• Project Achievement
• Food Pantry
• Cooking With CALC
• In Honor of Darrin Denha
• Win A Dior Bag!
• Timeless Hope Gala

• Mesopotamian Moves
• Become a 2024 Member
• WBI's Mentorship
• Food Pantry Volunteers
• Help Provide Basic Needs
• We pick up furniture!

Sweet Rover!

Who knew NASA's work could be so sweet? Last Tuesday, our Project Achievement students drafted and crafted edible Mars Rovers! Students first used graphing paper to sketch their rover design plans and used materials like Twizzlers, crackers, Reeses, and marshmallows to bring their designs to life. Students also got to compete against each other to see who made the most effective and elaborate rover!

We'd like to thank Dany Namou for being a dedicated volunteer of this program and for supporting this week's Project Achievement activities as a CALC Kids Member!

If you’d like to sponsor a week of Project Achievement or youth sports, become a CALC Kids Member today!

Food Pantry Distributes

Over 16,400 Pounds Of Food

Rain or shine, we’re ready to serve our clients in need! Last Friday, UCFS-CALC served 970 individuals over 16,400 pounds of food, including proteins, fresh produce, desserts, and more!

A special thank you to The Attisha Cousins for sponsoring this week's food pantry and for coming out to volunteer along with OU CASA and the Organization of Exonerees.

If you'd like to sponsor a Food Pantry Friday, click here to become a CALC Feeds Member today. CALC Feeds Memberships are limited, so don't wait!

Cooking With CALC

Last Wednesday, our clients got their hands dirty and made delicious fruity muffins with a healthy twist! This easy 12-minute recipe incorporated whole wheat flour and organic blueberries, which are a great source of antioxidants.

Our nutrition educator encouraged participants to make nutritious choices to promote strong bones and healthy weight. Clients learned about the importance of limiting high added-sugar foods and how to locate added sugars on a food label!

In Honor Of Darrin Denha

We'd like to thank the family and friends of Darrin Denha for their tremendous support by donating tomato paste, tomato sauce, and pasta to our food pantry!

Darrin's sister, Dina Denha-Antoon, approached us with the idea to honor her brother's memory by giving back to the community he loved. She shared the mission on social media, inspiring friends and family to contribute to this meaningful cause.

This effort truly showed the strength of our community and the impact Darrin had on so many lives. We are touched by the support and thankful for the opportunity to continue Darrin's legacy of generosity. Thank you to everyone who participated in his honor. Darrin's spirit lives on through your kindness and compassion.

Win a Dior Small Lady Bag!

I spy with my little eye... a Small Lady Dior Bag that could be yours!



For $50, you can enter our Power of The Purse Raffle, where you will have a chance to be the owner of a brand new Small Lady Dior Bag. Our lucky second-prize winner will receive a $500 Visa Gift Card.

Winners will be drawn on Friday, May 10th at 3:00pm on Facebook and Instagram Live.

Save The Date!

Timeless Hope Gala

Each year, our annual Timeless Hope Gala brings our community together in support of UCFS-CALC's programs and services that help our community members in need achieve self-sufficiency. Last year, guests had an absolute blast at our Oktoberfest Timeless Hope Gala! This year, we are bringing the heat with our upcoming Havana Nights Timeless Hope Gala on

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Guests will enjoy live entertainment, dinner, a premium open bar, a live auction, raffles, and much more. We hope that you are as excited as we are! Get ready to make an impact while connecting with others in the community. Sponsorship opportunities are now available! Please contact our Events Coordinator, Melissa, msiba@ucfamilyservices.org.

April marks Chaldean Heritage Month! In 1961, CALC was founded by Chaldean women, driven by a mission to better the community from which they came. Without the hard work, resilience, and FAITH of our Chaldean founders, UCFS-CALC would not be where it is today. This month allows us to highlight the rich values and culture we inherited from the past, enjoy them in the present, and pass them on to future generations.

We are honored to highlight Nadia Atisha for our Mesopotamian Moves series. Nadia is a devoted UCFS-CALC Board Member. She dedicates much of her time to serving on committees for our fundraising events and currently runs an initiative called Clothes for a Cause, where she uses donations to purchase new clothing for our clients.

Her journey to America began in the early 70s when she, at the age of 13, and her family left Baghdad, hoping for a brighter future.

Settling in Detroit, Nadia and her family faced the challenges of adjusting to a new culture. Nadia recalls, "Life was difficult coming to the States, especially because of the language barrier." However, with her brother's determination, she received an education, even in the face of hardship, "My brother was able to put me through Catholic school, even though it was hard for others to accept Middle Easterners at the time."

As she discussed her upbringing, Nadia reflected on the resilience rooted in Chaldean culture," I developed my hard work ethic by watching my parents and brothers selling freshly made bread and milk from the farm to families living in apartment buildings back home." Despite these challenges, Nadia remains proud of her heritage, "It's nice to see how our culture and background are now accepted and appreciated in the community. I am proud to be Chaldean!"

Pictured is a beautiful photo of Nadia making a traditional Chaldean delicacy, Dolma, along with her family, which demonstrates the culture (and recipes) that still live on today!

Throughout her journey, Nadia witnessed the Chaldeans become more self-sufficient over the years, leaving a direct impact on the communities that they're involved in, whether in their work, family, or social life. "We are still family-oriented, hardworking, and tight-knit. Although the culture has changed slightly, we still keep the same core values: faith and family." As we honor Chaldean American Heritage Month, Nadia's story exemplifies the journey and values of the Chaldean American community.

UCFS-CALC is seeking volunteer tutors and reading specialists for our Project Achievement afterschool tutoring program. Help children improve their reading skills, academic performance, and their future!

Volunteers are needed on Tuesdays, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

If you would like to get involved with Project Achievement, please reach out to Arjan Kallou at

(248)528-0262 or at akallou@ucfamilyservices.org.

Dress warm and comfy, and show up ready to work! We'll have you fill out a short form when you get here, and that's it!



The Sharehouse Food Pantry is located at

2033 Austin Drive in Troy

Make a donation to a program of your choice or a general donation to be used where it's needed most. Our community's trust in us and our mission make it possible for UCFS-CALC being able to continue to serve our neighbors in need with dignity and hope.

While we do accept gently used items in our Sharehouse, we provide our Clients with brand-new items as well. We do this for many reasons, such as the longevity of the item or for hygiene purposes, but most importantly, because our Clients deserve a dignified experience.

You can help us do this by purchasing new items from our Wishlist below, where they'll ship directly to us. Click the button below and share with your friends and family!

1. Create a digital account

2. Link your Card to UCFS-CALC

Search for "Chaldean American Ladies of Charity"

3. Your Kroger purchases support UCFS-CALC

Questions or Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?

Contact our Events Coordinator, Melissa Siba, at

248-251-1164 or email msiba@ucfamilyservices.org