About SENCAD
The Senegalese Community for Aid and Self-Development (SENCAD) is a 501(c) non-profit organization founded in 2006, serving the Senegalese community of Atlanta and its surroundings.
A word from the President
“Allow me to express my pleasure to count you among the members of our community and welcome you to our website, which is a driving force for communication between SENCAD and the diaspora — and more particularly the diaspora living in Georgia (USA) and its surroundings.”
SENCAD is a Non-Profit Organization whose goal is to promote self-development while providing assistance to members of the Senegalese community. As an organization, SENCAD has never failed in its mission to bring together and strengthen solidarity between actors within the Senegalese community.
Our vision is to succeed in setting up a strong neighborhood which can guarantee better futures for generations. For these reasons, we encourage you to join our efforts to positively influence the future of our children. I would also like to inform you that we are open to any ideas that will enable us to achieve the mission incumbent upon us.
Please accept my most respectful sentiments.
Our History
Long before the 2000s, a good number of Senegalese had already chosen to immigrate to the state of Georgia given its favorable climate and affordable social and economic life. During this period, the Senegalese had not organized themselves into a community, although different religious groups — “Dahira” — already existed.
For the most part, Senegalese immigrants peacefully went about their concerns without worrying about the problems of their neighbors. When a Senegalese immigrant died, volunteers went door to door to collect funds to help the family repatriate the body of the deceased. In 2005, following two major painful events that had befallen the Senegalese community of Atlanta, the idea of regrouping the Senegalese community of Georgia and its surroundings began taking form.
Thus in 2006, several pioneers officialized the implementation of a social, economic, and cultural environment for Senegalese people under the name of the Senegalese Community for Aid and Self-Development (SENCAD) — a platform allowing the community to connect more efficiently, encouraging self-empowerment, development, and creativity through community awareness programs.
What drives us
Our Vision
SENCAD's vision is to succeed in setting up a strong community which can guarantee our offspring a better future. Our vision includes but is not limited to:
- Having a SENCAD venue to host community activities (daycare center, events, etc.)
- Housing support for newcomers
- Promoting Senegal as a travel destination (summer vacations)
Our Mission
Achieving our goals means:
- Promoting self-development through education, training, and networking
- Facilitating access to administrative documents in collaboration with the Senegalese administration
- Assisting members with immigration and legal matters
- Promoting the teaching and understanding of the culture that binds us together
- Supporting terminally ill members who wish to return to their country of origin
- Contributing to the burial and repatriation costs of deceased members
How the board is organized
The Executive Board is made up of four elected officers, each with defined responsibilities under the SENCAD bylaws.
The Chair
Convenes regularly scheduled meetings and presides over each session, appoints committee members, and serves as an ex-officio voting member of all committees.
The Vice-Chair
Performs the duties and powers of the board chair during the chair's absence or disability.
The Secretary
Keeps records of board actions, oversees meeting minutes, sends announcements, and ensures corporate records are maintained.
The Financial Officer
Oversees expenses, presents financial reports at board meetings, chairs the Finance Committee, and helps develop fundraising plans.
Committees
Coordinates all expenses of the organization and supervises the work of the treasurer, chaired by the Financial Officer.
Organizes education programs and activities, coordinating everything related to education, culture, and training.
Oversees the organization's overall communication strategy, including website content and management.
Puts together a benefit plan and coordinates all aspects related to legal matters.
Responsible for all logistics and planning of SENCAD activities and events.
Strengthens the movement's capacity to help members acquire housing in a healthy, sustainable environment.
Want to get involved?
We're always looking for volunteers and new members to help grow the SENCAD community.