Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Haitians living in metro Atlanta have been affected by their home country's devastating earthquake and are working collaboratively with other organizations in the recovery effort. Groups such as the Haitian Alliance are trying to build networks of support to provide assistance to the victims of the earthquake. Others, such as the nonprofit Haitian Community Relations, are also working to help newly arriving Haitians make a successful transition and respond to the needs of those currently residing in metro Atlanta.
“What we need to have is a Haitian cultural and information center that will be able to provide services to unskilled immigrants such as job training and referral, language assistance and information about churches, as well as to sponsor cultural events, arts and crafts expositions and sporting activities,” said Joseph Alfred, a Haitian immigrant and founder and CEO of the nonprofit Haitian Community Relations.
Establishment of a cultural and information center is a long-term project and we have organized a group of individuals devoutly committed to the cause,” Alfred said. “We are looking for donated space that is near public transportation.” For additional information and opportunities to help with the establishment of The Haitian Heritage Cultural and Information Center, call Joseph Alfred, (770)-262-6621 or e-mail him at hciinformation@gmail.com.
Haitians have been migrating to the U.S. in waves over the past two decades. While some migrated directly to Atlanta, most were part of secondary migrations from initial settlements in New York City, New Jersey, Boston and south Florida. Haitians who came to the Atlanta region prior to September 11, 2001, were typically highly educated and arrived with specific jobs transfers. Since that time, a new wave, a mix of legal and illegal immigrants, began arriving in response to reports of employment opportunities in the region. There are more than 6,400 Haitians living in metro Atlanta, according to 2000 U.S. Census reports. Some community leaders believe that the Haitian population in metro Atlanta may be as large as 30,000, if undocumented immigrants were counted. Download the Haitian Global Atlanta Snapshot to learn more about Haitians in the Atlanta region.