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 Centro Hispano and the Jewish Social Services (JSS). AAM members can receive affordable immigration counseling services.

The inexpensive and within your means fees for the services are on a sliding scale, and could be free, based on an individual's financial and credit status. The program is a partnership with JSS which funds a position at Centro Hispano.

The US Board of Immigration Appeals has recognized JSS Madison since 2005, and an accredited representative assists immigrants who are unable to afford the fees of immigration attorneys.

Janice Beers is the immigration specialist with JSS. She has office hours at Centro Hispano to see clients by appointment on Monday's from noon to five in the afternoon (12 noon to 5:00 PM).

For appointment to see Janice Beers at Centro Hispano for immigration counseling, please call:

Centro Hispano
835 W. Badger Road
Madison, WI 53713
Telephone: (608) 255-3018
Fax: (608) 255-2975

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.