Let’s Rejoice Together at HAUP’s 36th Anniversary Dinner!

Rejoice! Yes, because we have much to be thankful for, let’s rejoice together at HAUP’s 36^th anniversary dinner on October 8, 2011.

This past May, President Barack Obama yielded to our pleas on behalf of our Haitian brothers and sisters victimized by last year’s earthquake: he extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to a broader group of Haitians and renewed its benefits to those already qualified for another 18 months. His decision to extend the eligibility cut-off date by a year from January 12, 2010 to January 12, 2011 brings joy and comfort to the thousands of Haitians who sought refugee with family and friends immediately after the quake because their homes and their livelihood had been destroyed.

TPS benefits both Haiti and the United States. It reduces the burden on Haiti of feeding and caring for the Haitians who would otherwise be subject to deportation from the US. TPS does not add to the US deficit, yet extends the President’s commitment to a vibrant and productive Haiti through bilateral and multilateral assistance.

While the United States and its allies have done much in the past year to support Haiti’s recovery and reconstruction, economic growth and political stability remain a dream deferred. We hope that Haiti’s new President and legislature will provide the leadership necessary to allow for growth and prosperity. Most observers however agree that real economic progress is years away. Meanwhile, Haiti remains vulnerable to the vagaries of nature (floods, tropical storms, hurricanes) and societal misfortunes (health emergencies such as cholera outbreaks, malnutrition, increased commodities and food costs due to world price fluctuations).

This is why we have deepened our commitments to our community and the people of Haiti by exploring more organic ways for increasing our impact there while getting ready for the inevitable emergencies caused by hurricanes and tropical storms.

Meanwhile, we once again celebrated a Haiti baseball day with the NY Mets this year. We did all of this while continuing to provide the services that individual, corporate, state and city of New York grants have consistently supported. We are thankful for a staff and donors who go beyond the call of duty to ensure service delivery that consistently earns praise and recognition across the city.

Because we did not stand still, because you hit the ground running with us, we performed miracles big and small this year. Together we can achieve even more miracles for our community in the future.

We hope that you will make our 36^th Anniversary Gala an extra special one this year by partnering with us and the circle of leaders who have already helped us realize much of our dream. We are once again offering attractive platinum, gold, silver and bronze sponsorship packages that will reflect well on you and your constituents. Naturally, your sponsorship will automatically entitle you to membership in our leadership circle which, in addition to intimate private gatherings twice a year, provides you with special news briefs and opportunities for enhanced exposure.

Our gala event will be held at Antun’s, in Queens Village on October 8, 2011. In addition to celebrating our 36^th year of service to an ever-growing community, we hope that we will be able to announce that, thanks to your generosity, support and partnership, we are well on our way to building HAUP to strengthen hope!

Gratefully yours,

Elsie Saint-Louis Accilien
Executive Director

P.S.: I truly believe that together we can achieve miracles for our community. We have made much progress since we set out to build community through dedicated and appropriate service. Your support will bring us yet closer to our goals. I am counting on your partnership. Please act now!

Haitian Community Activists Bid Hello/Goodbye to Educators

Some 200 Haitian community activists and their supporters gathered at Autun’s in Queens Village on Saturday June 11 to celebrate the appointment of Carole Berotte Joseph to the Presidency of Bronx Community College.

According to the announcement released by the City University of New York, “Dr. Berotte Joseph, whose career in higher education spans more than 35 years, has been president of Massachusetts Bay Community College, located in Wellesley Hills, Mass., since 2005. Her appointment as the President of Bronx Community College marks her return to CUNY, where she served as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Hostos Community College in the Bronx after having been a faculty member at City College for over 20 years. Prior to becoming president of MassBay, she was Chief Academic Officer and Dean of Academic Affairs at Dutchess Community College of The State University of New York. A prominent authority in the field of sociolinguistics, she is the co-editor, with professor Arthur Spears of City College, of the groundbreaking book, “The Haitian Creole Language: History, Structure, Use and Education,” which was published last year.”

The event also paid tribute to the work of the Haitian Bilingual Education and Technical Assistance Center (HABETAC) which, along with all the other New York State Funded BETAC, will close its doors on June 30 because of the budget axe.

