Upcoming TPS Session

There is a TPS Information Session (USCIS) taking place on: Monday,
February 8, 2010 from 6 to 8pm at The following:
The Parlin Memorial Library,
410 Broadway
Everett Ma 02149

Solidarity with Haiti

SOLIDARITY WITH HAITI! a benefit for Batay Ouvriye, a combative
organization of workers and peasants in Haiti
Encuentro 5
33 Harrison Ave, Boston
7pm, Saturday January 30
The earthquake was a natural disaster, but the poverty of
the Haitian masses and the injustice of the social order, are
unnatural. Our solidarity is with the struggling people of
Haiti. Together we are engaged in common struggle against
a system that works to exploit us all.
an evening of socializing and refreshment
sliding scale $5-$20 donation requested
light food & beverage also available for donation
if you cannot attend please give online: http://tinyurl.com/BatayOuvriye
For more information: boston@nefac.net or 617-544-3932
Sponsored by NEFAC

Community Forum on Haitian Earthquake Response

City of Everett, Massachusetts

Community Forum on Haitian Earthquake Response
Thursday, January 28, 2010
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Everett Armory – Edward G. Connolly Center
90 Chelsea Street, Everett, MA 02149

Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Jr. invites the Haitian community and all Everett Residents to a forum to gather information on the response in Haiti and here in Everett and Massachusetts and offer support services to our community. The 1 hour information session program begins promptly at 6 pm and refreshments and an opportunity to connect, console and support our neighbors will follow.

AGENDA

Welcome - Bishop Robert G. Brown, Moderator

Introduction - Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Jr.

Opening Prayer

Ceremonial Remembrance

Haitian Earthquake Response Effort Updates (Offices scheduled to be represented)
• Governor’s Office
• Haitian Consul
• American Red Cross
• Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
• Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition
• Congressman Edward J. Markey’s Office
• Cambridge Health Alliance
• Hallmark Health
• Tri-City Haitian Relief Group
• City of Everett Haiti Relief Fund

Closing Prayer

Closing Comments

Community Gathering and Refreshments

Disaster Fraud Hotline

For Immediate Release January 18, 2010

National Center for Disaster Fraud to Coordinate Haitian Fraud Complaints

The FBI and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) have established a telephone hotline to report suspected Haitian earthquake relief fraud. The number is (866) 720-5721. The phone line is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also e-mail information directly to disaster@leo.gov.

Federal Bureau of Investigation | National Center for Disaster Fraud to coordinate Haitian fraud complaints

http://www.ic3.gov/media/2010/100118.aspx

HELPFUL RESOURCES ON IMMIGRATION RELIEF FOR NATIONALS OF HAITI

US GOVERNMENT LINKS

Federal Register Notice of TPS Designation
http://frwebgate4.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/PDFgate.cgi?WAISdocID=086512109908+0+2+0&WAISaction=retrieve

USCIS Q & A on TPS-Haiti
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=e54e60f64f336210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e54e60f64f336210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Application for TPS
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=80283796f8a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=e54e60f64f336210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Application for Employment Authorization
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=e54e60f64f336210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Application for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-602.pdf

USCIS Fee Waiver Guidance
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=6fbad59ae8a8e010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

USCIS Fact Sheet on Humanitarian Parole for Haitian Orphans
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9c22546ade146210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

USCIS Policy Memo on Interim Relief for Haitians
http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2010/haiti-field-guidance.pdf

HAITIAN GOVERNMENT IN US

Haitian Consulate Embassy of Haiti in D.C.
545 Boylston Street, Suite 201 2311 Massachusetts. Ave., N.W
Boston, MA 02116 Washington, DC 20008
(617) 266 -3660 (202) 332-4090
Fax: (617) 266-4060 Fax: (202) 745-7215
Email: conbos@msn.com Email: embassy@haiti.org
http://www.haiti.org/
LEGAL EDUCATION

Free webinar training on
"Applying for Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in the U.S."
Friday, January 22nd @ 3:00 p.m.
To register, visit
https://www.livemeeting.com/lrs/8001993965/Registration.aspx?pageName=n8lmc68ljl7ck3t0

AILA audio seminar on
TPS and Relief for Haitians in the U.S.
Monday, January 25th, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
To register, visit http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=30999
**$29 for non-profit AILA members**

