Citizenship Program

UCFS’ Citizenship and Integration Program is designed to navigate lawful permanent residents of the United States through integration and naturalization.

Elderly Refugee Program

The Elderly Refugee Program reduces social isolation, increase integration and community connections, and promote overall health for senior refugees.

Food Pantry

The UCFS Food Pantry is open to all who need food assistance. Food Pantry clients are provided with a healthy balance of fresh produce, dairy products, lean meats, non-perishables, and cultural staples.

Project Achievment

Project Achievement is UCFS’ tutoring program providing homework and reading assistance and STEAM education to low-income immigrant and refugee children.

The Sharehouse Basic Needs Center

UCFS’ Sharehouse Basic Needs Center provides basic needs items to families and individuals in need at no cost to them.

Special Needs Program

UCFS Special Needs program provides social and emotional support to people with cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities and their families.

Maternal Health Education

UCFS has reached over 500 pregnant women and mothers, providing the tools and knowledge to improve their health and the health of their babies and families.

Summer Youth Sports

The Summer Youth Sports program increases participation in sports and to develop leadership skills and increase physical activity.

Chaldean Angels of Charity

Chaldean Angels of Charity is a youth led, youth-initiated volunteer program that mobilizes young women in the community and in UCFS’ mission to serve others.

Christmas Family Program

The Christmas Family Program has been spreading Christmas joy to families in need across Metro Detroit since 1999.

Supportive Services

UCFS provides numerous in-house support services and case management creating a pathway to success and self-sufficiency.

Women’s Business Institute

WBI-USA supports the development of women at all levels of entrepreneurship and professionalism through networking and mentorship.

Citizenship Program

UCFS' Citizenship and Integration Program is designed to navigate lawful permanent residents of the United States through integration and ultimately naturalization. The agency offers a variety of services such as translation and interpretation, employment services, financial and benefits assistance, food provision, and basic needs items. To assist clients with obtaining citizenship, UCFS offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, citizenship instruction, mock interview practice and preparation, and legal assistance in applying for naturalization. These supportive services in combination with naturalization services charts the roadmap to integration and becoming U.S. Citizens to open many more doors on their path to self-sufficiency. For citizenship and integration assistance, please call (248) 528-0130.

Elderly Refugee Program

The Elderly Refugee Program is a collaborative effort between UCFS, the Area Agency on Aging 1B, and the Michigan Office of Refugee Services to combat social isolation, increase integration and community connections, and promote overall health and wellness for refugees age 60 years and older. UCFS hosts monthly recreational and educational programs at our agency and local senior facilities and also puts elderly refugees on the path to U.S. Citizenship. The program provides seniors with resources, assists with benefits application, helps service providers enhance their skills in working with refugees, and much more.

Food Pantry

The UCFS Food Pantry is open to all who need food assistance. The pantry is stocked with food from a variety of sources, including Gleaners Community Food Bank, Forgotten Harvest, donations from local retailers, and items from food drives hosted by individuals and community groups. Clients receive a healthy balance of fresh produce, dairy products, lean meats, whole grains, non-perishables, and cultural staples. In 2022, the food pantry distributed 298,387 pounds of food to 501 households. That's almost 250,000 meals for families in need! In addition to fighting food insecurity, the food pantry is a gateway to other resources for clients and further integration. Each food box contains a recipe card to assist food pantry clients in making the most of the food they receive and learning to incorporate new foods that are more affordable and easily accessible in the U.S.

Project Achievment

Project Achievement is UCFS' tutoring program for children from ALICE and low-income households. Each week, students receive help with homework and work with a Reading Specialist to improve their reading skills, especially since remote learning was implemented in the wake of the pandemic. Once homework and reading has been completed, students participate in a hands-on STEAM activity. Engaging children with educational opportunities that are fun and interactive not only enriches their academic experiences but also improves social skills and confidence.

The Sharehouse Basic Needs Center

UCFS' Sharehouse Basic Needs Center collects and distributes new and gently-used items to families and individuals in need such as furniture, mattresses, kitchenware, clothing, personal care items, cleaning supplies, car seats, diapers, other baby essentials, and much, much more. These items are purchased from our Sharehouse Wishlist by generous donors, collected in basic needs drives hosted by individuals and community organizations, donated by supporters, and purchased with program funding. In 2022, UCFS distributed 32,694 items and 45 families were provided with furniture. Furniture is delivered to alleviate the barrier or transportation, and this is all provided at no cost to the client.

Special Needs Program

UCFS Special Needs program provides social and emotional support to people with cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities and their families. Our Special Needs programs serves as a fun-filled safe haven for these individuals as well as their families to provide the opportunity to meet other families who face similar circumstances and build a support system with one another. UCFS does this through different sensory activities and events such as our Trunk or Treat celebration, Easter Party, and more.

Maternal Infant Health Education

UCFS has reached over 500 pregnant women and mothers since 2016, providing the tools and knowledge they need to improve their health and the health of their babies and families. Programming includes interactive educational workshops on topics such as pre- and post-partum health and nutrition, labor and delivery prep and planning, breastfeeding and lactation, sleep training, early childhood development and milestones, and even CPR and Lamaze classes. The mothers are also supported with diapers, wipes, and formula throughout the program, which ends with a group baby shower with games, refreshments, raffle prizes, and gifts like car seats, strollers, and other baby essentials.

Summer Youth Program

The Summer Youth Sports program increases participation in organized sports and free-play, particularly for refugee and immigrant children. UCFS' Summer Youth Sports participants show an improvement in leadership, social, and problem-solving skills as well as an increase in physical activity and academic achievement. UCFS' youth development programs seek to support the development of the whole child and assist them in developing a healthy lifestyle early on.

Christmas Family Program

The Christmas Family Program is delivered in an "adopt-a-family" format where families in need can create a wishlist and generous donors choose a wishlist to fulfill. In December, families come to UCFS' offices for photos with Santa, holiday refreshments, and crafts and then pick their gifts up to take them home and enjoy them in a family setting on Christmas Day.

Chaldean Angels of Charity

Chaldean Angels of Charity is a youth led, youth-initiated volunteer program that mobilizes young women in the community and in UCFS’ mission to serve others. The Chaldean Angels assist with UCFS-CALC fundraising events, client events, Sharehouse Spruce Ups, and more. Additionally, the Chaldean Angels volunteer in the community serving at nursing homes, schools, and more.

Supportive Services

UCFS provides a wide variety of supportive services and case management to guide and empower clients on their path to self sufficiency. Services include but are not limited to benefits application assistance, healthcare navigation, transportation, and financial assistance. These services aim to support clients in meeting their needs as they work toward achieving their goals and self-sufficiency with dignity and hope.

Women's Business Institute

WBI-USA empowers women of all ages in all stages of their career by providing mentor and mentee matching support, networking opportunities, and informational workshops and events.