News

President Wyclef Jean? Mixed reactions from local Haitians

August 5, 2010 by Farrah "Fafa" Girault

If I was president,
I'd get elected on Friday, assassinated on Saturday,
and buried on Sunday.
Fafa GiraultThese are words to the song “If I Was President” written by Wyclef back in 2004. Six years later, he announces (tonight) on CNN's "Larry King Live" that he intends to run for president of Haiti in the country's Nov 28 election.
The 37-year-old Grammy award winner has always given back to Haiti. The recording artist and now politician has been a goodwill ambassador for Haiti since 2007.
Like many, I always saw Wyclef as a world wide representativefor Haiti. He put Haiti on the map and made being Haitian cool for many of us. All of a sudden Haitian people who denied they were Haitian came out the woodwork— some wearing Haitian flags even. Classic. Read more

Children of the Quake learn to learn in a new land

July 22, 2010 by By Tara W. Merrigan, Special to the Reporter

Sherline Gustave: One of many Haitian nationals now studying in the Boston Public School system, she survived the Jan. 12th earthquake and moved to Boston last February. She is pictured above in a classroom at Hyde Park High. Photo by Tara W. Merrigan Sherline Gustave: One of many Haitian nationals now studying in the Boston Public School system, she survived the Jan. 12th earthquake and moved to Boston last February. She is pictured above in a classroom at Hyde Park High. Photo by Tara W. MerriganSherline Gustave, 18, slept on the streets of Port-au-Prince for weeks after January’s earthquake leveled her family’s home.

“I felt the house shaking and it crumbled just as my family and I got outside,” said Gustave in her native Haitian Creole—translated to English by her teacher, Evelyn Prophete. “We [Gustave and her family members] were sleeping out in the street in the sun and even in the rain.

Hoping to find a better life, Gustave and her sisters emigrated from Haiti to Boston in February. Gustave, who resides in Brighton, is one of 159 students who have entered the Boston Public Schools (BPS) system since the earthquake devastated Haiti on Jan. 12. They are among the thousands of Haitian nationals who have either traveled to the U.S. since the disaster or who moved here in the months prior to the quake and have been granted temporary protected status (TPS) by the U.S. government. Read more

Feds extend window for TPS applicants by six months

July 12, 2010 by Reporter Staff

The federal government has extended the deadline for Haitian nationals to apply for "Temporary Protected Status" or TPS, a relief program launched in response to the Jan. 12 earthquake. The new registration deadline is Jan. 18, 2011. The TPS designation applies to Haitians who have continuously resided in the United States since January 12, 2010, when the earthquake occurred; Haitian nationals who first entered the United States after that date are not eligible. Read more

Alleged sexual misconduct sidelines Mattapan priest

June 21, 2010 by Reporter Staff

The Archdiocese of Boston has taken disciplinary action against a well-known Haitian priest — Rev. Gabriel Michel— after it learned of allegations of "adult sexual misconduct." Fr. Michel, who has been ministering in Boston since 2002, has been suspended from his duties as a priest and the Boston Archdiocese says it "has notified the Most Reverend Louis Kebreau, SDB, Archbishop of Cap-Haitien concerning this matter." He has served most recently as a parochial vicar at St. Angela's Parish and as Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Boston's Haitian Apostolate. Read more

Inside the refugee camps, resilient people leave an indelible impression

June 18, 2010 by By Quang Truong, Special to the Reporter

Quang TruongOne month after my trip to Haiti, I am discovering that I possess more memories about the trip than I knew I had.

I keep recalling a woman from a refugee camp that showed me the inside her home. Cramped and sweltering, her tiny area was bathed in a faint blue, emanating from the tarps that made up her walls. Her roof was nothing more than bed sheets held up with stakes, and two bare mattresses, one used by her and the other for her three children, were the only furniture to speak of. This was the entirety her life and the lives of her children – just bed sheets, 2 mattresses and the faint blue glow from the tarps. Read more