PRACTICE ADVISORY

Advisory for Haitian Nationals Considering Applying for TPS Past Criminal Dispositions/Conduct Could Bar TPS Eligibility and Lead to Detention and Deportation
http://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/docs/10_TPSCriminalBarsAdvisory1.pdf

INFORMATIONAL CLINICS

Greater Boston Legal Services
197 Friend Street
Boston, MA 02114
www.gbls.org
(617) 603-1808
Thursday, January 21st
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Haitian Multi-Service Center/Catholic charities
185 Columbia Road
Dorchester, MA 02121
(617) 506-6600
www.ccab.org/ccab_haitian.htm
Friday, January 22nd and Saturday, January 23rd
10:00 -5:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed! To sign up, go to: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/attorney/71122

City of Boston Haitian Support Center
Mattapan Public Library
1350 Blue Hill Avenue
Mattapan, MA
(617) 755 -1674
gjasmine@bphc.org
Friday, January 22nd, 1:00 -7:00 pm
Saturday, January 23rd, 12:00 -5:00pm
Monday –Friday, January 25th – January 29th, 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 30th, 12:00 – 5:00pm
Volunteers needed! To sign up, go to: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/attorney/71122

AIDS Action Committee
75 Amory Street
Boston, MA
(617) 450-1317
www.aac.org
Every Monday from 10:00 – 12:00pm starting Monday, January 25th
All are welcomed!

Cambridge Cares about AIDS
17 Sellers Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.ccaa.org
(617) 661-3040
Every Friday from 1:00 – 3:00pm starting Friday, January 29th
CCA clients only!



COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS

**Haitian Multi-Service Center/Catholic Charities**
185 Columbia Road
Dorchester, MA 02121
(617) 506-6600
http://www.ccab.org/help-haiti.html

Association of Haitian Women in Boston (AFAB)
330 Fuller Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
(617) 287-0096
www.afab-kafanm.org/

Haitian American Public Health Initiatives, Inc. (HAPHI)
10 Fairway Street
Mattapan, MA 02126
(617) 298-8076

Haitian Americans United (HAU)
10 Fairway Street, #218
PO Box 260440
Mattapan, MA 02126
(617) 298-2976
www.hauinc.org

Haitian Artists Assembly (HAA)
200 Governor’s Drive #31
Winthrop, MA 02152
(617) 846-5889

Haitian Health Outreach Project/Cambridge Health Alliance
52 Beacon Street
Somerville, MA 02142
(617) 498-2193

Listing of Other Organizations in the United States
http://www.ccher.org/subwbpg.htm

More Updates

There is a strong desire among the local pastors and their communities to bring medical supplies and care directly to Port-au-Prince. The churches have already identified 25 Haitian doctors and nurses who will be going to Haiti on February 6^th. It is a very personal response to the crisis in their home country. It is also an initiative that builds on their years of relationships with other churches in Port-au-Prince. They are coordinating with a church in Port-au-Prince on Avenue Christophe that has the capacity to receive them and to assist with their staging of relief efforts.

Those wanting to contribute monetary funds are encouraged to send funds to:

The Haitian Relief Fund, c/o Century Bank,

140 Ferry Street

Malden, MA 02148

or to drop off checks or money contributions at the Century Bank Ferry Street branch office Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 – 4:00 pm, Thursday, 8:30 – 6:00 pm, Friday, 8:30 – 5:00 pm, and Saturday, 8:30 – 12:00 noontime.

There is a Coordinating Committee established to oversee the disbursement of funds. All decisions will be made by consensus. I hold the checks and will write the checks but am not a signer on the account. Account signers are Pastor Laguerre of the Philadelphie SDA church and Malden City Counselor Gary Christenson. I will also attach a summary of Friday’s meeting to give you a sense of the work done by the Friday gathering.

See the press release for a blog link that will keep all of us connected and updated as to local responses.

Please distribute!!!

Very Important Links

Please CLICK HERE to read a statement by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in regards to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals.

Please CLICK HERE for some frequent questions and related answer pertaining the TPS granted to Haitian Nationals.

Message from from Maggie McClory From the office of Congressman Ed Markey:

Please let me know if you or anyone you know might have questions on this. I will be attending a meeting with DHS/USCIS next week where I will be sure to gather information on TPS for Haitian nationals.

