SATURDAY, MARCH 13 , 2010
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

APPOINTMENTS PREFERRED
WALK INS WELCOME

FOR APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATION PLEASE CALL:
718-527-3776

HEALTH PLUS WILL ALSO BE IN ATTENDANCE FOR INFORMATION AND ENROLLMENT

WE ARE INVITING YOU TO BE PART OF THIS DIALOGUE.
KINDLY CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE BY CALLING SOPHIE CHERY-DORVAL AT 718 527 3776 X 17.

This is the first visit of a high Haitian government official to NYC. His portfolio includes facilitating Haitian Diaspora involvement and investment in Haiti either through for-profit or non-profit initiatives. The Diaspora and its allies have responded generously to the emergency. Support is needed
for the long term, and greater involvement of Diaspora is crucial to Haiti’s future.

Paraison, who became Diaspora Minister in November 2009, is an Anglican priest, diplomat and human rights advocate. He resided for more than 26 years in the Dominican Republic, where from 1986 to 1994 Mr. Paraison served
as the Director of the Anglican Church’s Haiti division.

In 1994, he received the prestigious “Anti Slavery Award” from Anti-Slavery International (ASI) in recognition of long-standing efforts to promote the
rights and welfare of Haitian migrant workers in the sugar cane fields of the Dominican Republic.

As a career diplomat, Mr. Paraison served at various levels for nine consecutive years, including in the position of Consul General in Dominican Republic in 2004.

In 2005, Mr. Paraison created the “Fundacion Zile” to promote cooperation and solidarity between Haiti and Dominican Republic. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Paraison served as the representative of the Haitian Diaspora for the Caribbean and Latin America in the committee for National Dialogue set up by the transitional government.

• 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 a cash donation derived from a percentage of the sale of 450 tickets entrusted to HAUP. The charitable gifts will support local efforts as well as the House of Handicapped Children based in Haiti.
• 4-5 representatives selected by HAUP, including HAUP Executive Director Elsie Accilien, will be on the field for a pre-game presentation of the Mets Spirit Award and for recognizing HAUP for the event.
• The Experience at Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church – a musical group co-founded by Elsie Accilien, and composer/songwriter Michael Capobianco — will sing the American National Anthem.
• 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 will print on March 7th, 2010. Call 718 527 3776 x 17 or 347 327 8500 to order through  HAUP.

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.

In the last three weeks, while attending to the concerns of our constituents, providing accurate information and reassurances when possible, we have taken pain to inform public opinion and welcome the many gestures of care and solidarity of friends and neighbors.

On January 18, The local Asian American leadership, joined by local black, white and Hispanic leaders, welcomed Elsie Accilien, executive director of Haitian Americans United for Progress, a Cambria Heights nonprofit aimed at helping New York City’s Haitian-American and other immigrant communities, to the event by donating more than $3,000 to charities working to help the people of Haiti. You can read the rest of the story here.

http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2010/01/21/queens/queenspiirwks01202010.txt

On January 27 and 28, Ms. Accilien provided answers to questions posed by the readers of the New York Times. The questions and answers can can be found here through this link: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/answers-about-new-yorks-response-to-haitis-earthquake/

NY1 broadcast a story on a Haitian orphanage supported by HAUP.  You can read the story here http://www.ny1.com/8-queens-news-content/top_stories/112356/orphanage-director-plans-return-to-haiti

Accilien was quoted in “Three Steps to Making Smart Haiti Donations,” an article published by the NYT about the right way to help Haiti. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/nyregion/24critic.html 

We would appreciate your feedback on the actions we have taken and the guidance we have  provided so far. Please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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.