Social Services for the Arab Community (SSFAC)

About this fundraiser:
The Shihab* and Khalil families are refugees from Beirut, Lebanon. They were both affected by the explosion in August of 2020, and they fled to the United States to escape political conflict. They are currently living in a large city in Northwest Ohio with no government support, food assistance, or medical coverage.

*These families' names have been changed.

About the Shihab family:
The Shihab family has three children: two high school-aged sons and an elementary-aged daughter. The mom was a pharmacist and the dad was a butcher in Lebanon. Due to a terrorist group freezing all Lebanese bank accounts, they are only able to access $50 of their money and therefore are living in poverty. To protect these families, no real names or photos will be shared.

About the Khalil family:
The Khalil family has six children! They have three sons and three daughters. They do not have any resources, and their youngest son cannot walk. We do not know his diagnosis, but we do know that he needs daily medication and injections.

Both families' needs:
These families are living here in America as political refugees. They are unable to apply for political asylum until sometime next year. They have no access to their money in Lebanon, and are therefore living in poverty. They need food, clothing, medication, and money for rent and utilities. Funding the bare minimum for these families costs at least $2,500 per month. Because they are unable to receive asylum status until later, they are not permitted to work. And remember, this all is against the background of a global pandemic.

Our goal:
We were given $200 to give to someone in need. This money will not go very far on its own, but we believe that this can be multiplied because of your generosity. Just like the old story of the little boy offering his meager lunch to Jesus and He then multiplying it to meet the needs of the people, we offer our $200 in this same way. Our goal is to raise $20,000, which will give these families what they need for approximately 6 months.

Thank you so much for joining our family in this heart-led work! Let's surround these families with love and support by carrying their needs through this uncertain time!

With love,
The Shaw Family (Brian, Amy, Jensi, Anneli, Esty, Oliver, Zeb, Darrah Kate, Toby, Gable, Winnie, and Summerlin)

More information about Social Services for the Arab Community (SSFAC): SSFAC Empowers the local Arab Immigrant & Refugee community of Greater Toledo through direct services. SSFAC's goal is for our clients to become self-sufficient and to become a contributing member of the Greater Toledo Community.

This week a Syrian refugee SSFAC client family suffered a tragic loss.
Mr. Ali Alajrab passed away on 11/21/20 due to Covid-19, leaving his wife and two minor children.
Mr. Alajrab was the sole source of income and the family was already struggling financially before his death.
SSFAC is trying to raise $4,000 for the Alajrab family’s rent, utilities and other basic needs for the next two months.
This assistance will help provide security while the Alajrab family attempts to put their lives back together after their loss.
Refugees receive no death benefits or supplemental family assistance after a death.
One hundred percent of the funds raised will be given directly towards the Alajrab family’s needs.
SSFAC thanks you for your compassion & generosity for the Alajrab family during this difficult time.