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LAHC- Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities
Founded in 1982, LAHC – Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities began as an athletic organization in Dearborn, Michigan to provide members of the community with an outlet to connect and enjoy soccer. As Dearborn’s population increased in the 1980s, it became home to the largest concentrated population of Arab Americans in the United States.
The founding members of LAHC realized the need to expand the organization’s programs to adequately respond and address those growing needs. Since its inception, LAHC has continued to grow and develop initiatives that have expanded to serve members of the community through diverse programs and initiatives that serve children, youth, seniors and families regardless of race, religion, age, ethnicity, gender, country of origin and sexual orientation. LAHC currently serves more than 80,000 individuals annually. LAHC’s programming is multifaceted –using a holistic approach to serve community members, we provide youth development programs, scholarship opportunities, mental health services, development disabilities and autism services, nutritional education expertise and leadership, exercise and parenting programs that are tailored for women and girls, digital literacy classes, financial literacy classes, substance use disorder prevention, juvenile justice and reform, and place-based partnerships. LAHC is also a community resource for access to educational programs, workforce development opportunities, ESL classes, housing assistance and food distributions.
Importantly, LAHC is a partner to other organizations, serving as a champion and advocate for immigrants, people who are Middle Eastern and North African (MENA), Spanish-speaking people and people affected by systemic racism, xenophobia, and/or generational poverty. In 2017, LAHC purchased Saint Clements Church and Rectory building, located in East Dearborn, Michigan - home to the largest concentration of immigrants and refugees from the Middle East. LAHC invested over $2 million to rehabilitate and repurpose the 150-year-old church building, successfully transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility that welcomes community members and connects them to critical programs focused on education and youth development, public health, housing assistance, and social services. LAHC serves more than 80,000 families every year - most of whom are economically insecure and eligible for low-income services.
LAHC’s redevelopment of the church was made possible through grassroots efforts, including the time and expertise of individuals, neighborhood associations, local foundations, and private donors. These contributions - both in-kind and monetary - demonstrate how committed the Dearborn community is to the well-being of all its residents, along with the community’s trust in LAHC. Now, LAHC seeks to replicate its major success in redeveloping the church building to re-develop and transform the 6,000-square-foot rectory space into a workforce development and training hub. The project concept was developed by LAHC’s leadership, including its Board of Directors. The need for the community center continues to be affirmed by the number of people requesting WDE training and employment services. Importantly, the redevelopment of the rectory will benefit the immediate neighborhood, even during construction. The building is prone to rodent and wildlife infestations due to lack of use. Vacated buildings also present safety concerns to neighborhood residents - LAHC is located in the heart of a residential community, and the building has the potential to attract unsavory and/or illegal activities. LAHC provides security and maintenance, but the rectory is not maximizing its benefits to the community in its current state. Once activated, LAHC anticipates a safe, bright, and welcoming site for all community members. The efforts and outcomes of the programs housed within this building will lift up Dearborn’s communities, businesses, and economy. The building itself will symbolize the spirit and resilience of East Dearborn - which deserves to be celebrated, elevated, and amplified.