The City recently announced the award of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the amount of $25,000 to the American Association for Arab Women (AAAW). The AAAW is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Arab Women in Massachusetts. The award was recommended by the City’s ARPA Subcommittee on Non-Profit Support which includes City Councillor Craig Spadafora, Library Director Dora St. Martin, and longtime resident Linda Zalk. The request for funding was enthusiastically supported and approved by Mayor Gary Christenson.
Similar to other non-profits, AAAW experienced a negative economic impact from the pandemic and the funds will help support ongoing efforts of bringing together women who recently have come to the U.S. with more established immigrants to discuss problems and find better ways of coping with social and cultural challenges. Supporting nonprofits in general is an allowable use of ARPA, particularly given the difficulty these organizations faced during the pandemic in carrying out their mission.
Pictured: (from left) ARPA Subcommittee members Linda Zalk, and City Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora, AAAW Vice President Habiba Idrissi, Mayor Gary Christenson, AAAW President Souad Akib, and Library Director Dora St. Martin