The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) will pay a special tribute to Freedom House, a temporary home for survivors of persecution from around the world who are seeking legal asylum in the United States and Canada, at its ninth annual Judges Night reception on Thursday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. The event, which is by invitation only, will be held at Byblos Banquet Center, 7258 Chase Road, Dearborn. WDIV Channel 4 anchorwoman Sandra Ali will serve as the event's mistress of ceremonies.
Freedom House is the only organization in the country that provides all the services needed by refugees, including legal, medical, mental health, education, job training and transitional housing. In the last year Freedom House has provided services to refugees from dozens of countries, including Iraq, Iran, Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Cameroon.
ADC is recognizing Freedom House for its long history of collaborative partnerships with Michigan's leading Arabic and Chaldean organizations, among them ADC, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services and Arab American and Chaldean Council. "Freedom House has been a true leader, and the services it has provided over the past years speak for themselves," said Imad Hamad, ADC regional director. "This special tribute is our way of saying 'thank you.'"
The purpose of ADC's Judges Night reception is to recognize and award local judges whose work in upholding civil rights has been exemplary. This year's Guardian of Justice Award recipients are Wayne County 20th District Court Judge Mark Plawecki, and Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Annette Berry.
Deborah Drennan, Freedom House executive director, is thrilled that Freedom House is being recognized at the event. "Imad, his staff, and ADC supporters have done tremendously important work in the community, especially at a time when civil rights have been eroding," said Drennan. "To be publicly recognized by such a prestigious and hard-working organization is truly an honor."
Freedom House, which was established in 1983, will hold its annual fundraising dinner on Thursday, Nov. 11, 6 p.m. at the Max M. Fisher Center Music Box. Drennan said she cannot overemphasize how crucial funds raised from the annual dinner are to continue providing services to those in dire need. "This year our fund-raising dinner is more important than ever as Freedom House, like so many non-profits in Detroit's challenging economic environment, is facing a serious budget shortfall. We already have been forced to cut services to our clients and are depending on a successful annual dinner to help us close the gap."
For information on Freedom House and its annual dinner, visit www.freedomhousedetroit.org.
Published: Tue, Oct 19, 2010