Maggie McClory

Constituent Services Director

Office of Congressman Edward J. Markey

5 High Street, Suite 101

Medford, Massachusetts 02155

781-396-2900 phone

781-396-3220 fax

maggie.mcclory@mail.house.gov

Boston Globe Article

Alix Roy, a Boston Globe Correspoindent was present at the Friday Morning meeting and filed an article about the meeting CLICK HERE top read the article

For haitian National Only!!

Passport and Travel Information

(This information is provided to us by Congressman Markey’s office.)


The U.S. Department of State’s Boston Passport Agency will be accepting passport applications (either first time applicants or renewals) in the Boston office without appointment and without the normal expedite fee (of $60) for people who are deemed:

1) Rescue workers traveling to Haiti immediately (FEMA, MEMA, etc)
2) Medical workers traveling to Haiti immediately (Nurses, Doctors, etc)
3) US Citizens with family members in Haiti who intend to eventually travel to Haiti (when civilians are given official clearance)

Patricia Rourke, the Customer Service Manager at the Boston Passport Agency, said that it would be ideal if the rescue workers/medical workers can bring proof of need for travel with them to the agency. US citizen family members are encouraged to whatever they have available to show that they have relatives in Haiti but if they do not have that documentation, the Passport Agency will be willing to work with them.
More information on passport applications can be found here: http://www.travel.state.gov/. (under the passport tab)

Please pass this information along to any of the group members who should know this. Please call me at any time if you have questions on this. I can be reached at 781-396-2900.

Sincerely,

Maggie McClory
Constituent Services Director
Office of Congressman Edward J. Markey
5 High Street, Suite 101
Medford, Massachusetts 02155

781-396-2900 phone
781-396-3220 fax
maggie.mcclory@mail.house.gov

1/15/2001 General Meeting Minutes

Tri-City Haitian Relief Task Force
January 15, 2010 Meeting

Attendees:

Dottie Palladino; Bob Marra; Tom Feagley; Gwen Blackburn; Gretta Montina; Jean Rolland Baillard; Bishop Robert Brown; Pastor Paul Daniel; Myreille Daniel; Matt Laidlaw; Richard Cheng; Gary Christenson; Mayor Richard Howard; Christine DiPietro; Pastor Pierre Laguerre; Rev. Amos Jean Phillippe; Emmanuel Exilhomme; Fr. Jim Barry; Gaelle Gourgues; Al Turco; Lisa Hickey; Jacqui Walsh; Pastor Roland Jean Batist; Pastor Paul Daniel; Renee Cammarata Hamilton; Robert Mara; Maggie McClory; Heidi Porter; Marie Victorin; David D’Arcangelo; Megan Littlefield; Pedro Barbosa; Karen Hacker; Sean Garballey; Rep. Paul Donato; Tom Feagley; Loretta Kemp; Betty King Cuyugan; Mohamed Brahimi; Philip Bronder-Giroux

Topic/ Discussion/ Actions/Next Steps

Early Responders—group coordinated by Pastor Ronald and Immacula Pierre with contacts already established in Haiti b/c of annual trips there; can be contacted at 781.391.1443
-bringing suitcases filled with emergency medical supplies, instead of clothes
-25 nurses have volunteered to go; some will need help with airfare
- Supplies (such as Wheelchairs, crutches, walkers) to be sent to Haiti—can use already existing Adventist network

-Set a central drop-off point in each city:
•Malden – Mayor Howard offered Dartmouth St. Parking lot
•Everett – Matt Laidlaw to find site
•Medford – Gwen Blackburn to find site
First responders (doctors and nurses)
-cannot land in Haiti b/c of devastation and resulting collapse of infrastructure; so these medical teams are waiting in NYC for word
-Mayor Howard: All levels of U.S. government are requesting that people not try to get to Haiti, so that all resources can be directed toward the earthquake victims, w/out any diversion of these limited resources to visitors and relief teams
-MA Emergency Management Administration (MEMA) and Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) echo the request and additionally ask that national relief teams be allowed to go in first

Funding
-Funds needed for Tri-City relief efforts; account should be opened
-Want to ensure the people in need really receive the money, supplies, etc.
- Recommended list of trustworthy organizations to which to contribute might be drafted
-Further recommendation: do not discourage people from donating to other organizations but also make them aware of this local relief effort that they can support
Account being set up at Century Bank by Councillor Gary Christenson and Pastor Pierre Laguerre; Philip Bronder-Giroux to clarify w/ them if this will be a general relief fund or one particular to a specific group’s/church’s efforts

