About INGA
INGA Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and nonpolitical community organization of Congolese-Americans and Friends of Northern California. We are incorporated in California as charitable organization.
As a nonprofit organization, INGA Association operates with integrity to ensure the fulfillment of its mission in accordance with its charterINGA Bylaws and INGA Internal Rules & Regulations as community-based social organization dedicated to supporting and promoting its community and raising awareness of richness Congolese cultural in the American society.
We provide various community gatherings, moral and social supports, and mutual supports to friends and members of our
dear community in both happiness and sadness moments. These services are provided in a manner that is consistent with our missions
Our community association is run by volunteers Board Members who take on the challenges of leading our association
in a spirit of promoting a sense of community like an extended family. We are funded by community fundraising events, small membership due, and .
We nurture volunteer community leaders, enhance the well being of Congolese in California, and foster their participation in American society. We encourage our members to be active in their local communities activities and to support good cause like blood drive when they are held in their local communities. Of course, we also encourage our members to give back to their local communities back home in Congo! We provide cultural and community counseling to youth by inspiring them to become good citizen and strive to achieve the American Dream through positive attitude based on integrity.
We sure do a lot of community’s activities. Please come join us if you want to make a difference and meet some great people. INGA community's ceremonies, celebrations or ritual events are not about the EVENT, but they are about TOUCHING the heart and soul of every participant. Our community's ceremonies, celebrations or ritual events are not about the EVENT, but they are about TOUCHING the heart and soul of every participant You can learn more about us by navigating through these pages starting by About Us. For more information, please send us an email at: info@ingaassociation donations
LITTLE BIT HISTORY ON WHO WE ARE
Congolese migration to California has been shaped by the political instability and recent Rwanda and Uganda’s invasion wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). Those wars left a legacy of violence, corruption, and economic collapse that continues to plague the country. While a few Congolese might have arrived in California following Congolese independence in 1960, the first major waves of Congolese migrants in northern California were students in the 1970s. Most students anticipated a temporary stay for educational purposes, but the deteriorating political and economic situation at home led many of them to remain in the United States.
The escalation of conflict in the 1990s created a big wave of political refugees which has swelled the size of the Congolese
community in Northern California from around 50 to several hundred, according to recent community estimates. Most Congolese in California have settled in their new lives and are productive members of the community despite the challenge of new cultural shock that all immigrants go through. They have learned the English language, graduated from American Colleges and Universities, and are busy professionals who come from every walk of life: public/private sector leaders, engineers, accountants, teachers, nurses, priests, professors, lawyers, doctors, students etc. For some of them, they have started new career here in California because the professional expertise and education acquired in the Congo are often not recognized by United States employers, and consequently many educated Congolese have had to take first unskilled and low-paying jobs
like security guard.
English language is also a big challenge to Congolese when they first arrive in the US. Contrary to many African countries
which were British colony, both Congo are French speaking countries. But in a very short time, Congolese easily manage to
adjust to their new homeland language by going to school to learn the English language. Although some families were able to
migrate together, many of them came to United States alone, but have successfully managed to reunite with their families left
behind.
Although Congolese in California come from a range of ethnic and religious backgrounds, they have attempted to overcome divisions and organize into a single Congolese community. Earlier Congolese settlers have become active not only in providing assistance but in creating and nurturing a Congolese cultural identity. First Congolese community leaders formed the Congolese Association in the late 1980s as an informal social and mutual aid organization. It adopted a ByLaws and formal structure in 1997 known today as INGA Association that organise big community social events and gatherings for maintaining Congolese cultural identity of distinct music, dance, and foods.
INGA Association has a new goal-oriented and visionary leadership team dedicated to advance its community. They are distinguished individuals with demonstrated personal and/or professional success in their lives, and are driven by strong believe in the mission of the Community Association.
It takes a community support to make a difference.