Arab American Family Services (AAFS) is the largest Arab American multiservice organization in Illinois. It has provided family and crisis services to over 30 communities in the South Suburban Chicago area. AAFS claims to be a non-political, non-religious organization that seeks to focus on building understanding between Arab-Americans and other Americans. ¹

In 2023, AAFS celebrated legislation signed into law by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) expanding racial and ethnic classification categories to include Middle Eastern and North Africa categories. ²

In 2025, AAFS helped organize and participated in a rally in Washington, D.C. urging lawmakers to protect Medicaid and end medical debt. ³

Activities

Arab American Family Services’ programs focus on domestic violence prevention and intervention, elderly and disability assistance, left-of-center cultural diversity training, mental health assistance, immigration services, community health and education programs, and youth programs. ¹

AAFS has several partner organizations with which it works, including the Robert C. McCormick Foundation, the Alphawood Foundation, Age Options, the Retirement Research Foundation, the Illinois Department of Human Services, United Way, the Chicago Foundation for Women, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and several other groups. ⁴

In May 2023, AAFS announced a partnership with Cook County, Illinois to create the Building Healthy Communities: Behavioral Health Initiative. Through the initiative, AAFS awarded $16 million in community grants to support youth development programs, behavioral health services, opioid overdose prevention, harm reduction programs, and food security throughout suburban Cook County. ⁵

AAFS is also the first Arab-American group in Illinois to receive certification as a rape crisis center that provides safety and support for sexual assault victims in the community. AAFS received this certification in April 2025. ⁶

Policy Influence

Arab American Family Services has involved itself in both state and national advocacy. ¹ In August 2023, AAFS co-founder Nareman Taha was cited in a press release from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) celebrating legislation expanding racial classification categories. Taha claimed, “We are so proud that Illinois is leading the nation as the first state to include a Middle Eastern and North African category in its racial and ethnic data collection.” ²

AAFS also helped organize and participated in a rally outside the Rayburn U.S. Senate offices in Washington, D.C. on April 30, 2025 as part of the Capitol Hill Day of Action, calling on lawmakers to protect Medicaid from cuts and to end medical debt. ³

Leadership

Itedal Shalabi is a co-founder and executive director at Arab American Family Services. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago. ⁷

Nareman Taha is a co-founder and co-director at AAFS. She holds a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in public service management and nonprofit management from DePaul University. She is also a board member at the Center for Arab American Philanthropy and Forefront. ⁸

Finances

In 2023, Arab American Family Services reported $5,577,575 in total revenue, $5,749,641 in total expenses, and $1,931,851 in total assets. In 2023, AAFS received $4,768,280 in government grants, which was more than 80 percent of the organization’s revenue that year. ⁹

1. “About Us.” AAFS. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.aafsil.org/about-us/
2. “Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Expanding Racial Classification Categories.” Illinois.gov. August 4, 2023. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.illinois.gov/news/release.html?releaseid=26835
3. “Advocates Rally in Washington to Urge Congress: Protect Medicaid, End Medical Debt.” Community Catalyst. April 30, 2025. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://communitycatalyst.org/news/advocates-rally-in-washington-to-urge-congress-protect-medicaid-end-medical-debt/
4. Our Partners.” AAFS. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.aafsil.org/our-partners/
5. “AAFS_Il post.” Instagram. May 31, 2023. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs7SJ-hO6eH/
6. Tye, Chris. “Arab American Family Services in Worth, Illinois is 1st of its kind rape crisis center.” CBS News. April 30, 2025. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/arab-american-family-services-worth-illinois-rape-crisis-center/
7. “Itedal Shalaib – Profile.” LinkedIn. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/itedal-shalabi-58008014/
8. “Nareman Taha – Profile.” LinkedIn. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nareman-taha-52050aa/
9. “Arab American Family Services – 2023 Federal Form 990.” ProPublica. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/600002593/202521009349301357/full