LAHC- Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities

What LAHC- Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities does

LAHC - Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit human services organization headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, founded in 1982 as the Lebanese American Heritage Club and rebranded in 2017 to reflect its expanded scope. The organization serves nearly 56,000 individuals annually across Southeast Michigan, including Dearborn, Detroit, Flint, Dearborn Heights, Inkster, and Wayne County, delivering free programs to children, youth, seniors, families, adults, and the MENA and immigrant communities. Service is delivered through a community-based outreach model combining direct programming at its repurposed Saint Clements Church headquarters and adjacent rectory site with site-based delivery at schools, libraries, senior centers, FQHCs, faith-based organizations, and community centers.

The program portfolio spans four pillars: Workforce Development and Education (Youth Leadership Bridge to College Program, Digital Literacy, Civic Leadership Program, scholarship assistance, ESL, career navigation); Public Health (Healthy Living for adults/families/youth/seniors, Maternal and Infant Health, ACT Drug Free Community Coalition, Substance Use Prevention); Behavioral Health (Pathways for developmental disabilities and autism, Healing Hearts grief services, Blooming Minds mental health, Social-Emotional Learning); and Human Services (Client Choice Mobile Market food distribution with Forgotten Harvest, in-house food pantry, annual turkey drive, Santa on Patrol). Programs rely on evidence-based curricula (Botvin Life Skills, Nurturing Parenting, SNAP-Ed via the Michigan Fitness Foundation) and culturally competent staffing rather than proprietary technology platforms, and are provided at no cost to participants.

Revenue is generated through a nonprofit funding mix of federal, state, and local government grants and contracts (HUD, MDHHS, ARPA via State of Michigan LEO and Wayne County), foundation and corporate philanthropy (W.K. Kellogg Foundation, DTE Foundation, Ford Philanthropy, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Children's Foundation, Comcast, Huntington Bank), individual donations, and an annual gala (43rd Annual Awards Gala scheduled for May 14, 2026). CEO Wassim Mahfouz has led the organization for two decades at a stated annual operating budget of $9 million. Recent strategic activity includes the 2024 HUD Community Project Grant, the November 2025 groundbreaking of a new Education and Workforce Development Hub scheduled to open in July 2026, and a 2025 $500,000 matching grant through the Michigan Central Station Children's Endowment Initiative targeting a $1.5M permanent endowment.

Name

LAHC- Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities

Legal name

LAHC - Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities

Website

https://lahc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

LAHC - Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, delivering free workforce development, public health, behavioral health, and human services programs to nearly 56,000 children, youth, seniors, families, and MENA/immigrant community members annually across Southeast Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Human Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers (HLAFACAI), Student Health Services (School Nursing, Health Office) (EDAJAIAE), School-Based Health Centers (HLAFAGAG)

Keywords

• Community services nonprofit
• Workforce development programs
• Behavioral health services
• Youth leadership education
• Food distribution assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Dearborn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: LAHC receives significant funding from federal, state, and local government sources including HUD grants, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services funding, and community development funds. The organization was awarded a $500,000 HUD Community Project Grant for the Workforce Development Hub and over $3.35 million in grants for the new Education and Workforce Development Hub in Dearborn.
2. Foundation and Corporate Philanthropy: LAHC receives support from foundations including W.K. Kellogg Foundation, DTE Foundation, and corporate donors. The organization is part of the Michigan Central Station Children's Endowment Initiative with a $500,000 matching grant opportunity.
3. Individual Donations and Gala Revenue: LAHC generates revenue through individual donations, annual gala events (43rd Annual Awards Gala scheduled for May 14, 2026), and direct contribution campaigns. The organization reports that 90 cents on every dollar of tax-deductible contributions go directly toward supporting programs and services.
4. Program Fees and Scholarship Funding: While most LAHC programs are free to participants, the organization administers scholarship programs for high school seniors (up to $2,000 per recipient) and collects program participation fees where applicable.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LAHC is a 501(c)(3) community services nonprofit delivering free health, education, workforce development, and human services programs to children, youth, seniors, families, and immigrants in Southeast Michigan. Core offerings span Youth Leadership Bridge to College, Digital Literacy, Civic Leadership, ESL, Healthy Living (cooking, fitness, maternal/infant health, family/youth/senior tracks), substance use prevention, behavioral health (developmental disabilities, grief, mental health, SEL), food distribution, scholarships, and one-on-one workforce/career navigation. Programs are delivered at the Dearborn headquarters, at partner schools, FQHCs, libraries, senior centers, faith-based organizations, and through a Client Choice Mobile Market in partnership with Forgotten Harvest.

