Programs & Services

AFRICA FEST

AFRICA FEST, started in Madison in 1998, is a family day of music, dance, and other performing arts. Its mission and purpose is to:

• Promote and preserve a greater understanding of African cultures and heritage.
• Unite the diverse ethnic and racial groups of our community.

Since 1998, the African Association of Madison, Inc (AAM) and its partners co-sponsor and produce AFRICA FEST on the third Saturday of August every year. The festival is an educational and enjoyable event devoted to grassroots cultural heritage that feature musicians, artists, performers, cooks, craftspeople, and scholars who demonstrate, present, and discuss the cultural traditions of recent African immigrants in the Madison area.

On the day of the festival, African immigrants in the Madison area sing songs, demonstrate crafts, tell stories, cook everyday and celebratory dishes, illustrate various occupational skills, discuss how they live their daily lives, and address issues of cultural identity, history, and heritage. Food vendors and vendors of authentic African crafts and wares are spread across the park.

IMMIGRATION COUNSELING SERVICES

Immigration Counseling Services are provided in collaboration with Christ Presbyterian Church. AAM members can receive free immigration counseling services. 

The service is provided by immigration lawyers from the community. No appointment needed. It's first come first served. 

This free immigration consultation clinic is held every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

Please feel free to contact Jean-Rene Watchou at 608 257 4845 if you have questions about this free service to the community.

Christ Presbyterian Church
Community Immigration Law Center
944 East Gorham Street
Madison, WI 53703

608 257 4845/217 3008

jeanrene@cpcmadison.org

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Workshops and seminars with proven experts in the legal, financial, educational and housing fields.

FOOD PANTRY

In collaboration with Centro Hispano and help from Second Harvest Food Bank, Community Action Coalition, and other private donations, the Centro Hispano food pantry will be available to AAM members.

The food pantry takes place every Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at 810 West Badger Road (next to the South metro Transfer Station). The pantry also maintains food stock throughout the week to provide for client emergencies as needed.

Furthermore, on the First Wednesday of every month, the food pantry has large food distribution on Centro Hispano's back parking lot, next to the McDonald's Restaurant on Hughes Place. On these Wednesdays Second Harvest brings a large truck with a bountiful amount of food.

No one should go hungry so we are working in earnest with Centro Hispano and other organizations to ensure food security for our communities. The food is free.

Registration is not required and all are welcome to ask for the food. For more information and directions to the offices of Centro Hispano, please visit http://chdc.us/foodpantry.html

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES & PREPAREDNESS
Workshops on preparing new immigrants for the job market, as well as seminars for employers on how to deal with new immigrant workers.