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Continental African Services
Leadership Inspires Greater Heights  Together
With  ABCD
Asset Based Community Development

The Mission,  Process, Goal  and Impact Objective:

Continental African Services LIGHT  (CAS LIGHT) is a capacity building organization.  In our mission we conduct action  research; public education; policy advocacy for inclusion and social justice;  provide trainer-trainee services; develop resources for socioeconomic empowerment; design and establish model programs. 

We work with organizations and businesses in the private sector and government entities in the public sector to leverage resources for strategic developments. The  underlining goal is to foster the readiness and  resilience of the community to address daily life challenges. The impact objective is to reduce health, social and economic barriers in the Continental African community and improve the effectiveness of the community to  implement solutions.

Marylanders

Washingtonians

Virginians

2007: The  African Union Ambassador  to the United States Mrs Amina Salum Ali  presented her diplomatic  credentials to President George W. Bush at the White House. 

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The Constituency:
The  Continental African population constitutes a growing transnational community of  US residents and citizens who trace their presence in America  to migration  from specific African countries.

Based  on  reports from the US Census Bureau, our community is the most educated  demographic group in the US.

Evolving from a predominantly student population in the mid-eighties, the Continental African population is multi-generational and part of the American story.

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February 13, 2008

In the annals of  development in the emerging Africa Diaspora, history was established as a  prototype  for engagement to solutions.

Over 200 community leaders from a cross-section of the African community interfaced with directors of agencies, community-based organizations, federal government representatives,   and Montgomery the County Executive Leggett to articulate the objectives of the Needs Assessments.

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Where are you for the ABCD?

_Since February 2008, Continental African Services LIGHT (formerly Continental African Community) has been conducting  Assent Based Community Development (ABCD).

How do  we measure success?
 
ABCD is  measured and tracked over time to understand how the goals and objectives are  met. The evidence of performance include: 

• Outreach to constituents, including hard-to reach  groups
• Documented research for action and public education
• Developed resource and opportunity that are assigned with needs assessment
  
• Outcome-based  services to constituents
• Programs and events that promote the cultural and civic empowerment
• Programs and outreach that strengthen the capacity of other community organizations to meet stated objectives.

 
In Maryland, the Administration of Montgomery County Executive Isiah "Ike" Leggett solicited Needs Assessment and Recommendation Report  from major minority demographic groups based on these priorities:

• Accountable Government & Responsive Service Delivery. 
• Safe  Streets & Secure Neighborhoods.
• Healthy and Sustainable Communities
• A Strong and Vibrant Economy
• Efficient Transportation System
• Preparing Children to Learn &  Live
•  Vital Living for All of Our Residents
• Affordable Housing  for an Inclusive Community.

The African immigrant community was classified under the generic Black or African American demographic groups group. category and led by the then African American liaison.

October 21, 2007: Ms Evelyn Joe convened a  community leaders' meeting in partnership with APAC led by Chucks Eleonu. The purpose was to address the needs of the community and its distinctive classification in order to attain the benefits of inclusion by public and private institutions.

The meeting was attended by Professor McDougall as an observer from the County's Office of Community Partnership.

The outcomes of the interactive dialogue were part of the Needs Assessment and Recommendation Report with the participation of over  700 people in various meetings, surveys and community-based research on identified  priorities in the Report.

December 11, 2007. The first in the nation government-community partnership, you may download the official Needs Assessment and Recommendation Report submitted to the county at the Black Summit .  Download

The County prepared a summarized Report of all Needs Assessments and Recommendation  Report of all demographic groups.  Download

The incremental and long term goals of the Need Assessment and Recommendation Report are to serve as guides in developing capacity, implementing solutions, evaluating  outcomes, and replicate best practices.