Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) Appoints Executive Director
The ACCESS Board of Directors officially appointed Hassan Jaber executive director of the organization effective December 17, 2007. Mr. Jaber, who was formally chief operating officer, was appointed acting executive director in September 2007 after co-founder and Executive Director, Ismael Ahmed resigned to lead the State of Michigan Department of Human Services.
“Hassan’s unique mix of strategic vision, passion and discipline, combined with his intimate understanding of ACCESS, makes him the right person to become ACCESS’ next executive director,” said Fawwaz Ulaby, president, ACCESS Board of Directors.
Jaber has been with ACCESS since 1977 and helped transform ACCESS into the largest Arab American organization in the country. He has been responsible for developing social and legal programs and administering the organization’s immigration and advocacy services. He is a major proponent for the advancement of ACCESS’ development in the departments of mental and community health, employment services and job training, and his avid support for ushering in the next generation has helped to expand ACCESS’ youth and education services. His commitment and dedication has grown ACCESS into an organization that now provides 90 different economic and social service programs.
“Over the years Hassan has taken on a number of the organization’s most significant challenges and has made it both his personal mission and that of ACCESS to become the best service provider not only for the Arab American community but for everyone in need of our services,” said Ulaby.
Mr. Jaber’s roles at ACCESS vary from community and government relations, strategic planning and analysis, fund raising and development and implementation of personnel policies. He now manages an operating budget of more than $17 million and a capital budget of more than $28 million.
Mr. Jaber earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1987 and a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) in 1993, both from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
ACCESS is a human services organization committed to the development of the Arab American community in all aspects of economic and cultural life. ACCESS helps low-income families, as well as newly arrived immigrants adapt to life in America. Its goal is to foster a greater understanding of Arab Culture in the U.S. and in the Arab world. ACCESS provides a wide range of social, mental health, educational, artistic, employment, legal, and medical services, and is dedicated to empowering people to lead more informed, productive, and fulfilling lives.
For more information about ACCESS, visit www.accesscommunity.org.
