ATEER
Arab American Teen Volunteers
Arab American Teen Volunteers is an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for the Arab American youth to support Syria by volunteering in hospitals and educational centers, as well as participating in community service.
Why Syria?
Roots
36% of the population had to flee Syria during the Arab Spring of 2011. Now with this newly free country, many of these families in America are looking for a way to contribute to its growth.
Humanitarian Aid
16.5 million or 66% of Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance.
3 million children are out of school.
59% of primary care centers are not functional.
13.5 million Syrians are displaced.
Opportunity
There is so much potential for the country to grow, now being the most crucial time to help. As teens of Arab descent, we must ensure that Syria has enough support to thrive and become a first world country.
Our Vision
To rebuild the connection that many families have lost and ignite the same passion that many parents have for Syria within the next generation while supporting Syrian children in need.
Who are we?
On December 8 2024, Syria was liberated from the Assad regime. This marked the day of change, the first time I saw my grandmother jump into the air from sheer joy. Yet I couldn’t help myself from feeling the same joy as her, despite not ever being able to make that connection with Syria. One year later, I was given the opportunity to visit Syria for the first time, and I felt this urge to help.
I am second generation Syrian immigrant and a junior in high school in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to be a leader; whether as the captain of my track team or leader of group projects, I have always strived to be the one people could look to for advice, help, and support. In addition, I am not someone who sits back and watches change happen—I try to be the first to make change happen. So when I was looking for volunteer opportunities for teens in Syria, I was surprised when I couldn’t find any, even after it had been liberated for a year. That is when I realized that I needed to make the change; I needed to take the lead and create these opportunities for teens to support Syria any time they can. That is why I founded Ateer: to create a hub for a range of volunteer opportunities in Syria—you only need to apply and act. I am looking to partner with organizations, groups, and individuals who want to work together to make a change and support the Syrian youth.
