Acomi opens a second location in Fort Rouge

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This article was published 21/07/2022 (791 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FORT ROUGE

African Communities of Manitoba Inc., a non-profit group that provides resources and programs to individuals of all ages, recently launched its second hub at a new, central location.

On July 10, Acomi welcomed the public to 301 Nassau St. N. to view the modern, tech-forward facility.

“In the past 10 years, our population and community has grown, so we needed a bigger space,” said Chuks Ojidoh, the director of community programs for Acomi. “We also needed to be more accessible to people who live in different areas of the city.”

All programs at the flagship 101-421 Kennedy St. office, including after-school drop-ins and the income tax program, remain unchanged.

The Nassau Street North office offers Acomi’s clients — as well as other non-profit or community groups who may borrow the space — the use of a boardroom, a multi-use lecture room and a kitchenette. The lecture room features a projector, whiteboard and TV.

“Anybody who wants to use here for an event doesn’t have to bring anything,” Ojidoh said. “We are trying to empower local groups.”

Ojidoh anticipates the organization’s seniors and youth groups will particularly benefit from the space, which sits next to a bike path and major bus route.

The community has shown great interest in the new space in the short while since it opened, Ojidoh said. The multi-use room is almost booked solid until the end of December. It hosted three events before the official opening date.

“The community loves it,” said Acomi president Titi Tijani. “Instead of having a meeting at someone’s home, come have your meeting here. It elevates and builds capacity — the feel of being professional.”

With the new location comes the launch of a mailbox system for partner organizations. For groups that may work remotely, having an address linked to an office adds legitimacy, especially for grant applications, Tijani said.

“It’s better that you use a professional address,” Tijani said, adding that Acomi notifies members when their mail arrives.

Founded in the fall of 2007, Acomi now works with about 35 affiliate members.

New to the Acomi team are Rami Saad, project manager, and Dorothy Lynnette Harmon, the youth engagement co-ordinator.

“I’m looking forward to adding more to the African community, and to be open to all other communities,” Saad said.

Harmon recently graduated from the University of Winnipeg’s urban and inner-city studies program and the international development studies program. Before that, she studied community economic development.

“I’ve been all over the place and have so many ideas,” Harmon said, adding that Acomi is the perfect place to hit the ground running.

Tijani and her team see the new office as a launch pad for Acomi’s future endeavours. Tijani says the next step is opening a community centre, with housing for Black Canadians and a daycare.

“So that’s a long-term project, but of course not too long,” Tijani said, with a chuckle. “It’s been a dream of our community to have an Africa centre where we can have a gym space for youth programming … to have activities and to host different kinds of events.”

For more information about Acomi, visit www.africancommunities.ca