Celebrating over 20 years of Success and Achievements!
As a community-based organization, ACANA’s primary purpose is to be an advocate for the African and Caribbean community. Highlights of our achievements throughout the 20 years of our existence include:
ACANA Success & Achievements
Provided testimony in support of a 2014 Philadelphia city council legislation that would keep immigrant families together and non-violent undocumented immigrants out of detention.
Present: ACANA started its Community Development Corporation (CDC) providing corridor cleaning and business development assistance.
The establishment of the West African Teen Retrieval Program (WATREP), a free after-school and summer enrichment program targeted at West African refugee children.
The establishment of the ACANA Serving and Transforming African Youth (A-STAY) program, a youth centered anti-violence program that worked to build relationships and diffuse tensions between African immigrant children and host communities.
The creation of the Strategic Workforce Inclusiveness Focused Training & Referral Program (SWIFT), an employment training and culture sensitivity program was created for address the needs of youth based job training..
Successful advocacy for immigration relief during the West African Ebola virus disease outbreak of 2014and advocated for Liberian TPS for Liberian.
The rehabilitation and repair of at least seven dilapidated buildings on the Chester Avenue corridor, all of which are in use today and owned by ACANA.
The African Festival, which is today part of the PECO Multicultural Festival Series. Attracted over 20,000 festival goers
ACANA Immigration and Legal Services Department ACANA immigration and legal services department began serving African and Caribbean immigrants in the Philadelphia region, initially providing service to over 160 immigrants. We currently service over 10500 immigrants and members of the community .
Present: The ACANA Health and Mental Health services
ACANA Recording Studio ACANA recording studio was opened to the general public.
ACANA hosted its first African Festival at Penn’s landing
Youth Anti-Violence Program The agency engaged youth in its Youth Anti-Violence Program and served over 600 Philadelphia immigrant and other youth.
ACANA was awarded a grant to engage Refugees and Asylees in the Philadelphia region
ACANA started its after school program for immigrants and other youth in the Philadelphia area
African Cultural Alliance Of North America (ACANA) Was Founded The African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) was founded in 1999. It was incorporated in October 1999 as a response to the overwhelming requests for help by the African refugees, asylees and immigrant community members in dealing with the stressors.