On a daily basis through our ESOL, citizenship and literacy classes; group therapy sessions; humanitarian trips to Haiti and other services, the Haitian Coalition of Somerville opens the doors of opportunity for our clients so they thrive. Friends and supporters also consistently attain a sense of personal fulfillment by volunteering with our organization:
· Four years ago, Valentin was unable to speak English, but as a result of his participation in the Coalition’s ESOL classes, he is now an employee of our organization, working as a receptionist who answers phones and takes messages. He is also the client representative on our board.
· In the aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake, Michelle abruptly returned to the Boston area to new experiences. As a Haitian American who’d only ever heard about Haiti from her parents, she was celebrating New Year 2010 in Port-au-Prince when the massive earthquake struck. Upon returning to Boston, Michelle found solace and kinship in group therapy sessions at the Coalition. She attends the bi-monthly sessions to exorcise the bad dreams that have plagued her since the disaster.
· “I have felt an affinity with Haiti, its people, art, music and spirituality for a long time. Since the earthquake in January 2010, I was compelled to go to Haiti. After learning some Haitian Creole from language CDs, I said ‘M vlé alé Ayiti’/‘I want to go to Haiti’ to anyone who would listen,” said Linda, one of the volunteers in our second humanitarian trip to Haiti this summer. Linda, a nurse and administrator at a healthcare organization, worked with a team of dedicated volunteers to deliver medical services, counseling sessions and workshops to more than 1000 residents in one of Haiti’s settlement camps.
The examples above show how the Coalition made tremendous progress on our 2011 goals. We also offered more ESOL and literacy classes to our clients, continued TPS clinics for those who needed them, added professional development sessions to literacy classes and helped clients navigate the system through resources and targeted assistance. In partnership with Tufts and Northeastern University, we published a report on the mental health needs of area Haitians as they cope with the aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake today. We continued our wellness program that teaches mothers and their children about nutrition and exercise as well as monitors them for improved health outcomes. Thanks to our partnership with the Cambridge Health Alliance, we strengthened the group therapy sessions we began last year. A committee comprising of community volunteers planned our successful fundraiser in the spring. Currently, we are also designing new programs to assist more families and individuals requiring our services.
Today, we ask for your help in expanding our programs and services to our clients by requesting that you make a donation to our year-end appeal. Your contribution will strengthen the many support services we provide. It will allow us to keep open the doors of our warm and welcoming community center, used for delivering workshops. A donation will facilitate our ability to give more clients in need of mental health support direct assistance through our group discussions or referrals to more complex interventions at the Cambridge Health Alliance and similar service providers. Your contribution ensures the Coalition remains an accessible resource that empowers individuals to acquire the skills they need for self sufficiency.
We encourage you to make your donation by December 31, 2011, to take advantage of 2011 tax deductions. To make a contribution by mail, please make checks payable to Year End Appeal-Haitian Coalition of Somerville, 68R Powder House Blvd., 17C, Somerville, MA 02144. Secure online donations can be made through the PayPal link below.
Thank you for your consideration.
