About Our Organization

Haitian Americans United for Change was organized exclusively for charitable purposes. Specifically, H.A.U.C. was organized to improve the lives of Haitians that have immigrated to the United States and Americans of Haitian descent. Haitian immigrants have faced the usual challenges and prejudice that most new immigrant groups have encountered. These challenges have been compounded because in addition to being foreigners, most Haitians face the language barrier and the culture shock. The population of Haitians in the United States has been estimated at more than 800,000. The largest population centers are located in New York and Florida. The 2000 census estimated that there were 180,000 Haitians in New York. Unlike many immigrant groups, the U.S. government has provided little support for the Haitians.

H.A.U.C. improves the lives of Haitians by providing a supportive environment and developing a system of social networking. Its first goal is to help newly emigrated Haitians transition to life in the U.S. The most obvious challenge that newly arrived Haitians face is the language barrier. H.A.U.C helps overcome this obstacle by providing volunteer mentors who will guide and assist the new immigrants in their adjustment to life in the U.S. by providing them with the opportunity to practice the English language in a secure environment. The organization will also help new immigrants find the information that they need to enroll in educational (such as English as a second language) and vocational courses in the local area.

In addition, H.A.U.C. stresses to the new arrivals and the Haitian community that education and gainful employment is the key to success in the U.S. H.A.U.C. also provides information about various government sponsored assistance programs that might help immigrants find housing, training programs, and health care. It also sponsors seminars about career development, financial issues, and other social and health issues that are of interest to members of the community.

The organization acts as a bridge between the Haitian and the American cultures. It seeks to preserve and to promote the Haitian heritage while simultaneously embracing the American traditions. For example, in addition to helping immigrants improve their English, Haitian Americans are encouraged to learn Creole and French, the most common languages spoken in Haiti. The American celebrations and the Haitian celebrations are both observed and treated as an opportunity to develop social connections that will pull the community together. These celebrations are used to develop the social networks that members of the community can use in both their business and social lives.

H.A.U.C. participates as a sponsor in several celebrations such as Haitian Flag Day, Voter registration, Valentine's day Celebration and the Mother's Day Gala. These events bring the Haitian community together both as people of Haitian descent and as Americans. In addition to the celebratory aspects, these events allow members of the community to network and forge the relationships that bond a community together.