Product overview

LAHC (Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities) is a non-profit community organization operating as a single, unified social services provider rather than a platform-based product architecture. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of community programs organized under distinct service categories: Youth Leadership Bridge to College Program, Digital Literacy Courses, Civic Leadership Program, Healthy Living Programs (serving adults, families, youth, and seniors), Maternal and Infant Health, ACT Drug Free Community Coalition, Substance Use Prevention, Behavioral Health Services (including Pathways for developmental disabilities, Healing Hearts grief services, Blooming Minds mental health, and Social-Emotional Learning), Food Distribution, Scholarship Program, ESL Classes, and Workforce Development Services. These programs function as standalone service offerings unified by LAHC's holistic, community-centered approach to serving children, youth, seniors, and families in Southeast Michigan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Leadership Bridge to College Program (YLBTCP) An evidence-based 21st-century skills program for high school youth focused on leadership, life skills, job readiness, college access, financial literacy, and community service.
• Digital Literacy Program A 6-8 week course teaching adult learners computer and technology skills including basic laptop navigation, email etiquette, online safety, and developing online profiles using Google Chromebooks and Google Suite applications.
• Civic Leadership Program An 8-week interactive program for college students and aspiring public administrators to navigate government systems, influence policy, and lead with civility through expert-led sessions, advocacy training, and networking.
• Healthy Living Program A public health program empowering underserved community members to take control of their health through cooking and fitness classes and hands-on nutritional content, serving early childhood centers, elementary schools, and federally qualifying health clinics.
• Maternal and Infant Health (MIH) Program Mom Care Connect and Maternal Health Navigator services providing personalized guidance, resources, and advocacy for quality healthcare access for expectant and new mothers.
• ACT Drug Free Community Coalition A community coalition preventing and reducing youth substance use through youth action committees, scholarships, Botvin Life Skills, Narcan training, and tobacco vendor education.
• Substance Use Prevention Program Programs promoting positive youth and family development including gambling prevention, Synar compliance, nurturing parenting, medication disposal, Narcan training, intervention referrals, and Botvin Life Skills.
• Behavioral Health Services Comprehensive behavioral health services including developmental disabilities and autism services, grief and loss services, mental health services, and social-emotional learning programs.
• Pathways - Developmental Disabilities & Autism Services Functional living skills program empowering youth with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder to develop independence through life skills, social communication, leisure enrichment, and personal safety training in group settings.
• Healing Hearts - Grief & Loss Services Therapeutic grief support for children, teens, and college-aged youth using evidence-based interventions including creative expression, movement-based coping, and peer support groups.
• Blooming Minds - Mental Health Services Recreational therapy program using evidence-based interventions to promote mental wellness through art, music, gardening, movement, and exercise for Wayne County residents experiencing stress, depression, or anxiety.
• Social-Emotional Learning Services Evidence-based programs for youth ages 5-17 in social-emotional development including Thrive & Bloom SEL Series, expressive arts, therapeutic gardening, friendship foundations, and parent training workshops.
• Food Distribution Services Client Choice Mobile Market in partnership with Forgotten Harvest, in-house food pantry with culturally competent non-perishables, and annual turkey drive serving over 600 families.
• Scholarship Program Academic scholarship assistance program providing up to $2,000 to high school seniors with a 3.5+ GPA demonstrating financial need; nearly $2 million awarded over 32 years.
• ESL Classes English as a Second Language programming offered in partnership with Dearborn Public Schools Adult Education services, providing classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced learners.
• Workforce Development Services Career navigation with one-on-one support for career planning, resumes, interviews, and job search strategies, alongside literacy services including financial literacy, digital skills, and ESL programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of Digital Literacy participants improved their knowledge about technology
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Forgotten HarvestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForgotten Harvest is a key partner in LAHC's food distribution operations. The organizations partner on the Client Choice Mobile Market, which operates twice monthly at LAHC's Dearborn location, providing fresh produce and groceries to community members through an appointment-based client-choice model.