Church group strains to meet needs of hungry in Mattapan

June 17, 2010 by Alex Owens, Special to the Reporter

Rev. Dr. Pierre Zephir: "We've seen a big, big increase since the earthquake."A hum of Kreyol rose softly from the tiny room at the Greater Boston Nazarene Compassionate Center on River Street as local residents filed in early on a rainy Wednesday morning. Soon, I am standing nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with more than 100 people waiting eagerly for their share of the bounty of food piled high on a couple of tables inside.
The church has been running a food bank on River Street for nearly 14 years. On Wednesday mornings starting around 10 a.m., volunteers distribute parcels of food to neighbors. Most days, the center is packed long before distribution begins.
According to GBNCC's Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Pierre Zephir, the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January has sent the food bank into overdrive due to its mainly Haitian demographic. Read more

Nancy Rousseau is a woman on the go

June 17, 2010 by Tara Merrigan, Special to the Reporter

Nancy RousseauSoon after an earthquake devastated Haiti in January, three thousand people packed Hibernian Hall in Roxbury. The high turnout, with only a few days notice, was in part thanks to Mattapan resident Nancy Rousseau and several others who organized the event.

“It was challenging to pull off that event in such a short time and be the anchor of the event on that day,” says Manolia Charlotin, Rousseau’s friend and colleague. “She was so calm. It really impressed me that she could maintain that level of calm on such a hectic day. I suppose that’s because for Nancy her work is about the people she’s helping. It keeps her focused.” Read more

St. Fleur delivers emotional farewell address to House of Representatives

June 15, 2010 by Reporter Staff

State Rep. Marie St. Fleur: Will not seek re-election to the House of Representatives this year.State Rep. Marie St. Fleur — the first Haitian-born state official elected in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts— resigned from her Fifth Suffolk district seat that she'd held since 1999 on Friday, June 11. St. Fleur this week started a job in the Menino administration as its chief of advocacy and strategic investment. Today, she delivered a customary farewell address to members of the House of Representatives in Boston's State House. Below is a summary of her remarks as reported by the State House News Service. Via the Dorchester Reporter's Lit Drop: Read more

New cafe and bakery Belle Epoque opens doors in Brockton

June 14, 2010 by Reporter Staff

Belle Epoque Grand Opening: Brockton Mayor Linda M. Balzotti cut a ceremonial ribbon at the grand opening of the new Haitian-American restaurant and bakery Belle Epoque Cafe and Bakeryon Saturday, June 12. Belle Epoque Grand Opening: Brockton Mayor Linda M. Balzotti cut a ceremonial ribbon at the grand opening of the new Haitian-American restaurant and bakery Belle Epoque on Saturday, June 12.

Brockton's latest Haitian-American owned business celebrated its grand opening on Saturday with encouragement from city and state leaders who turned out to welcome Belle Epoque to its new home in the Massasoit Plaza on Crescent Street. The business— which features both table and take-out service— is operated by the Devaris family, which already boasts a large client base through its catering business of the same name. Pictured above, left to right, at the ribbon cutting are Brockton City Council member Dennis DeNapoli, Mayor Balzotti, Andrew Calixte, Djennan Devaris-Calixte, owner-chef Mrs. Carolle Devaris, Kenson Calixte and his son Matthew, Brockton state Rep. Christine Canavan, State Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry and Cathy Auguste.

The restaurant and cafe specializes in a wide range of culinary tastes with a Haitian flair. Mrs. Devaris is an accomplished baker with a specialty in custom designed cakes. The cafe also features a menu of Haitian-American lunch and dinner favorites. Belle Epoque is located at 793 Crescent Street, Brockton. The phone number is 508-580-0020.

Beautiful spring weather greeted 2010 parade

May 21, 2010 by Idly Galette

Haitian Unity 2010: A sun-splashed Sunday greeted the 2010 Haitian Unity Parade in Mattapan on May 16, 2010. Above, the Haitian-American Marching Band makes its way up Blue Hill Avenue. Photo by Idly Galette Read more

Shelter and Solidarity: Boston fact-finding delegation reports on trip

May 14, 2010 by Charlotte Golar Richie and Sabine St. Lot

Six and Counting for Haiti: The Boston-based Six and Counting for Haiti includes members Darnell Williams of the Urban League, Herby Duverne, Sabine St. Lot, Sandy Cody, Gerald Reid, and Charlotte Golar Richie with their hosts Bob and Magalie Hyppolite and Haitian Minister Edwin Par Six and Counting for Haiti: The Boston-based group includes members Darnell Williams of the Urban League, Herby Duverne, Sabine St. Lot, Sandy Cody, Gerald Reid, and Charlotte Golar Richie with their hosts Bob and Magalie Hyppolite and Haitian Minister Edwin Paraison (far left). Photo by Joel Theodat.

