Supporting New York State-based Haitian Earthquake Relief Efforts

Funding Area

Other

Publication Date

April 2015

Grant Amount

Brooklyn Community Foundation: $100,000
Long Island Community Foundation: $25,000
Haitian American Cultural and Social Organization: $25,000

Grant Date:

May 2010 – March 2012

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On January 12, 2010, a catastrophic earthquake hit the Port-au-Prince area, the capital of Haiti.

Extending beyond Haiti, the impact of the earthquake affected Haitian communities in New York: more than 400,000 Haitians reside in the State, with the largest Haitian communities in New York City, Long Island, and Rockland County. In response to this catastrophe and the needs of New York Haitian communities, NYHealth developed a three-part response strategy. The Foundation participated in two separate funding collaboratives led by Brooklyn Community Foundation (BCF) and Long Island Community Foundation (LICF). NYHealth also provided a grant to Haitian American Cultural and Social Organization (HACSO). NYHealth provided grants totaling $150,000 to support these organizations’ efforts to address the needs of Haitian communities in three areas of the State.

Outcomes and Lessons Learned

Brooklyn Community Foundation:

Supported the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center to provide trauma relief, mental and physical health services, and outreach to the Haitian community. In response to long appointment wait times for mental health services, a SUNY psychiatrist helped establish a referral partnership with other funding collaborative grantees and Kings County Hospital Center; and
Funded Diaspora Community Services, CAMBA, and Haitian Family Resource Center to further assess and meet the mental health and social service needs of Haitians in the community.

Long Island Community Foundation:

Supported the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center (the Center) in the Center’s efforts to meet the mental health needs of Haitian students and families in Nassau County. LICF’s grant support enabled the Center to hire two outreach staff members to work with immigrant students and their families. The Center worked with the school district and other community partners to help students and families adjust to the American school system, access ESL classes, participate in weekly support groups, and receive referrals for housing, food, and immigration assistance.

Haitian American Cultural and Social Organization:

Hired a part-time case manager to increase access to health and mental health services for Haitians in Rockland County;
Collaborated with community organizations, Hudson River HealthCare, United Way of Rockland County, and the local county Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to host events, hold health fairs, and/or offer case management services; and
Established a health and mental health stakeholder coalition group to drive current and future efforts to increase mental health services for the community.

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