HABETAC was created in 1993 through an endeavor of the City College of New York (CUNY) under the leadership of Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph, Carmen Perez Hogan at the New York State Education Department, and Haitian community members and educators. Its purpose was to address the unmet educational needs and concerns of Haitian students and their families.

Three retiring Haitian-American educators and school professionals, amongst them Yolène Ambroise, were recognized.

HAUP is delighted to have co-sponsored the event which was held in a festive atmosphere punctuated by performances from Buyu Ambroise and his band,  laughter and dancing to konpa.

NY Mets to Honor Haitian-Americans United for Progress at Citi Field’s First Haitian Heritage Night

NEW YORK, March 31, 2010 – Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP) will receive the NY Mets Spirit Award on April 7, 2010 in recognition of its achievements and service to the Haitian community over the last 34 years. On this occasion HAUP will launch a unique partnership with Queen’s renowned baseball team which includes:

• Celebrating Haitian Heritage Night on the 2nd game of the baseball season at Citi Field. This year, the NY Mets are scheduled to play their second game against the Florida Marlins.

• Providing HAUP with 100 percent of the sale of tickets entrusted to HAUP. The charitable gifts will support local and on the ground relief efforts.

• HAUP, Verizon, NYC District 27 Councilman Leroy Comrie, and NYS District 10 Senator Shirley L. Huntley – will be on the field for a pre-game presentation of the Mets Spirit Award.

• The Experience at Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church – a musical group co-founded by Elsie Accilien, and composer/songwriter Michael Capobianco — will perform the American National Anthem.

• Grammy Nominee and Heavytone Entertainment Group Recording Artist, Katia Cadet – will throw the opening pitch of the game.

• Citi Field will provide several HAUP information tables throughout the field, where HAUP representatives will provide resources about their organization and how spectators can help raise funds for Haiti relief.

Tickets are available. Call 718 527 3776 x 17 or 347 327 8500 to order through  HAUP.

1st Annual Haitian Heritage Night at Citi Field April 7th, 2010

Haitian-Americans United for Progress is pleased to announce its agreement with the NY Mets to celebrate Haitian Heritage Night on the 2nd game of every season at Citi Field. This year’s Haitian Heritage Night will be Wednesday, April 7th 2010 (NY Mets vs Florida Marlins).

This agreement calls for HAUP to be awarded a percentage of the sales of tickets sold at HAUP in support of relief efforts in the US and Haiti. The monies awarded will support HAUP’s own efforts to provide assistance to Haitians in the US affected by the quake, as well as two charities operating in Haiti: la Maison des Enfants Handicappes/Handicapped Children and “Ecole Communautaire de Sion” in Haiti.

For this event to be the success that we believe it can be, we will need everyone’s participation in getting the word out to promote the event and generate ticket sales. HAUP’s tickets are as follows and can be reserved immediately by calling 718-527-3776 x 17 or 347 327 8500.

1) Big Apple Reserved Section to be sold at $21 each

2) Promenade Reserved Section to be sold at $11 each

We were able to reach this agreement with the NY Mets thanks to two professionals who are lending their services to us:

• Fuljens Henry, a PR and Media Consultant, and

• Warren Gardiner, NYS Senator Shirley Huntley’s Government and Community Relations officer. Her office has graciously lent him to us.

Given their close involvement with this initiative, they will be managing the event so that we can achieve the hoped-for success.

We look forward to your participation at this wonderful event.

HAUP to Host Haiti Relief Service Fair

Event will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 10 AM to 4 PM

HAUP will hold a Haiti Relief Service Fair at Sacred Heart School in Cambria Heights, NY.  The 6 hour fair which starts at 10 AM and ends at 4 PM will address the concerns of community residents.

There will be free counseling to Haitians on applying for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a benefit which the Obama administration triggered in response to the quake, as well as other immigration counseling. Questions regarding adoptions, entitlements, and available community resources will be handled by trained and qualified personnel at the fair. For children, there will be a fun zone where they can play.

Sacred Heart School is located at 115-50 221st street in Cambria Heights. Please call 718.527.3776 ext 17 to speak to Warren or Sophia for additional information.