Ever since I was a little girl, one of the final lines in my evening prayers has been, “Thank You for making me an American.” Even then, small and sheltered as I was, I sensed there was something special about this country. (I also thanked God for making me female, but that’s a topic for another day.)

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its 250th birthday, commemorating a century and a half since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Since then, America has gone through some growing pains: war, growth, hardship, and renewal, evolving into the country many of us proudly call home.

Lamya Kory believed that we are here for one reason: to learn how to give and receive love. It was a belief she spoke about often, but more importantly, it was a belief she lived. She lived life fully and invited everyone around her into it. She measured life not by possessions or achievements, but by love, connection, and the lives she touched along the way.

For many Chaldean families, caring for aging parents is more than a responsibility—it is a deeply ingrained expression of love, respect, and gratitude. Our parents and grandparents sacrificed to build better lives for their children. As they age, many families feel a strong desire to return that care. Yet today’s reality looks very different from previous generations.

We all know that prioritizing mental health is important. Paying attention to our emotional well-being is a critical part of caring for our overall health. Fortunately, conversations about mental health have become more common and less stigmatized in recent years.

Sameer “Sam” Poules didn’t grow up imagining a career in federal law enforcement, but looking back, the path now seems almost inevitable. Born in Iraq and brought to the United States at around age seven or eight, Poules spent his early years in Chicago before settling in Detroit, where he was raised. It’s the city that shaped his identity, his work ethic, and ultimately his career in law enforcement.

It has been said that owning a home is the ultimate American Dream. But for many West Bloomfield residents lately, that dream has become a nightmare. “If there is one more thing Chaldeans value besides God and family, it is the home. It’s where you raise your kids and host your relatives and friends,” said Omar Kallabat, a 31-year-old resident of West Bloomfield. “The home is sacred.”

In the same year the World Cup dominated soccer headlines, the debut of a semi-professional club team founded by  a 22-year-old Chaldean American made waves closer to home. Former high school, club, and college soccer goalie turned soccer advocate and entrepreneur Fadi Tatar of Sterling Heights is the driving force behind the Hills Club Futbol team, based in the Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, and Bloomfield Hills area.

The CCF recently celebrated the graduation of their Little Scholars Preschool and Pre-K students as they completed an important milestone in their educational journey.

Participants gathered in Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s Kitchen at CCF West to learn how to prepare Iraqi Parda Plow, a beloved Chaldean dish known for its flavorful rice, savory filling, and beautiful presentation.

In partnership with Do What You Love to End ALZ and the Alzheimer’s Association, the CCF and community members came together on Saturday, June 20 to walk to raise awareness, remember loved ones, and bring hope to those suffering from this disease.

The University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) Chaldean American Law Student Association (CALSA) Scholarship is now accepting applications.

CACC Board Member Renee Tomina, previously senior vice president of the Project Management Office, was promoted to president and chief operating officer of DTE Gas effective June 29, 2026.

Lamar Kashat was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant at the Sterling Heights Police Department on May 28, 2026, becoming the first Chaldean Lieutenant in the department’s history since its founding in 1966.

Chaldean American actor Revon Yousif appears in Disclosure Day, the highly anticipated science-fiction thriller directed by Steven Spielberg and written by longtime collaborator David Koepp.

Chaldean-American writer Dominic Anton has released Salim, a moving collection of journal entries and poetry that explores family, immigration, identity, and belonging.