In This Week's UCFS-CALC Update | |
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT UCFS-CALC | |
TIME TO GET YOUR TICKETS IS RUNNING OUT!
ENTER TO WIN TODAY!
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You only have one week left to win a brand new Small Lady Dior Bag by entering our Power of the Purse Raffle!
1st Prize: Small Lady Dior
$5,900 Value
2nd Prize: $500 Visa Gift Card
100% of proceeds support our programs, serving over 12,000 people each year!
Tickets are only $50, and the last day to purchase is NEXT Wednesday, May 8th!
Winners will be drawn on Friday, May 10th at 3:00 pm on Facebook and Instagram Live.
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Food Pantry Distributes over 23,300 Pounds of Food! | |
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Another Food Pantry Friday success! Last Friday, we had the pleasure of distributing 23,380 pounds of nutritious food to almost 1,000 clients. With the increasing need for basic necessities, we are thankful for our community members who have continued to support our food security initiative.
Thank you to the family of Nedal Kalabat Squillace for carrying on her legacy by supporting our Food Pantry as a CALC Feeds Member.
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!
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Creating Density Towers
in Project Achievement
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Last Tuesday, in Project Achievement, our students had a blast creating density towers using different liquids such as water, oil, and liquid soap.
Once they saw how less dense liquids stacked above more dense liquids, the students dropped shells into the jars to test the density of the different solutions!
Thank you to Renee Najor for sponsoring this week's Project Achievement session 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!
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Our clients enjoyed learning how to make Chicken Vegetable Stir Fry with Brown Rice last Wednesday during our Cooking With CALC session!
During the class, UCFS-CALC's Nutrition Educator discussed how participants can plan and prepare balanced, affordable meals to enjoy.
Clients also learned about the benefits of planning meals and snacks ahead of time and why planning a balanced meal by preparing a shopping list and budgeting is a great way for them to improve their diets while saving money!
To learn more about the importance of a balanced diet, please visit MyPlate.gov.
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Maternal Health Education | |
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Each month, mothers from our Maternal Health Education Program come together to learn ways to improve their health and help them through their journey of motherhood!
This month, our MHEP instructor, Dima Tolla-Hanna, discussed safe sleeping, milestones, and nutrition throughout toddlerhood to educate mothers about the development of their children.
If you’d like to support a mom with baby essentials such as a car seat or stroller, diapers, and wipes through our Maternal Health Education Program, become a CALC Moms Member Today!
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Save The Date!
Timeless Hope Gala
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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. Join us on
Thursday, September 26th, 2024
Showcase your business or honor your family to hundreds of like-minded individuals through promotions before, during, and after the event, and support over a dozen programs that UCFS-CALC offers to over 12,000 people in need each year.
Become a valued sponsor today! Contact our Events Coordinator, Melissa, at msiba@ucfamilyservices.org for more information or to customize your sponsorship.
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Mesopotamian Moves
Honoring Chaldean Heritage Month
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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, we've put a spotlight on the rich culture and strong values that we have inherited from our founders. We will continue to call upon them as we work to contribute to a more equitable community for our clients, and we look forward to the opportunity to pass them on to future generations.
As Chaldean Heritage Month comes to an end, we'd like to highlight the exceptional work ethic of Chaldean entrepreneurs in our Mesopotamian Moves Series, such as Karen Akouri and Bobby Hesano.
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Karen Akouri is the CEO of Drench Dressing and an Advisory Board member of UCFS-CALC. Her journey as an entrepreneur reflects her strong focus and passion for her craft, which drives significant growth and success.
Karen emphasizes the importance of family and mutual support within the Chaldean community. "Being Chaldean means that we are all family and always looking out for each other," she says. Her experiences show how this community has provided her with valuable opportunities and support, enabling her success. "Our Chaldean community is unified and strives to help one another succeed. I’m proud to be Chaldean!" says Karen.
From working at her family's grocery store in Oak Park, Karen learned essential business skills and determination from her parents. "I helped out with small tasks and learned the business, which ultimately led to running the business. I saw firsthand how my parents' sacrifice led to their success, and now I attribute the success of Drench to my hard work as well."
Karen advises aspiring entrepreneurs to "believe in yourself and follow your passion. Never wait for opportunities. Go after them." Her story is a great example of determination and resilience. Karen's journey truly inspires future Chaldean Entrepreneurs to go after their dreams and ideas head-on.
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Bobby Hesano is the President of D&B Grocers Wholesale & Distributors and has been a devoted supporter of UCFS-CALC for over 10 years through our special events.
Bobby’s family history traces back to 1927, when his father and five uncles immigrated to the States, establishing a legacy of entrepreneurship. Educated in Marketing and Logistics, Bobby’s passion for distribution led to the growth of D&B Grocers 33 years ago, which has since expanded across four states and employs close to 140 individuals.
Bobby takes pride in his Chaldean heritage and harps on the resilience and hard work that comes with it. Professionally, being Chaldean means embracing minority status and taking advantage of opportunities with determination. “Hard work is the foundation of our heritage as an entrepreneur. When you start your business, you have to take risks and work hard; every day is a new day,” says Bobby.
His advice to aspiring Chaldean entrepreneurs? Bobby says, “Dream big, set achievable goals, and stay committed. Embrace the relentlessness and resourcefulness of Chaldeans and understand that perseverance is key to success.”
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Mentor Available for Young Professionals looking to Transition into the Corporate World | |
Volunteer Tutors and Reading Specialists Needed for Project Achievement | |
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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.
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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
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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. | |
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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!
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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
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Questions or Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?
Contact our Events Coordinator, Melissa Siba, at
248-251-1164 or email msiba@ucfamilyservices.org
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Get in touch!
(248) 528-0130
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