New executive for Dominica Atlanta Community Association

The Dominica Atlanta Community Association (DACA), formerly known as the Dominica Atlanta Cultural Association is a non-profit 501-C organization registered in the state of Georgia; United States of America.

The organization was established on January 2007 and inaugurated in June 2008 in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

The Dominica Atlanta Community Association (DACA) mission and purpose is to create a forum where all Dominican resident in the state of Georgia can come together, to find expression and pursue activities that will benefit the Dominican Community in Georgia as well as at home in the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The Association has been instrumental in promoting Dominica’s cultural heritage within the state of Georgia and in particular, in the cities of the Atlanta and Stone Mountain through the participation at various cultural events. DACA has also contributed and continues to provide to the welfare of Dominicans at home in the form of assistance to individual Dominicans and various institutions.

Some of the contributions made includes providing awards to individuals who has contributed significantly to Dominica’s community, in addition to making donation in the form of school supplies and equipment to various schools in Dominica. Beneficiaries of such assistance were; Tracel Primary School and the Grand Bay Primary School. The Association has also assisted in minimizing the burden of high medical bills for Non-Insured Dominicans in Atlanta who were faced with serious illnesses.

The association’s major goal and focus for the ensuing year 2015 – 2016 is to expand its membership as well as to work on fostering and strengthening the relationships with other associations/stakeholders within the Caribbean Diaspora. As part of DACA’s program of activities the association intends to undertake the following initiatives to include among other things;

a. Educational Support and Supplies; thereby providing assistance and support to students in need of educational supplies and materials. The revitalization of the back to school books and supplies book bag project geared towards needy students attending primary schools in Dominica.

b. Culture: As an ongoing effort to educate and promote Dominica’s rich cultural heritage among Dominicans in the United States of America, and in particular, in the state of Georgia, the organization will engage and participate in events and activities geared towards the promotion of our cultural dances, attire, songs, cuisine and all aspects of Dominica’s culture.

c. Health and wellness: DACA plans to be actively involved with health and wellness programs with the sole purpose of encouraging DACA members as well as to partner with other organizations within the Caribbean Diaspora with similar interest in the promotion of health and wellness.

The Executive Committee and leadership are looking forward to a rewarding, productive and successful year that will encourage membership full participation and engagement. The organization can be contacted for any further information as well as for a calendar of events.

The Association is headed by President; Sherwin E. James, Vice President; Glen Francis, Secretary; John Baptiste John, Treasurer; Juanita John, Assistant Secretary Treasurer; Octavie Alfred, Public Relations Officer; Allison Adjmul, Cultural Chair; Celeana Andrews, Outreach Committee Chair; Benson Benoit, Fundraising Committee Chair; Dave W. James.

Please feel free to visit the association’s website: www.dacaga.org or email via at [email protected]