Syrian Community Network

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Syrian Community Network Syrian Community Network (SCN) works alongside immigrants and refugees, with care, through needs-based Case Management, Education, and Immigration services.

Declaration of Values: Our Why
Born out of the Syrian refugee crisis, Syrian Community Network was founded with the purpose of easing the transition of newly arrived refugees as they acclimate to life in the US. Just as the number of newly arrived refugees has decreased, anti-immigrant, anti-refugee sentiment has grown. SCN strives to continue its founding mission in providing a holistic model of direct service for all those in need — and building community by preserving culture — regardless of religion, ethnicity, immigration status, or sexual orientation. We maintain our original name, not to exclude other groups, but rather to honor the history of those original families who survived their experience to build new lives here in the US. SCN’s values and ethical principles reflect who we are and how we stand as an organization:

Develop relationships that make a positive difference in our client’s lives. Uphold the highest level of integrity in all of our actions and work together as a team to meet the needs of our client’s and the organization. Value our clients and encourage their development and determination to potentially lead successful, independent lives. Exhibit a strong will to continue to grow as an organization to deliver and serve our community. As a voice of immigrants and refugees, we champion refugee resettlement by dismantling local, national and international resettlement barriers, and stabilizing and procuring support for refugees.

10/20/2026

Maya Atassi, our Executive Director, recently joined the international MedGlobal Conference & Gala to give her perspective on global health, and in particular the challenges that refugees are currently facing in the United States. She spoke with other renowned experts and broke down the ways that refugees are being pushed out of healthcare, and what SCN and other similar organizations can do to help refugees continue to receive essential care. It is not up to one organization, but up to all of us to continue to advocate for refugee rights and push policy makers towards fairness for all. We want to thank MedGlobal for hosting this international dialogue as well as our founder and board member Suzanne Akhras and Zaher Sahloul for their leadership on this topic.

10/13/2026

SCN Founder and board member, Suzanne Akhras, recounts the early days of SCN at the Borderless Magazine Live! event last week. Media plays such an important role in giving a voice to our community, and we are so thankful to our partners for amplifying refugee voices. We are grateful to those who are called to action as a result, and hope you continue to volunteer and donate so we can always make sure that refugees are welcome!

10/08/2026

With the loss of medical coverage, Omar’s family is still exploring other options to gain insurance. In the meantime, SCN has successfully obtained emergency relief funds from the Illinois Welcoming Center for the family. Thank you to Hiba and Rehab on our case management team, as well as Illinois Department of Human Services for their continued care for Omar.

Our Development and Communications Director, Dr. Ali Tarokh, recently sat with a group on wttw to discuss the changes H....
10/01/2026

Our Development and Communications Director, Dr. Ali Tarokh, recently sat with a group on wttw to discuss the changes H.R. 1 will have on over 9,000 immigrants in Illinois. For Omar and his family, they are clinging to hope that an expedited application for permanent residency will help them to retain their Medicaid. Like so many other families, they still have no idea when to expect a response.

09/29/2026

H.R 1 goes into effect this Thursday. Thousands of immigrants in Chicago alone will have their Medicaid cut while they continue to wait for their permanent residency applications to be processed. Our Executive Director, Maya Atassi, spoke today at the Press Conference discussing these eligibility changes. Thank you to ICIRR, CCDPH and the Ukrainian Culture Center for bringing us together for this important conversation.

SCN has three new team members! Be sure to give a warm welcome to our newest if you see them in the community center.Mam...
09/28/2026

SCN has three new team members! Be sure to give a warm welcome to our newest if you see them in the community center.

Mamayan joins our Education team as a Program Coordinator. They are the proud parent to a few reptile friends 🐍

Eleanor is the newest Education Case Coordinator. She has been known to make jewelry on occasion for her friends 💍

Itai joins our Operations team as the Compliance Coordinator. He enjoys biking and has accomplished cycling the full lakefront trail 🚴

Refugees who have applied for permanent residency are stuck waiting anxiously. The processing of their applications has ...
09/25/2026

Refugees who have applied for permanent residency are stuck waiting anxiously. The processing of their applications has slowed to a trickle. In the near future, safety programs meant to ensure health and security will be cut by this administration and over 9,000 refugees without their permanent residency will face a dire situation.
We've been working alongside Omar and his family, trying ensure they retain their benefits. They are one of many families we work with facing these hurdles. It is time for the government to remember that refugees do not want to leave their home countries. They are forced by circumstances out of their control to seek safety elsewhere. Now, they have new obstacles in their path and are forced again to make difficult choices for their families well-being. We hope that the state will join us in continuing to try and protect our neighbors, friends, and community.

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Yesterday SCN was honored to join other leaders in attending the Simmons Center for Global Chicago's Fall Symposium on G...
09/17/2026

Yesterday SCN was honored to join other leaders in attending the Simmons Center for Global Chicago's Fall Symposium on Global Migration. Our Executive Director, Maya Atassi, along with our Director of Development & Communications, Dr. Ali Tarokh, and founder/current board member of SCN Suzanne Akhras, explored the many factors shaping migration and displacement, from the root causes that push people to leave their homes to the challenges people face when seeking safety and rebuilding their lives in a new country. Panelists also discussed ways we can combat these challenges, from creating a sense of community and belonging to providing legal services and case management.

This important conversation takes place at a time where refugees and immigrants are continuously silenced, isolated, and face unprecedented amounts of violence in our communities. We are so thankful to for bringing us all together and to the panelists who shared their perspectives.

With all of the changes to immigration policy and program requirements we make it a priority to stay up to date. We are ...
09/14/2026

With all of the changes to immigration policy and program requirements we make it a priority to stay up to date. We are very thankful to our Case Management team representatives, Hiba and Madona, for attending the quarterly ICIRR meeting which covers many of these updates. Thank you for all of your hard work in ensuring those we work alongside receive the best care we can provide!

09/03/2026

The second series of Voices Through Art was an incredible night of story telling and community building! SCN was honored to have our Executive Director Maya Atassi be invited as the key note speaker for the event. Listen to a portion of her speech below!

Address

5439 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
60640

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+17736541218

Website

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