Local Support
-Children and youth are hearing about missing and deceased family members, so schools need to be providing counseling and space during the day for students to go
-Adult community members also need place to go; Cambridge Health Alliance and Hallmark Health are ready to help with this and in any other way they can
- Sat., 1/16/10, 4P—time of grieving, at Philadelphie SDA Church, Malden
- Vigils can/will be held by/with youth and others
-Places for people to talk need to be expanded

Local Community Resources

-Cambridge Health Alliance’s MH clinician, Pedro Barbosa—617.665.3980
-Cong. Ed Markey’s office, Maggie (781) 396.2900 re passport, immigration issues
- Hallmark Health is prepared to donate medical supplies and make staff available

Local Relief Efforts
-Hyatt Hotel in Medford is accepting donations of food, bedding,
-Everett Public Schools having donation drive

Getting out information

-This Blog was set up at end of meeting by David D’Arcangelo to help disseminate the message on line

Friday January 15th Committee Meeting Notes

Attendees

Baillard, Pastor Jean Ronald
Batist, Pastor Ronald Jean
Blackburn, Gwen
Cheng, Richard LICSW
Daniel, Paul Rev. & Mrs.
Dern, Eileen
DiPietro, Christine
English, Meg
Hamilton, Renee C.
Laguerre, Pastor Pierre Eddy
Montina, Gretta
Philippe, Rev. Amos & Marie Jean
Pierre, Rev. Ronald Pierre and Immacula Pierre
Walsh, Jacqui

Agenda

Bank Account
Ground Response (Haiti)
Ground Response (Local Communities)
Website

Agenda Item/ Discussion/Actions/Next Steps

Bank Account
-Malden Councilor Gary Christenson and Pastor Pierre Laguerre (who used his church’s EIN) opened the Haitian Relief Fund account at Century Bank, 140 Ferry Street, Malden 02148—for this collaborative effort; one of their signatures is required on checks
-Tri-CAP’s Exec. Dir./Philip Bronder-Giroux will physically hold the checks and print out to vendors as directed by the Coordinating Cmte.; he will not be a signatory on the check
-Use of funds, which this Coordinating Cmte, will authorize, can include tickets for emergency relief team. Decisions to be made by consensus.
- -Contact agency for information, donations, press, etc. about the Tri-City Haitian Relief Task Force/Relief Fund is: c/o North Shore Rescue Mission, under the auspices of Pastor & Mrs. Daniel, 101 Pierce St., Malden 02148, 781.324.9777; 781.535.7781 (c)-Mrs. Daniel; 781.420.2844 (c)-Pastor Daniel
-Mission Statement/Tri-City Haitian Relief Task Force: To provide relief and services to the earthquake victims in Haiti and to coordinate the local response to the crisis.
(No funds will be made available for individuals wanting to travel to Haiti)
Ground Response (Haiti)
-Group, under leadership of Pastor Pierre, who annually go to Haiti with supplies and have established contacts (w/ Haitian Pastor Ronald), etc. are organizing an early-responders’ trip w/in the next couple of weeks to take medical and emergency supplies; 25 nurses have signed up to go
•Team will carry medical supplies in suitcases
•Will operate from a central base and spread through areas in Haiti outside the capital, returning at lunch and evenings to home base
-Trainings: non-medical team get First Aid training; all – get training on how to approach victims of catastrophic events and their families
-Identifying t-shirts: 3-City Haitian Relief, Massachusetts, USA
- Adventist church will also send medical teams and supplies to Haiti. Coordination with tri-city group will occur as is feasible
-Immacula Pierre and subgroup will list out medical supplies needed and forward to Heidi Porter/Dir., Everett Board of Health
-Heidi will contact Boards of Health in other cities to solicit their agreement to serve as drop off point for medical supplies that will eventually be transported to Haiti
- Pastor Laguerre stressed need for medical teams to train local Haitian residents to care for wounds & bandages so that care can continue after medical teams depart
Ground Response (Local Communities)
-A key focus: children and youth
-Cambridge Health Alliance and Hallmark Health are already providing counseling and support to staff and patients; willing to be more available to larger community as well
-Longer range concern: support of local families who will be taking in children and youth from relatives in Haiti by schools, daycare centers, etc.
-Public schools are being mobilized to provide space and counseling for students; Gwen Blackburn is contact person for Medford
- other local responses (vigils, community gatherings, etc) are encouraged. Please post on blog so that we can all support one another.
Website/Blog
-Set up by David D'Arcangelo who agreed to help maintain; will be place for people to easily update information about Haiti, relief efforts, etc.
-Neil Abraham/Altruistiq, Inc. volunteered to help with technology and will be contacted re this blog
-Development of flyer about various activities of the Tri-City Haitian Relief Task Force was suggested
-Collection and distribution of money from the Haitian Relief Fund at Century Bank will be posted here
-Post a link to: pictures of missing family/friends will be posted, so people who may have info can make it easily available

