West African Community Collaborative
T
he West African Community Collaborative (WACC), based in the State of Virginia,
USA, is a collective of non-profit, faith-based, and direct-service organizations
within Fairfax County’s West African community. The Collaborative serves as the
county’s resource for insight, trends and, challenges within the African community and
heads initiatives to make information and services readily accessible. Members of WACC
serve on committees that address cultural issues, education, workforce development, human
services, and community-building networks. Within this framework the members strive to
serve a broad range of closely inter-related challenges that face the West African community.
WACC provides direct services that benefit constituents of West African descent. As referrals are passed on to WACC, the following services are provided by individual, human services agencies, and member-organizations within the collaborative:
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Family support groups/parenting groups
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Youth college preparation programs
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Cultural programming for youth
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Community resources and outreach programs
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Mental health services
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Interpretation services: (Twi, Ga, Fanti, Krio, Temne, Mende, and French)
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Cultural competency training (schools, agencies, and county staff)
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Resume workshops
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Adult career planning
WACC’s next workshop will focus on immigration challenges in the African community to
address issues of “hiding in the dark”. The organization will also tackle the growing health
dilemma faced by the African community with the recent rise in death. WACC is always
looking to partner with churches and organizations to improve the quality of life for West
African families. They can be reached at [email protected].
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