Brigitte Fawaz-Anouti

Brigitte Fawaz-Anouti joined ACCESS in 1980 as a summer youth leader, and within two years, became the first food and shelter coordinator. She systematized a process of weekly and monthly mass food distributions, mainly with the efforts and support of volunteers. Brigitte was promoted to unit supervisor in 1989 and assumed control of daily operations of the Social Services Department, ACCESS Summer Youth Program, VISTA Program and co-produced, along with the ACCESS deputy director, a community outreach cable show called Strictly Live.

In 2003, Brigitte was promoted to director of the Social Services Department Main & Special Projects, where she works diligently to develop and implement vital programs to effectively meet the needs of the community at large. In addition, Brigitte leads logistical planning for many of the ACCESS major events, such as the annual ACCESS Anniversary Dinner, which draws more than 2,500 attendees, ACCESS Legislative Day, grand openings/ribbon cutting events, and more.

In 2007, Brigitte was assigned as the project manager for the ACCESS main office construction project, where she provided oversight from the preliminary concept plan to completion in 2010. The office is now known as the ACCESS Youth & Family Services Center.

In addition to her role as director of Social Services Department Main & Special Projects, Brigitte actively serves on the Michigan Hospice Southeastern Regional Advisory Board, DTE Community Advisory Council, and the boards of Village Community Credit Union and Dearborn Symphony Orchestra. Brigitte is a former board member of the State of Michigan and the Wayne County Department of Social Services, as well as the Michigan Quality Community Care Council (QC3).

She is a graduate of Leadership Detroit Class XIX and a recipient of the 2000 Yemen American Benevolent Association (YABA) Outstanding Community Services award.