Warning: This listing is no longer actively maintained. The information below is likely to be out of date.

Last updated on July 16, 2003

The Haitian Coalition is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization formed to enlarge opportunities for Haitians in Somerville and neighboring cities. Our efforts fall into four areas.CIVIC PARTICIPATION/DEVELOPMENT programs conduct citizenship classes, disseminate information on candidates and issues, conduct voter registration drives, and encourage voting.CHILDREN, YOUTH and FAMILY activities include youth-peer leadership programs in which teens receive training in smoking prevention and environmental programs, then conduct workshops on them throughout the community. Meetings are held to help parents understand the many differences between Haitian and American society on such topics as domestic violence, evaluation and promotion in the school system, and services the DSS makes available. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT efforts are training Haitian women to become licensed home-child-care providers, permitting them to perform a most valuable service to their community while earning a substantial income. An ongoing effort has established a working relationship with financial institutions to provide assistance and loans to open small business and buy homes. COMMUNITY EDUCATION events include the annual Haitian Health Fair and a series of meetings in conjunction with Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services to help elderly Haitians gain access to resources and benefits. In addition, the Executive Director, Franklin Dalembert, maintains efforts to keep the community informed on the frequently-changed immigration and welfare regulations of the commonwealth and the federal government.

History:
The Somerville Haitian Coalition was established in 1992 in a collaborative relationship with the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), which has experience in development of grass-root groups. By 1998, the Coalition had grown to the point that it could stand alone and opened new offices at One Davis Square, Somerville. It continues to work closely with the CAAS and has developed collaborative relationships with a number of Somerville and Cambridge service organizations, all of which have contracted with the Coalition to perform various community services. Through these efforts, the Coalition serves as a bridge between the Haitian community and the community at large. In 1998, the organization began providing more services to its constituents. Its effort to train and support Haitian women to start their own home-child-care businesses is the latest example of its mission to create opportunities for Haitians and Haitian Americans to serve the communities in which they live.

Contact people:

Tia Zlotnikoff, Director of Volunteers, (phone) Franklin Dalembert, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Darlene Jeanniton, Youth Coordinator, (phone)

Office fax number: (617) 629-5960

Address:

One Davis Square Somerville, MA 02144 (See a map)

Web Site: http://Haitian-Coalition.org

Directions:

By car from anywhere, see Aol.com or Yahoo.com and click "maps/directions". Use "Highland Ave. & Holland St." as the destination.T buses to Davis Sq.: #88 Clarendon Hill to Lechmere Sq.; #90 Davis Sq. to Wellington Sta.; #94 Medford Sq. to Davis Sq.; #77, Harvard Sq. to Arl. Hts. Get off at Day St.& Mass. Ave. Davis Sq. is an eight-minute walk down Day St. T Red Line to Davis Sq.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Davis Square,   Walk distance (in minutes): 2   Nearest Bus Stop: Davis Square, 2 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com

---

Be the first person to offer feedback on this agency!
Post a volunteer reflection to share your experiences with other volunteers!