• Michigan Fitness FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Fitness Foundation partners with LAHC as the pass-through entity for USDA SNAP-Ed funding supporting the Healthy Living Program's nutrition education and physical activity initiatives.
• Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDWIHN partners with LAHC on substance abuse prevention initiatives including the Synar Program for youth tobacco prevention. LAHC collaborates with DWIHN, The Youth Connection, and MDHHS on tobacco vendor compliance checks.
• Priority HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPriority Health is listed as a community partner supporting LAHC's health programming and community wellness initiatives.
• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDC is listed among LAHC's community partners, with the organization utilizing CDC resources and guidelines for public health programming including violence prevention strategies.
• City of DearborncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Dearborn partners with LAHC on community initiatives. LAHC serves Dearborn's diverse residents including the largest concentrated Arab American population in the United States.
• University of MichigansupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Michigan partners with LAHC through resume workshops, career center resources, and potential educational collaborations supporting workforce development.
• Wayne State UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWayne State University partners with LAHC on educational initiatives and workforce development programming.
• Dearborn Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDearborn Public Schools is a key partner hosting LAHC's school-based programs including ESL classes, youth leadership initiatives, and healthy living education. LAHC partners with the district's Adult Education services for ESL programming.
• Michigan State UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan State University is listed as a community partner collaborating with LAHC on educational and community health initiatives.
• Corewell HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorewell Health partners with LAHC on community health initiatives and healthcare referral pathways.
• Wayne LINCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWayne LINC partners with LAHC on community development and integration initiatives in Wayne County.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency: Wayne County's designated Community Action Agency providing workforce development, early childhood, weatherization, and anti-poverty programming to overlapping low-income populations in the same service geography as LAHC.
• Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit: Major workforce development and digital literacy provider in Southeast Michigan operating in the same labor shed. Directly comparable on LAHC's digital literacy, career navigation, and job readiness programming.
• Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan: Regional social services provider offering behavioral health, food assistance, refugee/immigrant services, and substance abuse programming in the same Southeast Michigan footprint as LAHC.
• Focus: HOPE: Detroit-based comprehensive anti-poverty nonprofit providing workforce development, youth leadership, food distribution, and early childhood services. Comparable multi-program community hub model with similar population focus in Southeast Michigan.
• Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC): Dearborn-based nonprofit serving Arab American and Chaldean communities across Michigan with workforce development, behavioral health, youth services, and immigrant integration. CEO Wassim Mahfouz serves on its board, underscoring the close peer relationship.
• Matrix Human Services: Detroit-based multi-program human services nonprofit offering workforce development, behavioral health, youth services, and senior programs — a comparable integrated service model in the same Detroit/Dearborn region.
• ACCESS (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services): Largest Arab American community services nonprofit in the U.S., headquartered in Dearborn, MI. Offers nearly identical services (workforce development, ESL, behavioral health, immigration, youth programs, public benefits) to overlapping populations in Southeast Michigan — the closest direct peer to LAHC.
• Forgotten Harvest: Major regional food rescue and distribution partner that already co-operates the Client Choice Mobile Market with LAHC. Comparable on food distribution program design and Metro Detroit service geography.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit: Large national-affiliated social services organization providing food distribution, youth programs, workforce development, and behavioral health across Metro Detroit. Operates as a broader portfolio player rather than a culturally focused specialist.
• United Way for Southeastern Michigan: Regional umbrella funder and convener for many of the same human services agencies LAHC partners with. Comparable in mission scope (community-level social impact) but operates as a funder/coordinator rather than direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LAHC4
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lahcleadersadvancingandhel2639/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/LAHC.MI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leaders-advancing-helping-communities
• Instagraminstagram.com/lahc.mi
• TikToktiktok.com/@lahc.mi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LAHC- Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities