African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA)
5521-5523 Chester Ave.
Philadelphia, PA
Neighborhood: Southwest Philadelphia (Kingsessing)
Learners: North and West African
Type of Instruction: Coaching (small group tutoring under direction of ESL teacher)
Site Supervision: ESL teacher
Schedule: Mondays-Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Description: The African Cultural Alliance of North America Inc. (ACANA) is a non-profit social service and cultural organization dedicated to providing services which enrich the lives of the African immigrants in Southwest Philadelphia and the surrounding area. ACANA was founded in 1999 to bridge the gap between the African immigrant community and the American community and assist in the resettlement process in Pennsylvania. The organization seeks to help refugee and immigrant families access health and other social benefits with a focus on women, children, youth and the elderly. Classes at ACANA are sponsored by the Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition (SEAMAAC). Project SHINE coaches also help at SEAMAAC classes at SEAMAAC South Philly, the Chinese Association, and AmeriChoice.
Other Services and Activities Offered at Site: ACANA offers socioeconomic services including job search assistance, medical assistance, legal assistance, basic education and computer classes, adjustment of immigration status, and advocacy on behalf of immigrants, refugees, residents, and new citizens.
Learn more at: acanaus.org
Public Transportation from Temple University: Take the Broad Street Line to City Hall and make the free transfer to Trolley 13 going towards Darby. Get off at 55th St. and Chester Ave. and walk about half a block west on Chester Ave. until you reach ACANA.
Driving from Temple University: Take Broad Street to Spring Garden and turn right. Follow Spring Garden to the Philadelphia Art Museum. After crossing to get on Eakins Oval, pass the Art Museum steps on your right, staying in the far right lane. Continue along the Museum, bearing to your right. (Do not go under the bridge to West River Drive.) Cross Spring Garden Bridge, staying in the left lane. Cross 31st Street. At 32nd, turn left at the left-hand turn signal. Go 3-4 short blocks to Powelton Ave. Make a right and stay on Powelton until it turns into Market Street, at 44th St. Turn left on 44th St. and continue until it dead ends into Baltimore Ave. Turn left on Baltimore Ave., go for one block and turn right onto Chester Ave. Continue until you cross 55th St. and arrive at ACANA.
For more travel options, visit www.septa.org, and click on “Plan My Trip,” or visit maps.google.com and click on “Get directions.”