By Dessalines Ferdinand, Le Floridien
In 2022, at least fifteen thousand Haitian migrants made their way from Central and South American countries to come to the US-Mexico border. Over two weeks, U.S. Border Patrol agents expelled nearly all of them. Luckily, a few of them were allowed to enter the United States and have their requests for asylum or other permission to remain in the country evaluated by U.S. immigration judges.
Those fortunate migrants, after being freed from the giant migrant camp under the international bridge in Del Rio, Texas, needed to start a new life in the USA. Many of them have chosen South Florida, where there is a well-established Haitian community.
Many local non-profit organizations have been monumental since then in helping those vulnerable residents who, for the most part, have difficulties in finding their way in this new society. Among them is Zion Families of Haiti, Inc., which is a 501 (c)(3) (of the Internal Revenue Code), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Florida.
With only less than two years in operation, Zion Families of Haiti has already made a name in South Florida’s Haitian community, helping new refugee Haitian immigrants start a new life in the US.
Zion Families of Haiti seeks to empower those Haitian sisters, brothers, and their children by directing them to some well-established local organizations in order to get access to spaces, education, and immigration resources that heal, nourish, and uplift.
According to Chairperson Wesley Laurent, Zion Families of Haiti’s mission is beyond words. Its motto is clear and straightforward: Help refugee Haitian immigrants help themselves. It also has a clear vision. Just like the branches of a tree that strengthen and grow upwards to the sky and extend horizontally to cross borders, board members at Zion STAND UNITED to run the multi-faceted organization as a compassionate service provider. They work with Haitian refugee families to find immediate and permanent solutions to satisfy their temporal needs and help them plan strategically to build their future in United States of America.
“Our mission can only convey a simple message to reveal what we stand for: WE CARE. We echo a wise man in the bible who said: “It’s more blessed to give than receive.” Giving is a manifestation of love. We intend to kindly dispense that love to the receiving hand for a life-changing opportunity,” Wesley Laurent said.
“We want to make a difference. We want to help them find a way to properly start their new life in the US. With the proper direction to navigate this new system, we believe there is a pathway to progress and self-sufficiency with dignity. By assisting those Haitian refugees, we help restore safety, and happiness,” he continued.
“With the kind of assistance we provide, those Individuals can have a chance to continue their education and their kids graduate from high school; find jobs to rent a space to live decently; sign a legal document, and receive their driver’s license,” added Laurent, a CPA.
Basically, Zion Families of Haiti board members are like an advisory team that provides knowledge and gives suggestions to help new Haitian refugees settle their new lives. For example, if one of them is sick, the organization’s job is to conduct research about where there are healthcare resources available for free or at little cost to make an appointment on behalf of the beneficiary, and, if possible, take the sick person to the appropriate location for a consultation.
The Center for Haitian Studies, a community health center located in Little Haiti, Miami, is one of the healthcare centers the non-profit organization refers the new immigrants when it comes to health care, since it provides services often free of charge. New patients feel more comfortable being seen by some of the best Haitian physicians and nurses that work there because there are no cross-cultural differences or language barriers to overcome.
Among other well-known local organizations in Miami-Dade County Zion Families of Haiti refers new immigrants for services, are Sant La Neighborhood Center, Catholic Legal Services, and Family Action Network Movement (FANM).
Catholic Legal Services provides particularly professional legal services to those who come from foreign lands who lack sufficient means to obtain representation without regard to faith or national origin. Sant La provides community services like enrollment assistance in health insurance programs such as Medicaid, KidCare and ObamaCare.
When it comes to academic guidance, Jean Valbrun, a former Miami-Dade Public School retired teacher and counselor is valuable for the organization as are the other board members. Having a long career in the educational system, Mr. Valbrun has enough expertise to help refugees find their way to go to school in an effort to guarantee a better job in the future.
Ronald Estrade, who resides in Canada for many years has already facilitated many of those new arrivals to move there as refugees seeking asylum.
The chairman pointed out that the organization doesn’t force anyone to go to Canada. “We sit-down with the person and explain the possibility of receiving full legal status as a resident over there than here in the US,” Wesley Laurent explained. “It is up to the person to make the final decision without any pressure. But I can confirm that all of the cases our board member Estrade had handled for us are successful. Those who choose to resettle in Canada have already received asylum status.”
Zion Families of Haiti is as strong as the community that holds it up. Together, the members do more than each one can do alone. They want to bring their abilities and passions together to affect real change.
Zion Families of Haiti operates under the principle that God has placed its members where they are right now and connected them with the people around them for a purpose. They are certainly here in the United States of America not just for their progression but for helping others.
During a conversation with Le Floridien, Chairman Laurent stated that the organization has not received any grant so far from local or state agencies. He, his wife Bernadette Laurent, the board members, and the few regular members who recently joined the movement are the only financial supporters of the organization.
Last month (December 31st), Zion Families of Haiti organized its first annual social event in Pompano Beach. It was a moment for the members to share time together, but also for the leadership to address the evening audience. Besides other speakers at the event, Chairman Wesley Laurent took time to elaborate on the many works this organization has been doing since its inception.
Besides assisting with food preparation and other things which contributed to the success of the first edition of this annual event, Mrs. Bernadette Laurent’s other mission that night was recruiting new members for the organization. A role she carried out with excellence. She was good at convincing some undecided guests of the necessity and benefits of becoming a contributor to this charity organization.
Food and refreshment were provided for free, and well-known Haitian DJ Max played some good vibes to entertain the guests during the four hour event, which ended around 10:30pm.
Zion Families of Haiti is a family in the service of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They attend the same church to worship every weekend. Not only do the members fund the organization, they also dedicate their time and resources as volunteers to help new refugees find solutions to their needs.
Supporting the men, women, and children who arrive in the United States as refugees is not merely an act of love, but a duty and responsibility of those who have the benefit of freedom. Regardless of where we’ve come from, let us all support those organizations and people, like Zion Families of Haiti, to help those who need it most. Thank you, from Le Floridien, to the board and supporters of this great organization for all you do.
Want to know more about this non-profit organization, visit www.zionfamiliesofhaiti.org
