LAHC enjoyed a busy and fulfilling end to 2024 with events celebrating the season of love and giving.
As part of our ongoing mission to empower communities and improve the well-being of Southeast Michigan residents, LAHC organizes and supports various programs throughout the year to foster educational growth, social connectivity, and economic stability for our community.
Our 2024 holiday season events included our annual Turkey Drive, Santa stops, and Christmas shopping event with Walmart.
Join us as we recap these joyous events and look ahead to the coming months.
Giving thanks and giving back: A recap of LAHC’s annual Turkey Drive
LAHC once again partnered with Walmart to distribute turkeys, food boxes, and other essential items to families in need at our 18th Annual Turkey Drive on Nov. 23.
This event was open to the public, and goods were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
We have proudly held this event for 18 years, giving away over 15,000 turkeys and other items to the community. We are thankful for our partnership with Walmart, which allows us to continue this tradition of serving our community.
Santa on Patrol: LAHC and local sheriffs deliver surprise gifts during traffic stops
Routine traffic stops turned into “Santa Stops” on Dec. 11 and 14 thanks to a collaborative effort between LAHC, Kroger, and the Wayne County and Genesee County sheriff’s offices.
Drivers in Wayne and Genesee counties pulled over expecting a ticket and instead were surprised with $250 Kroger gift cards just in time for the holidays.
The idea took root 12 years ago when LAHC launched this effort to help build bridges and support families in the community.
“We see this as a wonderful opportunity to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the community,” LAHC CEO Wassim Mahfouz said about the event. “At LAHC, we are committed to building trust and supporting those who need it most.”
More than $10,000 in Kroger gift cards were distributed during these stops.
Celebrating the spirit of giving: LAHC’s annual holiday shopping event with Walmart and TIPS
LAHC proudly partnered with Walmart and Teen Infant Parent Services (TIPS) from the Methodist Children’s Home Society for the third year to help families in need shop for Christmas.
Walmart supplied $250 gift cards to 16 families and helped them shop throughout the store.
LAHC team members wrapped the presents and supplied refreshments, and Santa Claus appeared to spread holiday cheer to the families.
The annual shopping event celebrates community, generosity, and the season’s spirit.
What’s next for LAHC?
LAHC is always hard at work in our community. Here is some of the latest news involving our organization.
LAHC offers Narcan porch box
LAHC now has a Narcan porch box located inside the building at 5275 Kenilworth St., Dearborn, MI 48126.
Narcan/naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.
This resource is located between the front doors, and is stocked with:
- Narcan (naloxone)
- Fentanyl testing strips
- Bilingual Arabic and English informational resources
The porch box operates on a walk-in, no-questions-asked basis, allowing anyone in need to access Narcan and supporting materials.
LAHC has partnered with the Wayne County Department of Health, Human, and Veteran Services and the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice (CBHJ) at Wayne State University to bring the box to our community.
To learn more about Narcan, please visit this website: Wayne County – Opioid Harm Reduction.
Free drug and alcohol testing kits available for parents through Dearborn Police Department
The Dearborn Police Department is providing drug and alcohol testing kits to parents who fear their children may be using these substances.
The Parental Evaluation Resource Kits (PERK) include:
- 5-panel drug and alcohol test
- Nicotine testing kit
- Resources and contact information for LAHC and the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS)
The at-home tests offer instant results. Parents can get the discrete kits from the DPD lobby 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Check out LAHC’s resources on our ACT Drug Free Community Coalition page.
LAHC: Who we are and what we do
Our mission at Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities (LAHC) is to empower communities one family at a time by advancing the educational, social, health, and economic well-being of Southeast Michigan residents.
Our organization began in Dearborn in 1982 as the Lebanese American Heritage Club and was meant to provide an outlet for the community to connect and enjoy soccer.
Since its inception, LAHC has expanded to serve more than 56,000 individuals annually, including individuals and families of all ages, races, religions, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and countries of origin.
Our programming uses a holistic approach to serve the community, and includes:
- Youth development programs
- Scholarship opportunities
- Mental health services
- Autism services
- Nutritional education expertise
- Workforce development opportunities
- Maternal health
- ESL classes
- Housing assistance
- Digital and financial literacy classes
- Substance use disorder prevention
- Juvenile justice and reform
- Place-based partnerships
We also are 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 generational poverty.
To learn more about our programs, browse our website or call us at 313-846-8480.