Syrian Community Network

What Syrian Community Network does

Syrian Community Network (SCN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by Suzanne Akhras Sahloul, headquartered at 5439 Broadway Avenue in Chicago, Illinois (EIN 47-3105667). SCN delivers case management, adult education, youth education, immigration legal services, and advocacy to refugees and immigrants, with an operating footprint spanning four U.S. chapters in Chicago, San Diego, Phoenix, and Atlanta, and serving more than 3,000 refugees annually.

SCN's core service lines are Case Management (benefits assistance for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, SSI, WIC, unemployment insurance; government office representation; medical coordination; employment connections), Immigration Legal Services (free representation on N-400, N-600, I-485, I-131, I-765, and I-589 filings, delivered by two DOJ-accredited representatives and a staff attorney), Adult Education (English for Beginners, citizenship preparation, women's support circles, education case management), and Youth Education (afterschool STEAM programming, online homework room, mentoring for ages 16–24, summer camps including Arabic language classes). The organization runs no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is conducted through standard nonprofit case management, volunteer coordination, and educational programming systems, supported by a multilingual website and active social media channels. Advocacy is a fifth core line, executed through coalition memberships in the Refugee Action Network, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), and Welcoming America.

SCN operates as a donation-funded nonprofit. All client services are provided free of charge; the organization does not charge fees. Revenue streams include individual donations (one-time and recurring, accepted via credit card, bank account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo), donor-advised funds, stock gifts, qualified charitable distributions from IRAs, and planned giving through wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations, supplemented by foundation and government grants. Go-to-market is community-led: SCN reaches clients via word-of-mouth referrals, partnerships with resettlement agencies, ethnic-based nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and local government entities, and earned media in outlets including NPR, the Washington Post, WBEZ, WGN, CBS Chicago, Chicago Tribune, and the Chicago Sun-Times. Staff are predominantly immigrants and refugees themselves, which the organization treats as a core cultural-competency asset.

Name

Syrian Community Network

Legal name

Syrian Community Network Inc.

Website

https://syriancommunitynetwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Syrian Community Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 that delivers case management, immigration legal services, adult and youth education, and advocacy to refugees and immigrants across four U.S. chapters (Chicago, San Diego, Phoenix, Atlanta), funded primarily by individual donations and free to clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee and Immigrant Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624), Educational Services (611), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), Specialized Student Support (Foster/Homeless/Migrant/McKinney-Vento) (EDAJAIAJ), Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE) (EDADALAG)

Keywords

• Refugee resettlement services
• Immigration legal services
• Case management services
• Adult education programs
• Youth education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: SCN relies primarily on charitable donations from individuals. Donors can give one-time or monthly donations via credit card, bank account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or Venmo.
2. Donor Advised Funds: Donors can distribute funds directly from their DAF account or use DAF Pay on the organization's site. Federal Tax ID: 47-3105667.
3. Stock Gifts: Donors can make tax-advantaged gifts of stock, avoiding taxes on gains while deducting 100% of the contribution value.
4. Qualified Charitable Distributions: IRA owners age 70.5 or older can transfer up to $105,000 to charity tax-free each year, counting toward RMDs for those 73+.
5. Planned Giving: Donors can include SCN in their will or trust, name SCN as beneficiary on investment accounts or insurances, and other estate planning vehicles.
6. Free Services to Clients: All services are provided free of charge to refugees and low-income immigrants, including case management, education programs, and immigration legal services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Syrian Community Network (SCN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, needs-based case management, education, and immigration legal services to refugees and immigrants, primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area. Services include benefits assistance (Medicaid, SNAP, TANF), DOJ-accredited immigration representation, English language and citizenship preparation classes, afterschool and summer youth programming, and refugee-focused advocacy. The organization also trains and coordinates volunteers to deliver mentorship and tutoring across its programs.

