Governor Paterson Announces Transition for the Haitian Earthquake Family Resource Center

ALBANY, NY (06/13/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today announced that the New York Haitian Earthquake Family Resource Center in Brooklyn will be transitioning to a community support model. Local faith-based and community organizations will continue to provide essential case management services on the ground, and State and City agencies will ensure ongoing information and resources to these groups as they assist those whose lives have been affected by the earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti in January 2010.

Since opening on February 1, the Center has assisted more than 2,300 individuals by providing support – including Creole-speaking interpreters, help with immigration issues, and information on available benefits – to local families of Haitian earthquake victims, Haitian nationals unable to return to their country of origin due to the natural disaster, and individuals that have repatriated back into the United States following the earthquake. Due to a steady decline in the number of individuals seeking services at the Center since it first opened over four months ago, the Center will begin implementation of a closure plan and turn to community providers to continue to provide information and offer services for individuals affected by the earthquake.

"I commend all the State and City agencies that have collaborated successfully with the Federal government and community and faith-based organizations to ensure that those affected by the January Haitian earthquake had a safe and supportive place to turn to," Governor Paterson said. "I am confident these organizations are attuned to the needs of the Haitian community here in New York and are able to ensure that services will continue to be provided. Our State and City agencies will remain a resource through the relationships built during the implementation of the Center. As home to the largest Haitian community outside of Haiti, New York remains committed to helping Haiti recover from this tragedy."

A dozen organizations, with specific support from the Brooklyn Community Foundation's Hope and Healing Fund, are now prepared to provide for the continuity of services to the Haitian community in New York City. As a result, the Haitian Earthquake Family Resource Center will officially close on Thursday, June 17.

The Brooklyn Community Foundation, through its Hope and Healing Fund, is supporting a network of community organizations that will provide long-term support to the Haitian community. These groups are focusing on case management, healing, education and legal services.

Individuals impacted by the Haitian earthquake who are interested in receiving services that fall into these categories may contact the following community organizations directly:

Case Management

CAMBA, (718) 287-0010

Diaspora Community Services, (718)399-0200

Haitian Americans United for Progress, (718)527-3776

Haitian Family Support Center, (917)284-7938

Legal Services

Brooklyn Defender Services, (718) 254-0700

CUNY Citizenship Now!, (646) 344-7245

Lutheran Social Services of Metropolitan New York, (212)2 65-1826, ext. 307

Healing

Haiti Cultural Exchange, (718) 855-8514

KONGO, (718) 421-0846

SUNY Downstate Medical Center, (718) 270-4675

Education

Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project, (718) 774-3037

Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, (718) 735-4660

###

Additional news available at www.ny.gov/governor | High resolution images available at www.ny.gov/governor/mediaimages | password: paterson | New York State | Executive Chamber | press.office@chamber.state.ny.us | 212.681.4640 | 518.474.8418