News: Unitarian Universalism in the News

One Year Later, UUSC-UUA Joint Haiti Relief Fund Response Continues

One year after the earthquake in Haiti, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) continue to respond to the enormity of the devastation. You have responded remarkably to our relief appeal. Since January 12, 2010, you—collectively with thousands of other members and supporters— have contributed more than $1,965,000 to support our work in Haiti.

A portion of that amount has helped us meet a very generous $500,000 challenge grant from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, in Manhasset, N.Y. Through eye-to-eye partnerships, the UUSC-UUA Joint Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund is helping Haitian grassroots organizations continue to respond to the needs of earthquake survivors to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of multiple crises.

Together we have made the following — and more — possible:

  • Provided emergency food and clothing to thousands of displaced Haitians.
  • Offered temporary employment to more than 2,000 displaced people in rural areas.
  • Trained 80 Haitian community activists in trauma-response techniques.
  • Organized economic training to get 200 women street vendors back on their feet.
  • Created child-protection committees in 10 camps.
  • Mobilized and trained 100 community activists to work against gender-based violence in Port-au-Prince camps.

We have not forgotten Haiti. And we know you—and your friends and families and congregations—haven’t either. Looking for ways to stay involved?

Thank you for joining us and our Haitian partners in this important work.

William F. Schulz
President and CEO of UUSC

Peter Morales
President of the UUA

“This soil conservation and road improvement project, it was like a gift from heaven! With the money I earned, I paid part of the annual school fees and bought shoes and a uniform to go back to school. I am in sixth grade. Honestly, if I did not get this part-time job, I would not have gone back to school. Instead I would have gone to the Dominican Republic to support myself and my family. Please keep doing these kinds of projects. They allow us farm families to live like human beings!” 
—Jordany, 23 years old [education is often delayed due to finances], participant in a Partnership for Local Development (UUSC partner) project.

“Our congregation has set the ambitious goal of raising $8,520 over four Sundays. This will allow Camp Oasis [a UUSC project in Haiti] to feed, clothe, house, and provide education for five girls for one year. . . .The ultimate amount collected through both the offertory and the match is anticipated to be a total of $34,080.00. . . . We trust it will make a significant difference in the lives of those children.”
—Gary D. Nissenbaum, chair of the Social Action Committee at the Unitarian Church in Summit, N.J.