Items Needed Urgently

Tri-City Haitian Relief Task Force convened a second meeting on the heeels of the general one that took place 9: 30 Am on friday and the following items were identified as high of the urgent needs list


Latex gloves & non latex gloves
alcohol wipes and bottles
hand sanitizer
IVs
Antibiotics
Tape for bandages
Bacitracin
Bandages
Vaseline
Antibiotics for skin wounds/infections
Sterile water
Large rolls (4inches wide) gauze
4” X 4” sponges
ABD pads
Band aids – all sizes
Ibuprofen
Tylenol – regular and PM
Advil
Motrin
Blood pressure machines
Blood sugar testing machines
Thermometers
Heart monitors

Communities of Malden, Medford & Everett Come Together to Assist in Relief Efforts for Haiti

PRESS RELEASE:

Responding to the devastating earthquake disaster that has nearly leveled Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, and surrounding areas, Pastors and leaders of local Haitian churches, religious leaders, public officials, local hospital networks and community leaders have joined to together to offer a coordinated community response. Immediately, the group with support from Pastor Laguerre, and Malden City Councilor Gary Christenson, has set up a community relief fund. Community members are asked to send funds to: The Haitian Relief Fund, c/o Century Bank, 140 Ferry Street, Malden, MA 02148 or to drop off checks or money contributions at the Century Bank Ferry Street branch office Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 – 4:00 pm, Thursday, 8:30 – 6:00 pm, Friday, 8:30 – 5:00 pm, and Saturday, 8:30 – 12:00 noontime. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

The leadership of the local Haitian churches and several community leaders will be responsible for distributing the funds to benefit the Haitian earthquake victims. The group has established a blog to share information and to coordinate efforts. To view the blog, go to http://tricityhaitianrelief.blogspot.com/. Questions about relief efforts or to provide information about local resources or organized relief activities, contact the North Shore Rescue Mission at (781) 324-9777 or (781) 535-7781. The Rescue Mission is coordinating information and activities on behalf of the Tri-City Relief Task Force Coordinating Committee.

Local efforts include: A community drive for medical supplies through the Malden, Medford and Everett Boards of Health. Medical supplies can be brought to the local offices for collection. For a list of supplies requested, go to the Haitian relief blog. The Philadelphie Seventh Day Adventist Church, 575 Main Street, Malden is setting up a container on its front yard to collect relief supplies for Haiti. Items requested include: blankets; sleeping bags; crutches, wheel chairs; walkers. For Medford residents, Hyatt Place Hotel, 116 Riverside Avenue, Medford, is accepting donations of canned goods and bedding for the relief effort. The city of Everett will soon establish a collection site for relief supplies.

The two large health care providers in our communities, Hallmark Health and Cambridge Health Alliance, have also made available mental health clinicians to assist local families dealing with personal loss of family, relatives and friends or with the stresses and anxieties of not knowing the fate of loved ones. Cambridge Health Alliance has Haitian-Creole clinicians available for consultation at (617) 665-3980. To access Hallmark Health services, please contact Eileen Dern at (781) 338-7552. The public schools are also providing counselors for their Haitian students and families struggling with personal loss.

Those seeking information on passport or travel issues to Haiti in the coming weeks and months should contact the Office of Congressman Markey for assistance. Maggie McClory in Congressman Markey’s Office will be able to answer your questions at (781) 396-2900.

The local churches and communities are beginning to organize prayer vigils and events to pray for families, the victims of the earthquake and to allow communities to gather to express their grief and solidarity. There will be a prayer service at the Philadelphie Seventh Day Adventist Church, 575 Main Street, Malden at 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 16th. The public is invited. The Haitian community in Everett is invited for a prayer vigil this Friday evening, January 15th at 7:00 PM at the Immaculate Conception Church, Broadway, Everett. Other services and gatherings will be posted as they become known.

