• Project Achievement
• Sustainable Steps Program
• Ascension's Chaldean & Arab Heritage Celebration
• 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!

Creating Mini Trampolines

in Project Achievement

Last Tuesday, our Project Achievement jumped for joy as they created mini trampolines as an engaging hands-on STEAM Activity, creating crafty mini trampolines. Students used simple materials such as rubber bands, cups, and foam circles to explore Newton's 3rd Law of Motion: every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

We'd like to thank Jennifer Yono for her CALC Kids Membership, which supported this week's Project Achievement activities.

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

Clients Taking Sustainable Steps

Towards Self-Sufficiency

We are proud to recognize five of our clients for earning their Laser Hair Removal Certification! This accomplishment will expand their job options and open up new opportunities for them.



Through our new and improved Sustainable Steps Program, we are able to cover the costs of their certification and assist our clients in finding employment while we help them with the barriers that are hindering their ability to find opportunities.

We'd like to thank to Rita at Vivid Laser for taking the time to teach and certify our clients and for helping them take the first step on their journey to self-sufficiency.

UCFS-CALC Celebrates Chaldean & Arab

Heritage Month with Ascension

Last Wednesday, our Case Managers put on their finest traditional clothing for Ascension's Chaldean & Arab Heritage Month Celebration! Hundreds of Ascension staff members gathered to learn about the rich history of the Chaldean people and got a taste of the Middle East, enjoying shawarma sandwiches, baklava, and variations of nuts and seeds.

We'd like to thank Evone Barkho from Ascension for coordinating this event to showcase our culture and bring light to our organization and its roots!

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 sat down with Weam Namou, the Executive Director of the Chaldean Cultural Center, who shared some of the rich history of Chaldeans and what it means to her.

Weam is an Eric Hoffer award-winning author of 13 books, a two-time international award-winning filmmaker, journalist, poet, Ambassador for the Authors Guild of America, and above all, a proud Chaldean.

She joined the Chaldean Cultural Center in 2019 because she was inspired to uncover hidden treasures of Chaldean history, which were buried due to wars, oppression, and genocides. Weam discovered these treasures through her work in writing and filmmaking. "I learned about our resilience and uniqueness, and that fueled a profound sense of responsibility to preserve and share the stories of our people and culture," Weam tells us.

The Land of Milk and Honey

Weam tells us that Chaldean roots trace back to ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization known as the land of milk and honey. "Some of the most significant developments or inventions credited to the Mesopotamians include writing, the wheel, agriculture, beer, sailboats, irrigation, and the separation of time into hours, minutes, and seconds (the clock)." This rich history of Chaldeans fueled Weam's sense of responsibility to share our culture's stories at the Chaldean Cultural Center and ensure they are not forgotten.

Princess Enheduanna's Ancient Artifact

Weam also shares the history of a memorable artifact, Enheduanna, the daughter of King Sargon of Akkad, which will be on display in their new museum. "She was a princess, priestess, and the first writer in recorded history. Her disk, which was discovered in 1927, is of her and her entourage," said Weam.



To learn more about the deep history and heritage of Chaldeans, visit the Chaldean Cultural Center located at Shenandoah Country Club. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities supporting the Chaldean Cultural Center are available. Please visit www.chaldeanculturalcenter.org for more information!

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