AUGUST 2005

CALC corner
NOTE from the
PRESIDENT
This past spring, I had the opportunity
to experience firsthand the
impact of the Chaldean
Strengthening Families
Program. My children
and I enrolled to
participate in the West
Bloomfield Program
and attended weekly
Clair Konja
with other area families.
It is a truly valuable
program and I strongly recommend
it to all parents with children
between the ages of 10-15. I now
understand better the stress and
pressures that my children go
through and how I can communicate
with them to help through their
adolescent years. After this program,
I feel that we understand
each other much better. It was a
satisfying and beneficial experience
for both me and my children. The
CALC continues to provide programs
for youth and parents that are
intended to strengthen Chaldean
families. Read on to gain more
information about these programs.
Also of importance to our community
will be the new Medicare
Prescription Drug Program for seniors.
The new program, scheduled
to begin on January 1, 2006, is
multifaceted and involves understanding
which type of medical
insurance for prescription drugs is
best suited for you. CALC staff
was recently trained to act as counselors
to our community to provide
them with needed information to
make informed choices in this area.
Look for more details about this new
prescription drug program in later
CALC page editions of the
Chaldean News.
We hope that you and your
family are enjoying a safe and
happy summer.
STRENGTHENING CHALDEAN
FAMILIES PROGRAM CONTINUES
The CALC wrapped up its Southfield and West Bloomfield SCF
Programs and began its Troy SCF Program in June. The Troy
SCF Program is serving more than 25 youth and their parents.
The Southfield SCF Program was visited by Officer John
Hunter from the Southfield K-9 Unit, who brought his dog
Dewa to inform participants about drug detections and preventions.
He said Dewa has been trained to guard him and to
find and hold suspects. Officer Hunter stated that he and his
dog work as a team because they must trust and understand
each other completely when working in stressful, even dangerous,
and often rapidly changing situations. Dewa has an
outstanding sense of smell
and is trained to follow scent
trails or to detect certain
kinds of odors. He is also
trained in tracking suspects,
finding missing persons, and
detecting drugs or explosives.
Officer Hunter provided
a great deal of information
about the dangers of drugs,
and how children get involved
in drug use and gangs. He
also gave parents and children
important preventative
measures on how to avoid
these negative situations.
Both youth and adults fully
enjoyed the presentation.
Our West Bloomfield
Program was completed in
June and attracted over 25
youth who attended with their
parents. During the program
PARENT COMMENTS:
• “I learned that it is important
to stay calm and not yell or
shout when I don’t like what
my child is doing. I try to think,
cool down and then react.”
• “I have learned to a better
listener.”
• “My child loved the fact that
we were there with them during
this program.”
YOUTH COMMENTS:
• “The most important thing I
learned during the program
was NOT to do drugs.”
• “I learned about the dangers
of drugs, alcohol, peer
pressure, and that my parents
are caring and loving.
• “When is your next program?”
they were visited by DARE Officer Bridgett Ryan from the
West Bloomfield Police Department who spoke about drug
and drug prevention. CALC Board Member Rita Kainaya also
provided information about gangs. All SCF participants
responded positively to the program.
The SCF involves weekly two-hour sessions for parents
and youth who attend separate skill-building groups for the
first hour and spend the second hour together in family-directed
activities. Youth sessions focus on strengthening family
ties, goal setting, dealing with stress and strong emotions,
communication skills, increasing responsible behavior, and
improving skills to deal with peer pressure. Parents discuss
the importance of both showing love to their youth while at the
same time setting appropriate limits. Topics include making
house rules, encouraging good behavior, using consequences,
building bridges, and protecting against substance
abuse. The CALC SCF Program is now in its third year.
Contact and Join CALC!
OUR MISSION
We are Chaldean women energized by
working together and with others to
provide help and hope to those in need.
OUR VISION
The CALC will strengthen and preserve
the Chaldean family by ensuring
that all generations have access
to necessary resources and services.
Please join the Chaldean American Ladies
of Charity (CALC) and be part of a group
of hard working and dedicated women.
It is just $25.00 a year
Call Today: 248-352-5018
or send in your membership to:
21711 W. Ten Mile Rd., Ste. 238
Southfield, MI 48075
www.calconline.com
PROJECT CAN START
CALC’s Detroit Project CAN START has drawn 31 children ages
10-14 living in Detroit’s Chaldean community to meet twice weekly
to develop life skills and service learning for young people. The
youths were recently visited by Sgt. Albert Yasso, a Chaldean
officer from the Detroit Police Department. He spoke to the kids
about violence, drugs and its consequences. The youths listened
intently and asked Sgt. Yasso numerous questions.
During another session, when asked to identify specific
problems that need to be addressed in their community and
neighborhood, youth responded, “people setting fires in the
neighborhood, violence, drive-by shootings, drugs and a terrible
litter problem.”
“It is alarming to note the dangerous events that confront
these children daily. They are very affected by them in a negative
way,” said Brenda Khamarko, one of Project CAN
START’s case managers. Youth were introduced to bowling
on a recent field trip. “You could see a real team effort developing
among the kids. For most of them, youth team sports
is not an option or available to them in Detroit. We could see
self-confidence building as they supported their team,” said
Rudaina Kainaya, another case manager. One youth said,
“This is my first time bowling. It is so much fun!”
Project CAN START and Strengthening Chaldean
Families are funded by Michigan’s Office of Drug Control
Policy. To learn more about these two programs or volunteer,
contact the CALC office at (248) 352-5018.
CALC CERTIFIED AS COUNSELORS
FOR MEDICARE PROGRAM
Starting January 1, 2006, Medicare prescription drug coverage
will be available to everyone with Medicare. This new program
is called Medicare Part D. These plans will help you save
money on your prescription drug costs. In order to get this
prescription drug coverage, you must choose to enroll in a
Medicare prescription drug plan that meets your needs. In the
fall of 2005, Medicare beneficiaries may begin to voluntarily
enroll in the new Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program.
CALC staff was recently trained and certified by the Area
Agency of Aging to act as MMAP Counselors to assist seniors
in making informed choices regarding their prescription drug
needs. More information will be in a future issue.
BARBECUE AT CHALDEAN MANOR
It’s summertime and the livin’ is easy ... that is if you’re a
Chaldean Manor Senior Citizen. This past month the backyard
of the Chaldean Manor sported spirals of smoke as
CALC held a barbecue for nearly 35 seniors.
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20 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2005
ADVERTORIAL