ACCESS hosts back-to-school health fair
Published on Aug 17, 2026, 3:25:00 PM
Total time: 00:04:28
Published on Aug 17, 2026, 3:25:00 PM
Total time: 00:04:28
The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, or ACCESS, is hosting its 11th annual Back to School Health Fair from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Community Health and Research Center in Dearborn.
Mona Makki, director of the ACCESS Community Health and Research Center, says the organization has hosted the event for the past decade. This year, organizers are putting an increased focus on providing essential hygiene products after hearing from families, community members and school administrators about the need.
Makki says about 2,000 people are expected to attend.
The fair will also include vision and health screenings, free haircuts for hundreds of children and other community resources.
People can RSVP by calling 313-216-2200.
The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center says its federal contract to provide legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children has ended, leaving hundreds of children without legal representation.
Last year, MIRC represented about 1,100 children. This year, the organization says it can take on only 420 cases. MIRC also expects to lose about 70 staff members in October because of the funding loss.
The organization says it will maintain offices in Detroit, Ypsilanti, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Lansing, and its other programs will continue.
Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act in 2008, establishing protections for unaccompanied children, including access to legal services. MIRC says the Trump administration sought to end federal funding that provided legal representation for unaccompanied immigrant children. Its contract with the federal government ended Aug. 1.
People can learn more about MIRC and ways to donate or volunteer.
The city of Detroit will unveil a new street sign honoring the late Imam Abdullah El-Amin, co-founder of the Muslim Center.
Abdullah El-Amin Way will be designated at Woodrow Wilson and Davison streets near the Muslim Center. Dream of Detroit, Carey Strategy Group and Legacy Story Keepers are among the organizations hosting the street-naming ceremony.
El-Amin was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and moved to Detroit when he was 7. He spent decades serving the community through interfaith efforts and other civic work.
El-Amin co-founded the Muslim Center with his wife, Dr. Cheryl El-Amin, in 1983. He served as the first executive director of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan and as a Neighborhood City Hall manager under Mayor Dennis Archer from 1994 to 2001. He was also a columnist for the Muslim Observer, an author and a provider of funeral services for Muslim families.
The unveiling will take place from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at 13148 Woodrow Wilson St.
Register for the Abdullah El-Amin Way unveiling through Dream of Detroit.
Detroit Friendship House is hosting a curated walking food festival featuring several Hamtramck restaurants, including New Palace Bakery, Polish Village Cafe, Srodek’s and Amicci’s Pizza.
Taste of Hamtramck: Take a Bite Out of Hunger will showcase the city’s culinary heritage while raising money for Detroit Friendship House programs that provide nutritious food and other resources to local families.
Tickets are $85, with proceeds benefiting Detroit Friendship House.
Taste of Hamtramck takes place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30.
Reserve a spot for Taste of Hamtramck through Detroit Friendship House.
And finally, WDET wishes a happy retirement to News Director Jerome Vaughn, creator of the Detroit Evening Report podcast.
You will be missed, Jerome, but certainly not forgotten.
The Detroit Evening Report is a three-minute daily round-up of the news that city residents need to know. Stories focus on the concerns, problems, passions and needs of Detroiters – specifically residents of color. On the weekends, we take a break from the news and spend some time with community members. Hosted by Sascha Raiyn, Jerome Vaughn, Tia Graham, Nargis Rahman, and Hernz Laguerre, Jr. Detroit Evening Report is a production of WDET, Detroit's NPR Station.