May/June 2012:

It’s that time of year again! The 22nd annual Americana World Festival will be held on Saturday, June 2, from 11am-9pm at our center (4801 Southside Dr.). The event is FREE and fun for the whole family. 

Festival-goers will enjoy a full day of performances, food, and fun. Entertainment this year will include the local band Mercy Academy; hip-hop group CPHR DVN; the Coco Yam Band; Native American musician Michael Jacobs; a Bollywood dance troupe; belly dancers; a traditional Burundian drumming ensemble and more. A “Kids Zone” will feature games and activities for children, such as face-painting and bounce houses, until 8 p.m. A variety of food and beverages will be sold by on-site vendors. International crafts and other goods will be available for purchase from local artists and vendors. Several community organizations and nonprofits will be on hand as a service to the public.

A recognition ceremony at noon during the festival will honor community leaders who have been integral in
supporting Americana Community Center, including Congressman John Yarmuth.

There will also be a raffle for prizes from several local businesses. The raffle grand prize will be $500 cash. Raffle tickets cost $1 each and can be purchased in advance at participating ValuMarket locations and at the festival on the day of the event at the Americana booth.

A soccer tournament will again be part of the festivities. Registration is now open. See the flyer for additional information.

Americana World Festival is brought to you by Americana Community Center with the generous support of
ValuMarket, UPS,  and  Fifth Third Bank. Additional support provided by  Louisville Lightning,  Family
HealthCenters, TARC, Yum! Brands, L&N Federal Credit Union, AARP of Kentucky, and KentuckyOne Health.

March 2012:

Our long-awaited renovations will begin Monday, March 12! The first stage will include installation of an elevator for those who need assistance, which will open our programs to more of our community. This will be a multiyear, multifaceted project to renovate and expand the center.

Many things will change at ACC over the coming months & years, beginning with access to our center. Our front doors that face Southside will be closed as of Monday, as will the door to our parking lot by the front office. As of Monday, please enter Americana through the rear stairwell door, near the health clinic and playground. Also, a portion of our parking lot will be closed off during this phase of construction. Parking is often available next door at St. John Vianney.

Keep checking in here and via our social media feeds for updates on the renovation.

We continue to raise funds for the overall capital campaign for the renovations. To invest in this exciting campaign for the future of our community, please send donations to: ACC Dreams Campaign 4801 Southside Drive Louisville, Kentucky 40214 or via our Web site.

January 2012:

AMERICANA CELEBRATES THE END OF A GREAT YEAR AND BEGINS THE NEW YEAR WITH DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE

Americana Community Center announces with great excitement and gratitude that they were able to match a $1.4 million dollar challenge grant from the J. Graham Brown Foundation through generous donations from our community.

“The Foundation believes that the work the Americana Community Center is doing is vital to this community and we are pleased to be able to participate in this important campaign,” said J. Graham Brown Foundation President Mason B. Rummel. “We are particularly delighted that the center was able to raise the funds to renovate and expand the center and that the community has been so responsive, affirming the important role of the center in Metro Louisville.”

Americana continues to raise funds for the overall capital campaign to renovate and expand the center, located at 4801 Southside Drive. Americana plays a key role in the Louisville Metro community, representing 33 zip codes and serving people from 83 countries. The Louisville community continues to invest in the larger $2.5 million dollar Dreams for the Future campaign, with donations ranging from $5 dollars to the $1 million dollars already invested by Kosair Charities.

To invest in this exciting campaign for the future of our community, please send donations to: ACC Dreams Campaign 4801 Southside Drive Louisville, Kentucky 40214 or via our Web site: www.americanacc.org

The multiyear renovation and expansion project includes:

 Phase I: Installation of an elevator to improve accessibility & ADA compliance; creation of a larger lobby & front office area to provide a secure and welcoming point of entry for clients and visitors.
 Phase II: Replacement of all windows in the building and installation of a high efficiency HVAC system allowing for more spending on programming over utilities and eliminating the need for the older, less efficient boiler system currently in use.
 Phase III: Construction of additional office space to allow ACC staff to work in a common area, instead of throughout the building, improving communication and performance.

Americana remains committed to being a part of Metro Louisville and improving the quality of life for all residents. Americana programs are designed with this vision in mind and include: Family Education, youth programs, Adult Education & GED, Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, citizenship classes, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), our community garden, and the annual Americana World Festival, held each June. Americana also continues to grow as a community gathering place that hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including ethnic holiday celebrations, area meetings, and health fairs.

“I am honored to be a friend of the Americana Community Center,” said Carla Wallace, community leader and co-founder of the Fairness Campaign. “I believe the Center and it’s people are among the most valuable resources of our community. Only by committing ourselves to building an inclusive Metro Louisville can we build the community we all can be proud of.”

During fiscal year 2010-11, 1260 adults were enrolled in Adult Education classes at ACC, 505 children and youth attended ACC after-school and summer programs, 37 families were enrolled in the Family Education Program, 229 tax returns were prepared for those in need of assistance, 41 community groups utilized the center for special events and countless children, teens, and their families enjoyed the Americana soccer fields and playground.

For additional information, please contact Executive Director Edgardo Mansilla at edgardo@americanacc.org or by phone at 502-366-7813.

January 2012:

We’re trying to be more social! Click on those colorful buttons in the sidebar to find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr. We’ll be branching out to YouTube soon.
Like us, friend us, tweet & retweet us, and check out our photos. We also welcome your direct feedback, comments, questions, stories…