Our Story
ULYP's children's chorus perform on the organization's campus in Dibbiyeh, Lebanon
A Chance Encounter
Ed Miller, a corporate attorney based in Boston and the founding trustee of ACMiddleEast, first visited Lebanon in 2010. After meeting local philanthropist Melek Nimer, founder of Unite Lebanon Youth Project (ULYP), Ed had the chance to visit one of the country’s most underserved populations: the Palestinian refugees. Living in the country for generations since becoming refugees in 1948, the Palestinian refugees of Lebanon often live in refugee camps without reliable electricity, potable water, or safe building structures. Even those who do not live in the camps still have limited rights, being restricted to a limited number of professions and prohibited from owning property in Lebanon. Ed’s experience inspired him to create a U.S. charity that would permit Americans to make tax-deductible contributions to alleviate such suffering.
Supporting Local Initiatives
The situation of Palestinian refugees is in part the result of deep divisions in Lebanese society based on religion, class, and ethnicity. In recognition of this, ACMiddleEast works closely with the Unite Lebanon Youth Project (ULYP), a Lebanese nonprofit organization (NGO#134) established in 2010 to propel a paradigm shift bringing Lebanon from a nation divided along religious, political, socio-economic, and ethnic lines to one where people can co-exist, unite, and work together for a better future. ULYP creates educational opportunities and gives equal access to quality educational programs to children, youth, and women in all marginalized communities. In light of its mission to unite, ULYP works not only to alleviate the appalling human suffering and hopelessness of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, but also to help underprivileged Lebanese youth and Syrian refugees recently displaced by the neighboring conflict.
ULYP delivers 10 educational programs annually benefitting 3,000 children, youth, and women bringing them the hope and skills necessary to improve their lives, integrate Lebanese society and contribute to a better future. In addition to this, ULYP offers the BRIDGE program which prepares underprivileged capable students for college education. BRIDGE also helps provide brilliant students living in the Palestinian camps with university scholarships.
Ed Miller, a corporate attorney based in Boston and the founding trustee of ACMiddleEast, first visited Lebanon in 2010. After meeting local philanthropist Melek Nimer, founder of Unite Lebanon Youth Project (ULYP), Ed had the chance to visit one of the country’s most underserved populations: the Palestinian refugees. Living in the country for generations since becoming refugees in 1948, the Palestinian refugees of Lebanon often live in refugee camps without reliable electricity, potable water, or safe building structures. Even those who do not live in the camps still have limited rights, being restricted to a limited number of professions and prohibited from owning property in Lebanon. Ed’s experience inspired him to create a U.S. charity that would permit Americans to make tax-deductible contributions to alleviate such suffering.
Supporting Local Initiatives
The situation of Palestinian refugees is in part the result of deep divisions in Lebanese society based on religion, class, and ethnicity. In recognition of this, ACMiddleEast works closely with the Unite Lebanon Youth Project (ULYP), a Lebanese nonprofit organization (NGO#134) established in 2010 to propel a paradigm shift bringing Lebanon from a nation divided along religious, political, socio-economic, and ethnic lines to one where people can co-exist, unite, and work together for a better future. ULYP creates educational opportunities and gives equal access to quality educational programs to children, youth, and women in all marginalized communities. In light of its mission to unite, ULYP works not only to alleviate the appalling human suffering and hopelessness of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, but also to help underprivileged Lebanese youth and Syrian refugees recently displaced by the neighboring conflict.
ULYP delivers 10 educational programs annually benefitting 3,000 children, youth, and women bringing them the hope and skills necessary to improve their lives, integrate Lebanese society and contribute to a better future. In addition to this, ULYP offers the BRIDGE program which prepares underprivileged capable students for college education. BRIDGE also helps provide brilliant students living in the Palestinian camps with university scholarships.
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A Volunteer Organization
By contributing to ACMiddleEast, you contribute to changing the lives of underprivileged children, youth, and women through giving them access to quality educational programs and/or university education. Giving access to quality education is pivotal is changing societies and gets us all closer to understanding that “diversity is a cause to celebrate not discriminate.” As an organization entirely run and administratively funded by its board members and volunteers, 100% – every cent – of your donation will go to supporting ACMiddleEast projects. ACMiddleEast’s first project has been to support ULYP’s BRIDGE program, which provides scholarships to gifted Palestinian refugee students. BRIDGE scholarships, often awarded in collaboration with a partner university or foundation, include tuition, room and board, transportation, and books. Please consider donating today. |
ULYP, with ACMiddleEast's support, offers multiple sports camps in the summer, allowing youth to give back to their communities as volunteer coaches.
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Participants in ULYP's Most Outstanding Mothers program. The program empowers women through English, basic IT and Internet skills training, with the goal of promoting independence, and opening doors to future opportunities.
The MOMs program is held year round, and serves up to 160 women annually.
