APRIL 2024

NOTEWORTHY
CCF’s C.H.A.I. Program Recognized
CCF’s C.H.A.I. (Caregiver Helping Aid Initiative) has
been recognized by ARCH (Access to Respite Care
and Help) as an Innovative and Exemplary
Respite Service. A three-year designation,
CCF’s C.H.A.I. is one of only
four respite services from across the
country recognized with the highest
level of distinction. CCF is pleased to
have met the stringent set of criteria
that addresses the needs of family
caregivers of adults and older adult
family members.
C.H.A.I. strengthens CCF’s mission
by continuing to improve the stability, health, and
wellness of new Americans including refugees, immigrants,
and vulnerable families. Caregivers oftentimes
feel hesitant about leaving a loved one with
disabilities and those with dementia in another’s
care. CCF’s C.H.A.I. multilingual staff works to develop
trust with caregivers over time.
Respite is the most frequently requested support
service among the nation’s 53 million family
caregivers, yet 86% do not receive
respite services, despite the proven
benefits to caregivers and care recipients.
Respite for these families
can help reduce caregiver stress,
improve caregiver and family health
and well-being, help avoid more
costly out-of-home placements, and
may even help to reduce the likelihood
of abuse or neglect.
By recognizing high quality respite services
across the country, ARCH hopes to encourage the
study, expansion, and replication of such services.
The Chaldean Community Foundation will be recognized
at the 2024 National Lifespan Respite Conference
during May in Albany, New York.
Chaldean Boxer Rocky “Rockman” Somo
Rocky “Rockman” Salem Somo has been boxing for
seven years. His professional career started in 2023
with a May 26 win by unanimous decision over Carlos
Escobedo in the fourth round. He fought for the first
time in his home area of San Diego on March 2 of this
year at the Four Points Sheraton and won by knockout
in the second round.
Somo bouts in the super middle division. The
southpaw boxer is 26 years old and stands at 5’9”.
Born in El Cajon, he is currently fighting out of Chula
Vista and has a winning record of 3-0 as a professional
boxer. Somo is looking to earn a world championship
title. You can find him on Facebook and LinkedIn
under Rockman Somo, and his Instagram handle
is @rockmansomo.
Chaldean Artist
Featured in NFL Draft
Juliana Rabban, a local Chaldean artist, was commissioned
by City Walls Detroit to create a 5’ 8” tall football
cleat sculpture to be displayed for the NFL Draft
and auctioned off in May.
Juliana calls her cleat “Unite & Ignite,” which she
said embodies the shared human struggle as it relates
to cancer. As someone who has watched close family
struggle with cancer, she chose the charity Kids Without
Cancer to receive her donation. Her cleat will be
displayed at City Airport in Detroit in April.
From Baghdad to Detroit: Four Poems
In honor of April as Poetry Month, the Chaldean Cultural Center will host an event at the West Bloomfield
Public Library on April 13 from 1-3pm. The event, held in the meeting room of the library at 4600
Walnut Lake Road, features four Iraqi-born women including Weam Namou, director of the Chaldean
Cultural Center, and Dunya Mikhail, poet, author, and professor at Oakland University. The women
are in a short 10-minute documentary which was funded by the Knight Foundation.
The film will screen for the first time on April 13, followed by discussion and poetry reading. The documentary
includes a segment of each poet, in her home / work, or in certain significant locations with the
poets reciting their poems which focus on the Chaldean / Iraqi American experience.
More information may be found at https://westbloomfield.librarycalendar.com/event/
baghdad-detroit-four-poems-poetry-iraqi-born-women-976.
14 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2024