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HELPING HANDS
ReBuilding
Published on : 2011-04-16
Irish Music Concert Benefited the People of Haiti
On April 2, Father Joseph Foley, C.M., a Vincentian priest and an NGO at the United Nations, sponsored a fundraiser to support the people of Haiti. Almost 200 attended an afternoon
of outstanding music by traditional Irish musicians, Mary Courtney and Morningstar as well as a lively and exceptional appearance by The Hagen School of Irish Dance. The proceeds from the benefit concert went to Zafen, a project of the International Vincentian Family. This project is a
commitment to help the people of Haiti improve educational opportunities for their children and create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families after the earthquake.
Through Zafen, one can make interest free loans or donations as small as $ 25 which can offer people not served by traditional banks, access to resources that can help them emerge from conditions of poverty. Lenders are linked in real time to projects they can track over the course of twelve monthsthe usual repayment period.
At the concert Fr. Foley stated that Zafen had been launched worldwide one year ago and in only the first six months over 1000 scholarships were given to Haitian children and 400 micro-finance projects were fully funded. Loan repayment is in the neighborhood of 95% thus making that money available to yet other business venture. He encouraged those present to share with family and friends the news about this innovative pathway to the Haitian people and gave examples of ways that groups such as families, clubs, schools or other organizations, can become involved and contribute as a team. All present were given brochures and encouraged to visit the website www.Zafen.org to learn more.
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Published on : 2011-02-15
In Remembrance: NYABPsi Raises Funds for Haiti Earthquake Anniversary
Since the Haiti earthquake of 2010, NYABPsi has partnered together with the New York Chapter of the  National Association of Black Social Workers to offer sustained support to the Haitian community in New York City affected by the devastation. Earthquake survivors continue to migrate to the area since the disaster and more recent flooding and cholera outbreak.The mission of the committee is to promote holistic health and healing as well as resource information for New York based Haitians who are dealing with the long-lasting effects of the Haiti earthquake.
As part of our ongoing Haiti relief and recovery efforts, the committee has engaged in a fundraising effort involving the creation of a 2011 Calendar: "Art from the Heart for Haiti". The project was designed to provide support for the committee's Haiti relief work in NYC as well as a a grassroots organization (Restavek Freedom) in Haiti helping to promoting holistic health and healing. The beautiful artwork presented in the calendar was created by children from the Haitian Family Resource Center in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, where many earthquake survivors have migrated to in New York City. Guided by project coordinator, Dr. Jamila Codrington (Committee Chair), and Fabiola Desmont (Committee Member), the children created art work that reflected thoughts and feelings related to the following questions: Why are you proud to be Haitian? What are the good memories you have of Haiti? What are your hopes and wishes for what Haiti will be like in the future? What are ways that Haitians can keep helping each other in difficult times? The children's artwork embodied a spirit of resilience and strength.
Dr. Codrington assists a young girl from the Haitian Family Resource Center in displaying her artwork (Left); Committee Members (Jamila Codrington & Fabiola Desmont) are joined by City Council Member Jumaane Williams and his Director of Community Organizing (James Lewis, Jr.) at the Haitian Family Resource Center (Right)
Calendars are still on sale...support our Haiti relief efforts!
To purchase a calendar, contact Dr. Codrington at nyabpsi1@yahoo.com
or attend our upcoming Black History Month event.
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Published on : 2011-01-12
In Remembrance of Haiti: Earthquake Anniversary
Remembering Haiti: NYABPsi Call to Action
One year ago, today,The Haitian Diaspora felt the human aftershock of the earthquake in their homeland. The quake continues to send powerful reverberations through massive homelessness and displacement amidst a deadly cholera outbreak, rampant sexual assaults of women and children in tent cities, and global relief efforts that seem to yield little progress. For  survivors who have migrated to the U.S., denial of federal benefits and enforced departure after expired visas bring about daily struggles for survival. Hundreds of remembrance events are taking place all over the country to commemorate this tragic episode in our history. Indeed, a collective moment of reflection to remember the departed souls and honor the survivors of the earthquake that devastated the island nation of Haiti is critical for the recovery process. As we pause to pay homage to the nearly quarter of a million people that died, it reaffirms the worthiness of each of their lives and allows us to connect with their everlasting spirit. However, if the remembrance ends with a one-minute moment of silence, a candlelight vigil, or a single day of singing, praying or fasting, we have missed an invaluable opportunity to truly come together and stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti through actions that offer sustained support.
Let our remembrance be a call to action!
How can our remembrance re-ignite dialogue about actions that truly bring forth change for the Haitian Diaspora? How can our remembrance propel us forward in putting into practice the African ethical principal of collective work and responsibility ("Ujima" in Swahili)? How can we work together with the people of Haiti in our own communities in a dignity-affirming, self-empowering, and life enhancing way? NYABPsi invites us all to remember...and to act!
