Worsening gang violence and kidnappings in Haiti—caused largely by economic mismanagement which can be traced back to the colonial period—has prompted a growing number of Haitian refugees to risk their lives to flee to the United States.

But the situation when they arrive in this country is far from secure. 1199 members and staff, many of whom are of Haitian descent themselves, collectively raised $56,873 to help Haitian refugees who have made it to Florida and Massachusetts.

The money was divided between three churches and a North Miami community organization, Sant La.

In Massachusetts, L’Eglise de Dieu Lumiere et Vie in Malden and the Eglise Evangelique Bethel le Rocher in Dorchester each received $10,000 with a further $10,00 distributed to the Peniel Haitian Baptist Church in Lake Worth, Florida. The remaining $26,873 was donated to Sant La.

1199 Magazine: May / June 2022