joined us to receive a training on how to be better advocates on issues that matter to our community, and hold our representatives accountable.
The Arab American Civic Council hosted an event with Rep. Rashida Tlaib targeting college students in local campuses to engage in a Q & A session with the Congresswoman.
3. Beautifying a family home shelter on National Arab American Service Day
On the 15th annual National Arab American Service Day, the Arab American Civic Council partnered with Pathways of Hope OC to beautify a family shelter home in Fullerton on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Pathways of Hope OC is a local non-profit that leads community efforts to provide food, shelter, and housing to those experiencing hunger and homelessness in North Orange County.
4. Pushing for an official designation for Little Arabia in Anaheim
The Arab American Civic Council welcomes the introduction of Senate Concurrent Resolution 71 (SCR-71), which would recognize the Little Arabia District in the City of Anaheim with an official highway landmark on Interstate 5, upon local designation by the City of Anaheim or the County of Orange.
