OUR ACTIVITIES
CASS funds and manages an array of projects serving those in need with emphasis on projects leading to the financial independence and dignity of those we serve.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION (Los Angeles, California)
This cornerstone project provides basic food items to needy families within the Coptic and community as well as our neighbors in Los Angeles. This food distribution project is enabled through the longstanding relationship between CASS and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
MOBILITY LOANS (LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA)
This new project helps new immigrants finance the purchase of vehicles -- a necessity to enable the new family to become independent and get employed.
TREASURES OF HEAVEN (shobra/CAIRO, EGYPT)
This project serves hundreds of the neediest families in the Shobra neighborhood of Cairo by providing them basic financial support and clothing.
MICRO LOANS (Minya, EGYPT)
This project is organized in partnership with Father Daoud Lamy to provide micro-loans to Egyptian entrepreneurs helping them achieve financial independence and employ others in need of work.
HOPE center for terminal illnesses (fikriyya/ABU KORKAS, egypt)
This project provides support to one of the few centers in Upper Egypt serving the poorest patients with terminal illnesses and those in need of kidney dialysis.
HOME of the elderly from needy families (Faggala/Cairo, egypt)
This project supports one of the few homes for the elderly in Cairo who have no other means to support themselves.
emergency family support (los angeles, california)
This project provides urgent financial and practical support to widows and families encountering sudden tragedies across the Los Angeles community.
orphan student support (ayyad bey/cairo, EGYPT)
This project provides youth missing one or both parents with financial support to purchase books and other learning materials.
trips for seniors & elderly (los angeles, california)
This activity organizes community trips to various locations across Southern California serving seniors and their families.
"PURE AND UNDEFILED RELIGION BEFORE GOD AND THE FATHER IS THIS: TO VISIT ORPHANS AND WIDOWS IN THEIR TROUBLE."
(JAMES 1:27)
OUR BOARD
SAMIR BASSILY
Board Member & President
Dr. Bassily has served on the board of CASS since the early 1990s - serving as Secretary for almost two decades. In 2012, he was elected by the members as President of CASS. He was instrumental in gaining the Association's non-profit status in 1995. He also served for 3 years on the board of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Los Angeles (1991-1994).
FADI CHEHADÉ
Board Member & Vice President
Mr. Chehadé has been a member of CASS since its foundation. He served as President from 2007-2012. He is also a member of St. Peter & St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Santa Monica, California. Fadi worked with the youth and children of the community to establish Nilorado, the active youth chapter of CASS.
EDWARD KHALIL
Board Member & Vice President
Mr. Khalil was born in Egypt. He earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Assiut. He moved to California with his wife and children. Edward was blessed to serve and work with CASS founder the late Banoub Chehade since 1995. He has been serving as a board member since 1997.
MIKE ANTOUN
Board Member & Secretary
Mr. Antoun has been a board member since 2015.
MAGGIE WAHBA
Board Member
Ms. Wahba has been a board member since 2022
MAHA YOUSSEF
Board Member
Ms. Youssef has been a board member since 2022
NABIL GABRIEL
Board Member
Mr. Gabriel has been a board member since 2007.
DR. NAWAL ROFAEL
Board Member
Dr. Rofael has been a board member since 2022
NAGUI ELYAS
Board Member
Mr. Elyas has been a board member since 2022
AMGED KIROLOS
Board Member
Mr. Kirolos has been a board member since 2012.
MONA GUIRGUIS
Board Member
Ms. Guirguis has been a board member since 2022
OUR FOUNDER
Banoub Chehata
(1921-2009)
Banoub Chehata founded CASS in 1988 to serve the needs of ‘our little brothers and sisters’.
CASS was Banoub's final contribution to the chain of associations and projects he founded staring in the 1940's, from Egypt, to Ethiopia, then Lebanon, and finally in Los Angeles where he launched CASS with Mr. Roushdy Garas and a group of dedicated members of the Coptic community.
Banoub was a dedicated servant of the Coptic Orthodox Church and loved its community since his youth.
Banoub Chehata with Pope Shenouda III (right) and Archbishop Basilious of Jerusalem (Banoub’s home in Beirut 1972)
NILORADO
OUR YOUTH
CHAPTER
"With a little faith, we can move mountains. Nothing is small if it is done out of love."
(one of Nilorado's guiding principles)
In 2003, CASS founded its youth Chapter named Nilorado, for Californian children to help Egyptian children in need. The word 'nilorado' is made up by the children to combine the names of the rivers Nile and Colorado -- the two main water sources of Egypt and California. As such, Nilorado kids aim to be a bridge of living water uniting the children of the Nile and Colorado rivers.
Nilorado is organized and led by middle and high school students in the community between the ages of 12 and 18. Nilorado children are dedicated to support the needs of poor children in Upper Egypt.
Nilorado holds a yearly Christmas banquet in Los Angeles to raise funds for The Home of Progress, one of Egypt’s most advanced centers to re-habilitate handicapped children from extremely poor families. Nilorado kids also organize a yearly ‘GoatFest’ delivering hundreds of goats for children to raise -- lifting their families from very difficult conditions.
In addition, Nilorado children raise funds to provide bicycles for rural girls to attend school.
BE PART OF OUR MISSION
Support Our Growing Activities
CASS is a California non-profit public benefit corporation since 1995 -- 501(c)(3).
Federal Tax ID 95-4197050.
All CASS staff and Directors are volunteers. CASS does not apply any administrative fees to your donations. You may send a general donation or you may direct your funds to any one or more specific projects.
Every penny received is sent to those we serve.
You may donate now by clicking the button below, or you can send your tax deductible donations to the CASS Los Angeles Center:
CASS, 5814 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
If you wish to volunteer your time, please drop us a note with the talent you wish to share and your time availability.
You may also reach us at contact@cassla.org
Thanks!
BLESSING OF CASS BOARD & CENTER
by His Grace Bishop abraham
A very special visit
His Grace Bishop Abraham visited the CASS center and spent several hours meeting with Board members and surveying the Center to understand and bless our activities. Bishop Abraham is our newly ordained Bishop with focus on social and community services. We thank His Grace as his visit which truly warmed our hearts and served to strengthen our bond with our beautiful Church.
And for this very special visit, we especially thank His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion, the first bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, and the first Metropolitan in North America. May the Lord preserve his life for all his children.