Haitian community groups in NY get $1.6M aid

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, alongside the Haitian American Legislative Delegation, announced on Wednesday that the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget includes $1.6 million for community-based organizations (CBOs) that support linguistically and culturally-responsive services for Haitian New Yorkers.

“New York is a state rich with diversity and communities with diverse needs,” said Heastie, who traces his roots to the Bahamas. “The funding included in this year’s budget will allow CBOs that are on the ground providing critical services to Haitian New Yorkers to continue the good work they are doing and address the unique needs of their communities.”

Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who chairs the Brooklyn Democratic Party, told Caribbean Life that New York City has the largest concentration of Haitians in the US, and New York State has the second-largest Haitian population of any state.

“I thank Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for providing vital funding for CBOs that will uplift our communities across the state, providing culturally-competent services to aid with immigration, healthcare access, and many more pressing issues facing our Haitian constituents,” said the representative for the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn. “This funding comes at a critical time. Our community is reeling from Haiti’s escalating crisis and suffering from uncertainty.

“Nearly everyone here has loved ones, family and friends in Haiti—with hardly any ways to communicate with them,” Bichotte Hermelyn added. “With Haiti’s escalating violence, shortages of clean water, sanitation and other essential resources, our communities are in distress, including the ‘Little Haiti’ neighborhood I proudly represent in Brooklyn.

“As we commemorate Haitian Heritage Month this May, I’m grateful that we are uplifting the vibrant Haitian communities that have innumerably contributed to the fabric of New York during this time of need,” she added.

Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages said, “From accessing health care to legal assistance to social services, this funding will help members of our Haitian community here in New York get the services and resources they need. I’m proud we were able to secure this funding for groups that are doing vitally important work uplifting and empowering the Haitian community.”

“Our Haitian communities here in New York are integral parts of the fabric of our state,” Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre said. “This funding will help thousands of Haitian New Yorkers get the services and care they need, and help our communities continue to thrive in our state.”

“This funding is critical to so many organizations on the ground that provide services for the Haitian and other immigrant communities,” said Assemblymember Clyde Vanel. “We will continue working to get Haitian New Yorkers the resources needed to thrive in our state.”

“Organizations like these are vital to addressing the unique needs of Haitian New Yorkers,” Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest said. “The funding we included in this year’s budget will help them continue to provide the culturally responsive services and resources that our communities need to grow and thrive.”

In pointing to the last census, Bichotte Hermelyn said there are more than 182,000 Haitians living in New York State.

But she also said that, according to experts, that number could be closer to 500,000, when temporary visitors and workers, students and trainees are factored in.

Bichotte Hermelyn said the $1.6 million in the State budget will go to the following Haitian New Yorker CBOs: $350,000 for Little Haiti Brooklyn; $250,000 for Haitian Americans United for Progress; $100,000 for The Haitian American Community Center; $100,000 for Diaspora Community Services; $100,000 for Global Trauma Research; $100,000 for ARA Wellness; and $100,000 for Konbit Neg LaKay Community Center.

The others are: $100,000 for the Haitian American Lawyers Association; $100,000 for The Caribbean Women’s Health Association; $100,000 for The Morris Heights Health Center; $100,000 for The Haitian Roundtable; and $100,000 for The Beraca Community Development Corporation.