Product overview

Syrian Community Network is a nonprofit organization that works alongside immigrants and refugees through needs-based Case Management, Education, and Immigration services. The organization operates several interconnected programs: Case Management provides benefits assistance, government representation, and employment support; Immigration Legal Services offers free legal representation for naturalization, green cards, and asylum applications; Adult Education includes English classes, citizenship prep, and women's support circles; Youth Education encompasses afterschool programs, summer camps, mentoring, and homework help. Additional services include advocacy for refugee rights and volunteer coordination. The organization serves the Chicago metropolitan area with a mission to help refugees attain economic security and become permanent residents or citizens.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Case Management Collaborative case management for refugees and immigrants including assessment, planning, care coordination, benefits assistance (Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, SSI, WIC), approved representation at government offices, medical coordination, and employment assistance.
• Immigration Legal Services Free legal services for low-income immigrants covering naturalization (N-400), Certificate of Citizenship (N-600), Adjustment of Status (I-485), Refugee Travel Document (I-131), Employment Authorization (I-765), Asylum (I-589), and fee waivers, delivered by DOJ-accredited representatives and a staff attorney.
• Adult Education Adult education for refugees and immigrants including English for Beginners courses, Citizenship preparation classes, topical workshops, a Women's Support Circle for Arabic-speaking refugee women, and Education Case Management for parents.
• Youth Education Educational services for refugee and immigrant children in grades 1-12 including an Afterschool Program (STEAM and social-emotional development), an Online Homework Room with virtual tutoring, High School Groups, a Mentoring program for ages 16-24, Summer Camps (including Arabic language classes), and Education Case Management.
• Advocacy Advocacy at local and national levels championing refugee resettlement, dismantling barriers to resettlement, and stabilizing support for refugees; includes coalition work through Refugee Action Network, ICIRR, and Welcoming America.
• Volunteer Programs Structured volunteer opportunities covering Youth Education (Summer Camp, After School Program, Online Homework Room) and Adult Education Mentorship, with training, continuous support, and feedback for volunteers.
• Know Your Rights Resources Educational resources for immigrants regarding their rights when encountering ICE, including multilingual guides (English, Arabic, Spanish, Pashto, Dari, French), legal resources, and connections to support organizations such as ICIRR and OCAD.

Quantifiable outcome

• 280,000+ refugees supported since founding
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Refugee Action NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCN is a founding member and fiscal sponsor of the Refugee Action Network, a coalition working on refugee advocacy and policy at local levels in Chicago.
• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCN is a member of ICIRR, which provides the Family Support Network Hotline (1-855-435-7693) and Know Your Rights trainings. SCN connects clients to these resources.
• Jewish Federation of Metropolitan ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCN convenes with other refugee-serving organizations under the helm of the Jewish Federation, which serves as the state's intermediary for refugee resettlement.
• Welcoming AmericamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCN is a member of Welcoming America and partners with organizations across the country to amplify refugee welcome and integration efforts.
• Chicago Shakespeare TheatermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with SCN for Little Amal's visit to Chicago, with SCN's youth performers participating in performances. SCN staff (many of whom came as refugees) participated in welcoming events.
• Chicago Children's TheatremajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with SCN to connect Little Amal events to the local refugee community, including youth soccer games organized by SCN.
• Handspring Puppet CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreator of Little Amal puppet, partnered with The Walk Productions for international tour including Chicago stop.
• Beth Am Synagogue (Buffalo Grove)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSCN's Mentorship Program paired refugee families like Ahmad's family with volunteers from this synagogue for tutoring, job assistance, and cultural integration support.
• CircEsteemminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUptown-based organization that partnered with SCN for Little Amal events in the community.
• Soup and BreadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity-based meal project providing free soup from Falafel Kebab Station (Syrian restaurant) at Little Amal events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• World Relief: National evangelical refugee resettlement agency with offices in multiple US cities offering case management, English classes, employment services, and immigration legal assistance. Comparable service mix to SCN's refugee resettlement and education programs.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC): One of the largest US refugee resettlement agencies operating in multiple cities including Chicago, providing case management, employment, immigration legal services, and education. National incumbent to SCN's local/regional model.
• HIAS: Jewish-American refugee resettlement and advocacy agency with resettlement offices across the US, providing legal aid, case management, and integration support. Comparable mission overlap in serving Syrian and other humanitarian-status refugees.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago: Large Chicago-area social services and refugee resettlement agency with case management, immigration legal services, and education programs. Operates a broader service portfolio but competes directly with SCN for refugee clients and resettlement contracts.

Emerging players

• Upwardly Global: National nonprofit focused on employment and career development for immigrants and refugees, including case management and job placement. Comparable client segment (humanitarian-status immigrants) and partial overlap with SCN's employment assistance within case management.
• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR): Statewide advocacy coalition of which SCN is a member. Provides Know Your Rights training and Family Support Network Hotline. Adjacent peer in the immigrant-services ecosystem with overlapping policy and direct-service scope.
• Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago (ECAC): Ethnic-based Chicago nonprofit providing case management, education, and cultural support to Ethiopian immigrants and refugees. Highly comparable community-led, ethnic-anchored service model to SCN.

Direct peers

• RefugeeOne: Chicago-based refugee resettlement and integration nonprofit providing case management, employment, immigration legal services, and youth programs. Highly comparable to SCN's Chicago footprint and integrated service model.
• Heartland Alliance (now Heartland Human Care Services): Chicago-based nonprofit serving refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers with case management, legal aid, mental health, and housing services — a direct operational peer of SCN's case management and immigration legal offerings.

Others

• Refugee Action Network: Chicago-area refugee advocacy coalition co-founded by SCN. Comparable policy and advocacy focus but operates as a coalition/fiscal sponsor rather than direct service provider — relevant for understanding SCN's policy positioning and partnership ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/syriancommunitynetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/syriancommunitynetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/syrian-community-network-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Syrian Community Network