Sabine St. Lot and Charlotte Golar Richie recently returned from Haiti with their group, Six and Counting for Haiti; members Sandy Cody, Herby Duverne, Dr. Gerald Reid and Darnell Williams contributed to this article.

Why We Went
In less than a minute, on a late Tuesday afternoon in mid-January, Haiti experienced one of the worst natural disasters in modern times. Struck by a very powerful earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.0, nearly a quarter of a million people died (numbers vary), and homes, schools and churches instantly vanished. Port-au-Prince, Leogane, Jacmel and Petit-Goave were severely crippled and will never be the same.
Thankfully, the world responded and thousands of people from far and wide have traveled to Haiti to assist with clean-up and rebuilding efforts. And so did we: three Haitian-Americans and three African-Americans from Massachusetts, who traveled there, three months after the earthquake, from April 19th to the 23rd, to deliver tents and supplies to people in need.
Not there to compete with the large international relief organizations, which have been steadily transporting water, tents, tarps and supplies to the capital and other communities, the members of our group were determined to do what we could to lend a helping hand. In doing so, we experienced a journey that was heart-wrenching, awe-inspiring and motivating. It also was challenging. And our visit is one we will never forget. Read more

May 22 Memorial Mass to remember earthquake victims

May 12, 2010 by Reporter Staff

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 22 at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Dorchester for victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. The Mass, which will be celebrated by Fr. William Joy of St. Angela’s parish in Mattapan, will be followed by a symbolic burial at New Cavalry Cemetery in Mattapan.
“We have a small coffin that we will ask people to fill with the names of those whom they lost in the earthquake,” said memorial organizer Collette Ostine.
The Mass will begin at 10 a.m. St. Matthew Church is located at 33 Stanton Street in Dorchester.

May 16 parade highlights Heritage Month in Boston

May 4, 2010 by Reporter Staff

Unity parade set for May 16: The annual parade features marching bands, floats, dancers and dignitaries- all celebrating Haitian and Haitian-American culture. Photo by Don West Unity parade set for May 16: The annual parade features marching bands, floats, dancers and dignitaries- all celebrating Haitian and Haitian-American culture. Photo by Don WestGovernor Deval Patrick will serve as the grand marshall of the 10th annual Haitian American Unity Parade, which will be held on Sunday, May 16 in Mattapan and Dorchester. The parade steps off from Mattapan Square and travels up Blue Hill Avenue beginning at 1p.m. Organizers say this year's event is an occasion for support and solidarity with earthquake victims.
"This year, because of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, and several surrounding areas on January 12, 2010, the annual Haitian Heritage Month/ Flag Day celebration will be focused on that tragic catastrophe," said Wilner Auguste of Haitian-Americans United, Inc., which organizes the parade.
The 15th annual Haitian Flag Raising Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 14 from 12 to 2 p.m. at Boston City Hall Plaza. It will be a memorial ceremony for those who died in the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. The Haitian flag will be flown at half- staff for the occasion. A quilt of Massachusetts residents’ relatives who died in the earthquake will be displayed at the ceremony, Auguste said. Read more

St. Fleur to work for Menino administration

April 23, 2010 by Reporter Staff

State Rep. Marie St. Fleur, who earlier this year announced that she will not seek re-election this fall, will be joining the administration of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, according to a press release from Menino's office today. Her title in Menino's office will be Chief of Advocacy and Strategic Investment, which oversees Menino's lobbying efforts through his Intergovernmental Relations Offices. St. Fleur will begin her new duties in June, according to Menino's office. Read more

Immigration chief pushes eligible Haitians to apply for legal status

April 23, 2010 by Bill Forry

The nation’s top immigration official appealed for help last week as his agency struggles to convince undocumented Haitian nationals living in the U.S. before last January’s earthquake to apply for temporary legal status. Ali Mayorkas, director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), addressed a gathering of immigration lawyers and activists for more than a hour-and-a-half at the John F. Kennedy Federal Building in downtown Boston last Friday. The majority of the back-and-forth discussion that followed his brief remarks focused on the Obama administration’s response to the Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti. Read more