The Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) is a non-sectarian, government-funded, not-for-profit 501(c)3 social services agency. It is the first Arabic-speaking and culturally sensitive agency to serve the marginalized Arab immigrant community in New York City. Our mission is to develop effective strategies, through our programs and services, to strengthen families and help them adapt to life in the United States.

Description:
The Center is non-sectarian and staffed by Arabic-speaking professionals of all faiths who are sensitive to the religious, cultural and language needs of families of Arabic-speaking backgrounds. By
directing our activities toward newly arrived Arab immigrants, and by addressing the destabilizing effects of immigration, we seek to guide Arabic-speaking
newcomers through American laws and cultural norms in order to help them gain their full rights as citizens.

We offer immigration and other legal services, health services, youth programs, homework tutoring, ESL and Arabic language classes, civics classes, anti-domestic violence programs, among others.

Funding for the Center comes primarily from the City's Administration for Children's Services (ACS) and the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), as well as private foundations and individual donors who are seeking to help strengthen the Arab-
American community.

As you may well guess, centers like ours are a necessity in the current hostile climate against Arabs in our country - one of the Center's main goals is to help acculturate and assimilate Arab immigrants into the community to help them better adjust to this reality.

All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by state and federal law.

History:
The Center was founded in 1994 by Emira Habiby Browne in the American tradition of a borrowed room staffed by two social workers, in Brooklyn. The majority of Arab immigrants in New York City reside in Brooklyn, and our offices are conveniently located one block from Atlantic Avenue, historically an Arab area, and we have recently opened an office in Queens (Astoria) where a growing community of Arab-Americans reside. AAFSC's activities are directed primarily towards newly arrived Arab immigrants in the New York City area.

After September 11, the Center in fact became an oasis and safe-haven for targeted Arabs, and its programs have expanded dramatically since the tragedy. It now boasts 20 staff members and the following programs:
Individual and group counseling, domestic violence prevention services, crisis intervention and emergency assistance, administration of a discrimination survey,
immigrant healthcare access and advocacy, outreach and crisis counseling for immigration and legal services for those impacted by 9/11, and youth leadership and development services.

Contact people:

Cynthia Seay, Administrative Assistant, (718) 643-8000 , ext. 23, (email) Cynthia Seay, Administrative Assistant, (718) 643-8000 , ext. 23, (email)

Address:

150 Court Street, 3rd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201-6274 (See a map)

Directions:

Take the 2, 3, 4, 5 to Borough Hall or M, R to Court Street stations. Walk south down Court Street several blocks, past Atlantic Avenue one block to Pacific. Take the F train to Bergen Street (Smith. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 2,3,4,5,R,M,F,   Walk distance (in minutes): 7   Nearest Bus Stop: B61, B63, B75, 1 minute walk