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!

New York City Council Adopts Unanimously Resolution Urging TPS for Haitians

The New York City Council adopted by a vote of 51-0 a resolution urging Congress to pass legislation granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitian nationals in the United States. The unanimous vote in favor of Resolution 1595, introduced by Haitian-American Council member Mathieu Eugene, is the latest to reflect a growing sentiment across the United States that Haitians deserve to enjoy the benefits of temporary safe haven while their homeland and its international allies come up with a winning strategy for growth, safety, political stability and poverty reduction.

TPS is a measure enacted as part of the Immigration Act of 1990 that provides temporary relief from deportation and a work permit  to “aliens in the United States who are temporarily unable to safely return to their home country because of ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.”

Read the full story here.

HAUP Calls for TPS for Haitians at New York City Council Hearing

On April 20, 2009, The Committee on Immigration of the Council of the City of New York held a hearing on Resolution 1595 which urges the US government to designate nationals of Haiti eligible for Temporary Protected Status under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Resolution, initiated by Councilman Mathieu Eugene, passed unanimously on a voice vote.

The Committee heard testimony from 4 Haitian-Americans, among them Bishop Guy Sansaricq. Jocelyn McCalla testified on behalf of Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP). Following is the statement that was delivered at the hearing.

Statement of Haitian-Americans United for Progress

Hearing on Res. No. 1595

April 20, 2009

My name is Jocelyn McCalla and I want to begin by thanking the Committee on Immigration for extending an invitation to testify to Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP). Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an important measure that has long been denied Haitian nationals in the United States although they have clearly qualified since the measure was adopted by the US government. I will go more in depth on this matter but allow me to first say a few words about my organization, HAUP.

HAUP stands uniquely in the NY City area as the oldest community-based organization that emerged 34 years ago to help resettle and integrate Haitian asylum-seekers as well as advocate on their behalf. Amongst our founders, we proudly include Bishop Guy Sansaricq, a refugee from the Duvalier dictatorship which caused thousands of Haitians to immigrate to the United States and make New York City their home. We like to believe that it is thanks to the efforts deployed by HAUP and other Haitian CBOs and advocacy organizations that today many Haitian-Americans can be found at the helm of some of the leading private and public sector institutions that make NY such a great city.

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