One small way you can join our efforts is to practice the principle of "Ujamaa" (cooperative economics) by supporting our fundraiser for our Haiti Relief work in NYC. A 2011 calender with beautiful art work from children at the Haitian Family Resource Center (in Brooklyn, New York) will soon be for sale! A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to a grassroots organization in Haiti that promotes mental health and healing of Haitians affected by the earthquake disaster. More information forthcoming!
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Published on : 2010-11-22
Gift of Water/Cholera Outbreak
Dear All,
The day I arrived in Haiti, October 20, 2010, the first case of cholera was reported. My fear and that of every Haitian was that the outbreak would escalate. As of November 24, the Ministry of Health has reported a total of 72,017 cases of cholera and 1,648 deaths. Cholera is now virtually everywhere in the country and cases have been reported in the Dominican Republic and the United States. The Pan American Health Organization has exhorted us to work with other organizations to provide clean water, improve sanitary conditions, and to provide treatment to the ill. They indicated that in the short term efforts must focus on distributing chlorine tablets as well as oral rehydration salts to everyone.
I am attaching a letter from Pete Murphy, President of Gift of Water, Inc. in Carmel, Indiana asking for your help in obtaining large quantities of chlorine tablets. They have the capability to purchase, ship and distribute the tablets. I urge you to consider helping them and the people of Haiti at this critical time.
Please continue to pray for Haiti and for the families of those who have been affected by this devastating disease.
Gratefully,
Theresa Patterson
Parish Twinning Program of the Americas
GIFT OF WATER APPEAL
November 22, 2010
To the Members of the Parish Twinning Program of the Americas,
As you are well aware, Haiti is a country with tremendous infrastructure problems, and clean water has often been at the core of poor health among much of the population. As I write this letter to you, Haiti is also suffering through a cholera epidemic that has affected all of its departments.
My name is Pete Murphy, and in partnership with a talented group of Indiana individuals, we have re-initiated the Gift of Water (GoW) purifier program. This simple, effective purifier system, which provides water that has been both chlorinated and filtered, has been helping fight diseases in Haiti for more than 15 years. I have two primary purposes for contacting you today.
First, I would like to update you on our efforts. Today, we are shipping our second full container of water purifiers to Haiti. During 2010 alone, in conjunction with parishes associated with the Parish Twinning Program, we have sent over 4,000 complete water purification systems to Haitian communities. Furthermore, we are helping deliver filters and spare parts to many of the original 30,000 GoW households. We are excited to be forging ahead with core aspects of the GoW mission to “provide clean and available drinking water to improve the health of impoverished Haitians”. We are interested in working with your organization to expand our efforts to support as many Haitian households as possible with these systems. You have the knowledge and familiarity with local communities in Haiti; we can provide the initial units, along with training, knowledge, and experience implementing a sustainable program at the local level. For a more detailed understanding of both the filtration systems and the associated implementation process, please look at our website at www.giftofwater.org.
Secondly, we need your help preventing the further spread of cholera. Gift of Water has a strong relationship with a key chlorine tablet manufacturer and, with additional financial resources, could expedite these tablets directly into Haiti. Chlorine tablets, combined with proper sanitation practices, are the single most critical method of eliminating the cholera bacteria. Additionally, these tablets offer multiple benefits: guaranteed quality, pre-dosed, stable for 5 years, easy to transport, easy to use and easy to store. They are ideal to use in the emergency situation Haiti faces today. However, more funds are necessary to acquire greater quantities of tablets and strengthen our infrastructure of support in Port au Prince. Please consider making a donation to Gift of Water to help us with this immediate need.
GoW is a federally approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. If you would like references from parishes we are currently associated with, or have any other questions, please feel free to contact me by any of the means noted below. Our team is eager to share our approach for helping our distressed brothers and sisters in Haiti.
On behalf of the Gift of Water program, along with its new Board of Directors, thank you for considering an opportunity to partner together to help at this crucial time in Haiti.
Sincerely,
Pete Murphy
President
Gift of Water, Inc.
(317) 490-7197
pete.murphy@giftofwater.org
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Published on : 2010-04-22
Haitian Memorial Foundation in Haiti
Click here to open PDF document
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Published on : 2010-04-06
SUPPORTIVE GROUP STARTING FOR FRENCH SPEAKING HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS
THE INSTITUTE FOR IMMIGRANT CONCERNS SPONSORED BY THE COLLEGE OF MOUNT SAINT VINCENT WILL BE STARTING A FREE GROUP FOR HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS LED BY A FRENCH SPEAKING PSYCHOLOGIST, KATHE HIFT, PHD.
THE GOAL OF THE GROUP IS TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES AND CURRENT CONCERNS IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING OR WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL DONNA KELSH, DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE FOR IMMIGRANT CONCERNS AT 1-212-421-9538 (EXT 25).
LOCATION: 4 WEST 43RD ST (5TH FLOOR)
DATE: MONDAYS
TIME: 3:30 TO 4:30 PM
STARTING DATE: IMMEDIATELY
CONTACT: DONNA KELSH
212- 421-9538 (EXT 25)
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