In recognition of the many challenges faced by low income immigrants and refugees in achieving financial security, the Alliance for African Assistance provides ongoing assistance to community members in need as they navigate their way through the complexity of U.S. financial systems.  The mission of the Economic Development Program is to provide holistic educational and supportive services to immigrants, refugees, and low income individuals and families residing in the San Diego community through workshops, trainings, and counseling in financial literacy and micro enterprise. The overarching goal of the Economic Development Program is to empower marginalized community members in order to improve the economic stability of low income individuals, families, and their host communities. The Economic Development Department consists of three fundamental programs: Micro enterprise,  Financial Literacy for Refugee Youth, and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.

The mission of the micro enterprise program is to provide all low-moderate income residents of San Diego with the technical assistance and support they need to develop a new small business or to expand an existing small business within the United States. Emphasis is placed on providing all assistance in a culturally sensitive manner, catering to the specific needs of each prospective business owner. Services  include: 

•    Development and feasibility evaluation of a business idea

•    Consumer and competitor analysis

•    Market research

•    Financial literacy classes

•    Credit management classes

•    Assistance with licensing and other regulations

•    Business plan development

•    Connecting with community partners for financial resources

•    Website development and assistance for new and existing businesses

          Small Business Outreach Program                

The Small Business Outreach Program, which focuses on connecting with existing small businesses within the community, is a sub-division of the Micro enterprise Program. The mission of this program is to personally connect with our neighboring existing businesses and support these small business owners in their efforts to expand. We aim to assist any business toward success by conducting analysis and assessment of the business and the industry, providing guidance with business plan development, assisting with loan applications, and/or providing free website development.  With those efforts in place, businesses will certainly acquire a higher chance to gain a competitive positioning within their industry of operation. Additionally, our presence in the community allows us to facilitate networking between local businesses, strengthening ties with our neighbors.

Financial Literacy for refugee youth

The mission of the financial literacy program is to provide newly-arrived and recently resettled refugees between the ages of 13-24 the educational tools necessary to increase their overall knowledge of money and money management, specifically in the areas of budgeting, credit and debt, checking and savings and taxes. The program takes approximately six weeks to complete and during that time students will attend training sessions in the following topics:

• Money – how to count U.S. coins and bills, purchasing power, tracking expenditures
• Budgeting – income vs. expenses, individual/group budgeting, goal setting
• Earning and Spending – generating income, taxes
• Banking – checking and savings accounts, saving and borrowing, credit and debt

The students have the opportunity to receive cash incentives upon the successful completion of each training session and the opening of a personal savings account. Program instruction is carried out through formal instruction in classroom and computer lab settings, computer lab supervision, home visits, group outings in the community and individual mentoring.

For more information on the Financial Literacy for Refugee Youth Program, please contact Ali Wolters at 619.286.9052 ext. 286 or via email at  aw@alliance-for-africa.org

During the tax filing season, early February to April 15^th, Alliance for African Assistance operates its free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in partnership with the IRS. Volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS to prepare income taxes for low-moderate income San Diego residents. This service is open to all low-moderate income individuals and families and is 100% free of charge. Please call to schedule an appointment.

                       When you come to file your taxes, you will need to bring the following items:

• Social Security Card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for each family member.

• Valid California ID.

• W-2s for all jobs worked during the tax year.

• All 1099 forms for other income, if any.

• Child care provider’s name, address, and tax id number, if applicable.

• Any other tax related documents you have received.

• Voided bank check if you are requesting direct deposit.

• A copy of last year’s return.

• If you status is married filing joint, both spouses must be present to sign return.

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For questions about any of the Economic Development Programs, please contact: Ursula Pfau, Director of Economic Development. Tel: (619) 286-9052 ext. 237 or via e-mail at:  ursula@alliance-for-africa.org