Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is Allowed for Haitian nationals

STATEMENT FROM HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY JANET NAPOLITANO “As part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to assist Haiti following Tuesday’s devastating earthquake, I am announcing the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals who were in the United States as of January 12, 2010. This is a disaster of historic proportions and this designation will allow eligible Haitian nationals in the United States to continue living and working in our country for the next 18 months.

Obama: "We will do what it takes to save lives"

The White House has released a transcript of President Obama's latest remarks on the situation in Haiti, made today in the White House just after 1 p.m. THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. I wanted to just make a brief statement on the latest situation in Haiti so that the American people are fully up to date on our efforts there.

Finally, word from Delmas coming in

The voice on the other end of the line was full of life. There were no tears, despite the fact that she is surrounded by death. This afternoon, the Reporter finally got through to a home in the Delmas section of Port-au-Prince where we know our friend and colleague Richardson Innocent has been since the earthquake hit.

Collaborative fundraiser set for Saturday in Dudley Square

A coalition of organizations from across Boston are joining forces to raise funds for Haiti's relief effort on Saturday, Jan. 16 in Roxbury's Dudley Square. Billed as a "collaborative earthquake relief effort", organizers say that funds and items collected at the event will go to the American Red Cross, Partners in Health and The Boston Foundation. The event, set to run from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley St., will include a speaking program and entertainment. For more information on supporting the event, contact Nancy Rosseau at miss_rousseau@yahoo.com.

WCVB-TV 5 broadcasting all-day fund drive for relief efforts

WCVB-TV Channel 5 is broadcasting an all-day fund-raiser today, Jan. 15 until 11:35p.m. at the station’s studios. While raising funds for the American Red Cross International Disaster Relief in Haiti, "Relief Fund 5: Haiti Quake" will focus on local efforts to help disaster victims by interviewing representatives from the Red Cross and the Haitian community in Massachusetts. With live inserts throughout the day, Channel 5 is asking viewers to call 781-453-3100 with donations.

Crisis center hours extended for two more weeks

Updated: Thurs., Jan. 28 — An emergency resource center set up to assist the families of earthquake victims and survivors will continue to offer assistance for two more weeks, according to officials who run the operation. It is now located at the Mattapan branch library on Blue Hill Avenue. The center, coordinated by staff from the union and the Boston Public Health Commission, has been helping Haitian Americans connect to relatives and other services. The new number for the center is 617-593-0363. Beginning next week, the City of Boston's Referral and Support Center will continue to operate out of the Mattapan Public Library at the following times: Tuesdays: 2:00-7:00 pm Thursdays: 2:00-6:00 pm Saturdays 12:00-5:00 pm Attorneys and mental health counselors will continue to be available during these hours. Call (617) 593-0363 for more information.

BC High students hear from Jesuit priest in Haiti's north

Boston College High School passes along correspondence they have received today (Thursday, Jan. 14) via e-mail from Fr. Perard Monestime, S.J. who was able to update the school community today with his version of the news from his vantage point at a Jesuit school in northern Haiti. The BC High students read this account aloud today at school and raised funds during a morning collection that will go to Haiti. Fr. Monestine writes:

Emily Rooney talks about the aftermath on 89.7 WGBH

Emily Rooney discusses the aftermath of the earthquake on her radio program on WGBH 89.7 on Wednesday. Go to WGBH to see a preview of a special documentary "Egalité for All", about The Haitian Revolution (1791–1803) and Toussaint Louverture (1743–1803), which will air on PBS stations locally on Friday, Jan. 15.

NECN reports on crisis center in Dorchester

New England Cable News reports on the efforts in Boston to connect Haitian families to loved ones in Haiti.

Boston priest in Haiti: 'Pray that their faith continues'

Rev. Richard ButlerThe Reporter has made contact with Fr. Richard J. Butler, a Boston Archdiocesan priest who arrived in Haiti on Tuesday, just hours before the quake. Butler, a senior priest at St. Mary of the Assumption in Brookline, was traveling to a Boston-affiliated hospital— St. Boniface— in the southern town of Fond des Blanc when the earthquake hit. In an e-mail today he reports the following: "We arrived Tuesday at 1:30 at Port au Prince and were almost at Fond des Blancs when the earthquake occurred. Thank God as we arrived at the St. Boniface Hospital the damage was minor. We quickly heard how severe was the damage elsewhere. "We have had continuing tremors and are staying alert but we are safe."

Boston Haitian Reporter