Hundreds of community members attended the Mayoral Candidate's Forum this past Monday evening at Americana.  The forum could be heard in four different languages as eight of fourteen candidates answered questions first provided by many of Louisville's ethnic leaders and then by audience members.  Check out highlights and photos from the Courier Journal. A big thanks to all those who came out to participate in American and Americana style democracy.

Candidates for the 2010 mayoral election have been invited to attend a community forum at the Americana Community Center on March 8th from 6:30-8:00PM.  Ethnic leaders and other members of the international community in Louisville will be in attendance.

Candidates will address the attendees and outline their vision for the community under their administration.
The forum will be an interactive question and answer session, focusing first on the questions of ethnic community leaders and later on questions of the attendees. “We want to make sure that they know what the community needs are,” said Joseph Twagilimana, President of the Rafiki Club, a local Rwandan group. “They are here to serve the community and sometimes our needs are not addressed by leaders.”

Candidates from the Democratic, Republican, and Independent parties have been invited.

The Americana Community Center would like to give a huge thank you to all the volunteers who came out to volunteer on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  By deciding to make it a day on instead of a day off, volunteers were able to help staff in a number of projects, including painting, cleaning, and organizing around the Center.  A special thanks goes to the University of Louisville, State Farm Insurance, and Carrell Rogers Cleaning & Restoration for sending over 40 volunteers!    

 Edgardo Mansilla, Executive Director, will be a guest speaker at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The theme this year is “On Being A Good Neighbor” and he will be speaking about issues related to immigration. The event starts  at the Presbyterian Center, 100 Witherspoon St and will later move to the Waterfront Park and the Mid-Kentucky Presbytery office. You can find more information on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) website.

The Courier-Journal visited our holiday party and posted some excellent pictures of ACC in action. A very big thanks to all the volunteers, staff, donors and families that made this possible as well as to the Courier-Journal and anyone else who shared a little of their holidays with us.

The Holiday party is one of Americana’s biggest events of the year.  It is a chance for all of the community to learn and appreciate cultural diversity as expressed in the variety of holidays celebrated by the different ethnic groups in our area.  It is an opportunity for the community to gather together as one and fellowship with one another.  It is also a chance to prepare for the demands of the winter by ensuring that every family is outfitted with sufficient clothing for the season.  The party will consist of games, family portraits and the chance to meet Santa Claus!  The children will receive a gift as well as a hat and pair of gloves. 

Last year, Americana provided toys, hats and gloves to over 350 children. If you would like to contribute time by volunteering at the event or send monetary donations, please see the contact information below.

Americana Community Center's Family Education Program is one of eight programs selected as a finalist for Metro United Way’s LIVE UNITED Social Innovation Prize. The LIVE UNITED Social Innovation prize, presented by Ernst & Young, is designed for changemakers in Kentuckiana who are prepared to put their ideas into action. Prizes totaling $25,000 will be awarded to the innovators who gain the most support from the community.

 Come to Americana Community Saturday Aug 8th 8:30am til 12:00 noon to get the information you need to get ready for school:

• Bus Schedule
• ESL Classes
• Uniform Assistance
• Passport Health Plans
• Free/reduced Meals

Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Some free school supplies will be available as well.

Questions? Contact Francesca at 502-366-7813  or francesca @ americanacc.org

Presented by FIND of Louisville and Americana Community Center. Flier attached.

Americana World Festival 1st Annual

6v6 Soccer Tournament - June 6, 2009

Football! Soka! لعبة كرة القدم! Fútbol! サッカー! Fußball! 足球! Fudbal! 축구! Soccer!

Registration fee per team is $75.00
(includes tournament t-shirt and trophy for winning team)

Register by May 26th!  See the attached files for the Registration Form, Tournament Rules, and Flier.

Contact Sara at americanacc.org or call 502-366-7813  with questions.