Your generosity and compassion would be greatly appreciated. We urge you to do what you can to aid the Haitian relief effort. A little goes a long way.

If you have any questions or suggestions, contact the Tri-City Relief Task Force, c/o North Shore Rescue Mission, 101 Pierce Street, Malden 02148. Telephone contacts are (781) 324-9777 or (781) 535-7781 or you can visit http://tricityhaitianrelief.blogspot.com/ for updated information.Communities of Malden, Medford & Everett Come Together to Assist in Relief Efforts for Haiti

Responding to the devastating earthquake disaster that has nearly leveled Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, and surrounding areas, Pastors and leaders of local Haitian churches, religious leaders, public officials, local hospital networks and community leaders have joined to together to offer a coordinated community response. Immediately, the group with support from Pastor Laguerre, and Malden City Councilor Gary Christenson, has set up a community relief fund. Community members are asked to send funds to: The Haitian Relief Fund, c/o Century Bank, 140 Ferry Street, Malden, MA 02148 or to drop off checks or money contributions at the Century Bank Ferry Street branch office Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 – 4:00 pm, Thursday, 8:30 – 6:00 pm, Friday, 8:30 – 5:00 pm, and Saturday, 8:30 – 12:00 noontime. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

The leadership of the local Haitian churches and several community leaders will be responsible for distributing the funds to benefit the Haitian earthquake victims. The group has established a blog to share information and to coordinate efforts. To view the blog, go to http://tricityhaitianrelief.blogspot.com/. Questions about relief efforts or to provide information about local resources or organized relief activities, contact the North Shore Rescue Mission at (781) 324-9777 or (781) 535-7781. The Rescue Mission is coordinating information and activities on behalf of the Tri-City Relief Task Force Coordinating Committee.

Local efforts include: A community drive for medical supplies through the Malden, Medford and Everett Boards of Health. Medical supplies can be brought to the local offices for collection. For a list of supplies requested, go to the Haitian relief blog. The Philadelphie Seventh Day Adventist Church, 575 Main Street, Malden is setting up a container on its front yard to collect relief supplies for Haiti. Items requested include: blankets; sleeping bags; crutches, wheel chairs; walkers. For Medford residents, Hyatt Place Hotel, 116 Riverside Avenue, Medford, is accepting donations of canned goods and bedding for the relief effort. The city of Everett will soon establish a collection site for relief supplies.

The two large health care providers in our communities, Hallmark Health and Cambridge Health Alliance, have also made available mental health clinicians to assist local families dealing with personal loss of family, relatives and friends or with the stresses and anxieties of not knowing the fate of loved ones. Cambridge Health Alliance has Haitian-Creole clinicians available for consultation at (617) 665-3980. To access Hallmark Health services, please contact Eileen Dern at (781) 338-7552. The public schools are also providing counselors for their Haitian students and families struggling with personal loss.

Those seeking information on passport or travel issues to Haiti in the coming weeks and months should contact the Office of Congressman Markey for assistance. Maggie McClory in Congressman Markey’s Office will be able to answer your questions at (781) 396-2900.

The local churches and communities are beginning to organize prayer vigils and events to pray for families, the victims of the earthquake and to allow communities to gather to express their grief and solidarity. There will be a prayer service at the Philadelphie Seventh Day Adventist Church, 575 Main Street, Malden at 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 16th. The public is invited. The Haitian community in Everett is invited for a prayer vigil this Friday evening, January 15th at 7:00 PM at the Immaculate Conception Church, Broadway, Everett. Other services and gatherings will be posted as they become known.

Your generosity and compassion would be greatly appreciated. We urge you to do what you can to aid the Haitian relief effort. A little goes a long way.

If you have any questions or suggestions, contact the Tri-City Relief Task Force, c/o North Shore Rescue Mission, 101 Pierce Street, Malden 02148. Telephone contacts are (781) 324-9777 or (781) 535-7781 or you can visit this Blog for updated information.

Support for Haitian Community

Please help us support the Haitian community during this difficult time.

TriCityHaitianRelief

The communities of Malden, Medford and Everett (Tri City) are pulling together to help the Haitian community and all those associated with the Haitian Earthquake Relief Efforts.