Many Chaldeans immigrate to the United States and aspire to obtain a green card for themselves and their families; however, sometimes they forget or neglect to apply for U.S. citizenship once they qualify. This could be a huge mistake.
Traditionally, it has been rather difficult for the U.S. government to take away a green card, but more recent Acts of Congress have made it easier for them to do so.
Read MoreA commission is looking to place a historical marker on 7 Mile Road, commemorating the businesses and people that contributed to a thriving neighborhood that was so popular it earned the distinction, “Chaldean Town.” We will be publishing photos from that historic era all this summer. The photos on this page were submitted by Heather Boji.
Read MoreAt 20 years and 4 months, she may be the youngest graduate at Grand Valley State University. Before entering college Sierra Gulli graduated from high school (during the pandemic) Summa Cum Laude (“with highest honor”). She also received an International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Awarded a National Academy of Future Physicians Award of Excellence and the GVSU Award for Excellence, Sierra studied abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica during the summer of 2022 and completed a comprehensive comparison of the healthcare systems in Costa Rica and the US. She was the founder of Mu Epsilon Delta and the president of the Arab Culture Club.
Read MoreThis edition of the Chaldean News has been a special pleasure to put together. The Chaldean community here in Michigan is such a vibrant and generous group and reliving some of the history of Chaldean Town’s “glory days” has been a particular treat. Everyone has memories, it seems, that they’d like to share.
Although the history of the community here has its heartache, sometimes a painful past can lead to immeasurable joy. I have personally had that experience recently, and I can tell you that it is worth it. Tears of pain can be transformed into those of gratitude and when the wounds heal, the heart rejoices!
Read MoreApril is Stress Awareness Month, an ideal time to check in on how we are doing and to set some healthful goals as we ‘spring forward.’ Stress is a term that people often use to describe a feeling of pressure, strain, or tension. People often say that they are “under stress” or feel “stressed out” when they are dealing with challenging situations or events. Everyone encounters stressful situations.
Read MoreWhen Fadi Y. Sitto found his calling, the switch was immediate. He would stop writing articles for magazines and press releases for corporate firms. He had no choice but to follow where his heart pulled him. He would become a poet.
Read MoreThe First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Online Film Festival is proud to present The Great American Family, a documentary that sheds light on the injustices of the American criminal justice system. Directed, written, and produced by Weam Namou, this film tells the story of Dawn Hanna, who was sentenced to six years in federal prison for having conspired to send telecom equipment to Iraq during the sanctions.
Read MoreTommy Gasso, Senior VP of Commercial Lending for Community Financial Credit Union was named one of Crain’s Detroit Business 2023 Notable Leaders in Commercial Banking. Gasso joined Community Financial Credit Union in 2013, and in less than 10 years, grew its collective commercial portfolio from $20 million to $220 million, a sizable figure for the metro Detroit-based credit union.
Read MoreIsn’t it time we come together to talk about mental health and substance abuse issues? On Wednesday, May 17 at 7PM, Peter’s Angels presents Overcoming the Shame and Stigma Around Addiction. This panel discussion includes Janie Shina, clinical liaison, Rony Foumia, pharmacist, and Iklas Bashi, a clinical therapist. The event takes place at Mother of God Church following Confession at 5PM and Mass at 6PM. All donations go toward opening a rehab center.
Read MoreThe Ken Aro-Wiwa (KSW) Memorial Foundation is hosting a fundraiser to help the orphans of Ogoni, Nigeria on May 10, 2023, at Regency Manor in Southfield. The ‘Night of Hope’ will help kickstart funding for the building of a new orphanage to house victims of crisis, war, and natural disaster. The goal of the fundraiser is to raise $250,000. The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.8 million. More information is available at kansarowiwamf.org.
Read MoreUnusually cold temperatures did not put a damper on Assyrian, Chaldean, and Syriac celebrations of Akitu, the Assyrian-Babylonian New Year, in the Kurdistan Region on Saturday. Akitu marks the revival of nature in the spring and the ancient festival was dedicated to the rebirth of the ancient Mesopotamian god Marduk and his victory when he created the world out of chaos.
Read MoreFor decades now, Mosul’s Christians haven’t been able to worship in their churches because their city was racked with insecurity and violence. But on Sunday, April 2, 2023, Holy Mass was celebrated at the Monastery of Saint Michael for the first time in more than 20 years. It was officiated by Archbishop Najib Mikhael Moussa, who was overjoyed to be able to conduct the service there.
Read MoreThe Learn with a Leader program, a partnership with the Chaldean Community Foundation and Wireless Vision, continued last month with a session focused on Creating Vision and Purpose as a Leader. It also included a presentation from CCF President Martin Manna about his personal journey. Future sessions for the program will detail important leadership skills and topics about Leading Culture, People Intelligence, and much more. The CCF is proud to partner with Wireless Vision to support our next generation of leaders.
Read MoreCCF’s Sharon Hannawa and Susan Smith were recognized by Habitat for Humanity Macomb at their Annual Women’s Luncheon on April 19 at the Italian American Cultural Society. The event focused on Women of Courage, with stories featuring some of the communities most courageous and brightest women. Sharon and Susan were instrumental in helping a family gain extra resources and led to a partnership between Habitat for Humanity-Macomb and the CCF.
Read MoreAs the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 20th year, the philanthropic arm of the Chamber, the Chaldean Community Foundation, reaches across Woodward to establish a presence on the ‘west side.’ The Corners, a property at Walnut Lake and Inkster Roads next to Market Square, will become the new Chaldean Community Center, housing administrative offices for the Foundation, Chamber offices, a gymnasium, a television and radio studio, classrooms, an amphitheater, and much more.
Read MoreALQOSH, Iraq — On 4 April, the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people of Alqosh, located in northern Nineveh Plains in Iraq, held the Alqosh Market Festival. The event was attended by residents from other regions and Alqosh residents who came from the diaspora.
Read MoreIn 2017, the Trump administration escalated the deportation of Iraqi nationals, including many who had lived in the metro Detroit area for decades. These individuals had been convicted of felonies in the past, preventing them from becoming US citizens. They were here legally, but America under Trump didn’t want them.
Read MoreSonya Jamil was born just outside Baghdad, but her family moved here when she was very young – she can’t remember anything before the States. If she had grown up in the Middle East, her life would be very different, and she certainly wouldn’t have been the first Chaldean woman to become a law enforcement officer for Macomb County.
Read MoreIn this land of opportunity, you accept all help that comes your way. Scholarships are the path many immigrant students take to find their way to that ‘Holy Grail’ of a higher education degree. Scholarships, in varying shapes and sizes, are available to everyone, but students at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights may have a leg up when it comes to applying, thanks to the Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars Program.
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