The Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) is an umbrella association of nine major Chaldean organizations in Metropolitan Detroit. The CFA represents more than 150,000 Chaldean-American residents in this region. The CFA has served as a catalyst for the assimilation of thousands of Chaldeans into the American culture. Metropolitan Detroit is home to the largest number of Chaldean Americans in the United States. Chaldean Americans make up one of the fastest growing minorities in Southeastern Michigan. Notably, Chaldean Americans have their own culture, language, and religious beliefs, which differ from other Middle Eastern Arab ethnic groups.

We, the Chaldeans of the United States of America, are the descendants of the ancient inhabitants of Mesopotamia-- today’s Iraq. We are Catholics who speak Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus Christ. Our ancestors adapted Christianity in its early decades.

We, do hereby the establishment of a community based charitable, educational, and humanitarian relief organization. The Federation is a non-profit organization designated 501 (C) (3) entity.

Our current focus is to provide the following:

• Help settle thousands of Chaldean refugees outside Iraq to a country of permanent residency and provide humanitarian relief while they are in the waiting
• Provide humanitarian relief for our displaced people inside Iraq
• Support advocacy issues that affect our Chaldean American Community

We affirm our belief in the United States and its Constitution. Since all Chaldeans around the globe are an integral part of the Chaldean Community, the Chaldean Federation of America shall extend these objectives for all the Chaldeans through out the world. Year 2010 marks the 28th anniversary of the Chaldean Federation of America founding.

Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) Statement of Purpose
The Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) helps preserve the public image of the Chaldean community by communicating who Chaldeans are and what they do. Our mission is to help protect the legal and civil rights of all Chaldean-American citizens, as well as provide referrals to other specialized organizations based on particular needs. We also provide a charitably funded annual scholarship program in conjunction with other Chaldean organizations. CFA is a recognized IRS 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 1981. The Federation serves as an umbrella organization for humanitarian aid. The CFA was founded to unite all Chaldeans by encouraging their organizations to work in fellowship within the federation.

CFA Mission Statement
To provide financial support, through donations and charitable contributions, to Iraqi refugees who were forced to leave their homeland due to the ongoing turmoil within their homeland and who cannot otherwise provide for themselves by partnering with humanitarian organizations working in the Middle East. By matching donors with families based on the size of the pledged monthly donation we hope to reach as many refugee families as possible while working to ensure that 100% of the donations end up with the refugee families to help ease the burden faced by these refugees as they strive to regain a normal life in a new land.

WHO WE HELP

Reduced to the status of "refugee", these displaced persons are prohibited from working, going to school, worshipping... and are prevented from living their normal lives. Not only have they lost their homes, their jobs, and their livelihoods, but their food, water and other basic necessities have become exceedingly scarce. Entire families, children, infants, grandmothers... are homeless, hungry and desperate.

LEADERSHIP

Basil Bacall is the chairman of the Adopt-A-Refugee Family committee. He was instrumental in getting the program implemented in mid 2007 to help Christian refugees driven from war-torn Iraq. Basil and his brother Mike develop and co-own multiple hospitality investment properties including Hilton, Inter-Continental and Holiday Inn. Before becoming a developer of fine hotels, at age 31 Basil was notable as one of the youngest Chaldeans ever to work as a pilot for a major airline. In addition to his Flight Engineer Certificate, Basil holds a Bachelor of Science from Thomas Edison State University in New Jersey. He has also completed advanced theology courses with the Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization Center, where he served on the Advisory Committee. Basil and his wife Majida have three sons – Pierre, Blake and Ryan – and make their home in Brighton. Basil is passionate about the need to help others. “It is never about us or the small contribution that each one of us makes,” he says, “but it is about giving back and sharing the Lord’s blessing and love, and positively impacting those who need us most – the refugees.”

David Noona is chairman of the Chaldean Federation of America.

COMMITTEE

All Adopt-A-Refugee Family Committee members and volunteers work on a purely voluntary basis. None of them are paid for any of the work they do for the Adopt-A-Refugee charity. All Administrative and overhead costs associated with this effort have been paid for by an anonymous donor from the Chaldean community.