OUR HISTORY
The work of Hands Together for Haitians began as a grass-roots movement in 2005 under the name Hands Together of the Palm Beaches, changing its name in 2018 to Hands Together for Haitians, Inc. (HTH). Founding members worked in collaboration with local Haitian leaders to provide health education to the Haitian community and hold blood pressure screenings. Soon after computer classes were begun for children and adults.
Our work quickly grew to address many challenges of the local Haitian community as they strived to acclimate to living in the U.S. In turn, we realized that the lives of the Diaspora and the people in Haiti were intricately and passionately interwoven; we could not regard one without deeply considering the social, financial, political and humanitarian circumstances of the other.
In 2006 a trip to their homeland was planned by the founders; and subsequently the Haiti component of Hands Together for Haitians was born. In the first years, work in Haiti addressed immediate needs of the people however it was soon realized that we must do everything possible to empower the people of Haiti. This meant addressing the severe lack of infrastructure and education throughout Haiti by providing the people with the tools, knowledge and financial support so the Haitian people themselves can influence change in their lives.
Our Haiti work began in 2006 in Gonaives, a large port city 3 hours north of Port-au-Prince, where we have worked with the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, holding a yearly medical / dental clinic for the local people they serve. In 2009 we expanded our work to Jeandenis, a rural agricultural area 2.5 hours’ northeast of Port-au-Prince, and it is in Jeandenis where we now direct the majority of our efforts. Since 2009 we have been working in this impoverished village of more than 40,000 people to build infrastructure, support education, and provide leadership and empowering opportunities.
Education is the Umbrella of HTH’s Work
Locally, in Palm Beach County, we have been providing adult programs since 2005 that focus on improving one’s opportunities in the job market, including computer skills, English literacy, and resume & interview skills. To strengthen individuals and families we focus on financially literacy and health education. We also support children with Saturday tutoring sessions and monthly youth workshops that focus on building strong characters and skills for success in life.
In Haiti, we have supported educational programs by building a community center, starting a literacy program, sponsoring students to attend school, supporting school food program, and in 2018 we completed the Notre Dame du Fatima Grade School, complete with a computer lab and school kitchen, providing a daily hot meal for students and powered by a solar system. We also support a mountainous school in the Central Plateau with teacher’s salary support and a daily hot meal for the students.
We are governed by a Board of twelve members. We have four invaluable Haitian board members who guide our work in a culturally sensitive way and bring transparency and accountability to our work in Haiti. Our office in Lake Worth, Florida is in the midst of and accessible to a large Haitian population. We are financially supported by donations, fundraisers and grants and we welcome any opportunity to speak about our work.
