The Friends of St. Vincent's Center is a volunteer group formed in 1997 to help the children and staff at St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children in Port-au-Prince, Haiti obtain the resources needed to educate and care for the children. The Friends of St. Vincent's Center is an interfaith outreach ministry of St. James's Episcopal Church in West Hartford, Connecticut.
The Friends of St. Vincent's Center mission statement is to provide service, supplies and support to the children and staff at St. Vincent's Center, a residential school, day school, orphanage and hospital for approximately 400 handicapped children in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2004 has been a very difficult year for our colleagues and the children at St. Vincent's Center due to the political situation and civil unrest. The Friends of St. Vincent's Center continued their support in many different ways as it was not possible to conduct missions in Haiti. Following is a description of how the Friends supported St. Vincent's Center during 2004 through Service, Supplies, Outreach Education, Youth Activities, Support from Churches, Schools and Community Groups, Total Volunteer Hours,nd a brief report from the Texas Chapter of the Friends of St. Vincent's Center.
Due to the unstable situation, the construction, dental and eye clinics, occupational therapy and youth missions planned for 2004 were cancelled. In April, Bill Harris traveled to Haiti for an administrative and construction meeting and a meeting of the Children's Medical Mission for Haiti Board.
While the Friends were unable to implement the planned missions, the group increased their efforts to collect, inventory and pack supplies to send to St. Vincent's Center.In October over 70 volunteers packed a 40 foot land-sea container with supplies to send to St. Vincent's Center.
The Friends sent regular medical supplies to St. Vincent's Center. During 2004, 66 packages totaling 1,042 pounds of medications were sent through Amerijet. In addition 35,351 pounds of supplies valued at $94,514 were packed in the 40 foot land-sea container to send to St. Vincent's Center.
This year the Friends increased efforts to request financial support to help feed, clothe and educate the children at the Center and to support the staff. For the first time, several letters requesting donations and explaining the needs were sent to supporters. Responses to these requests were generous.
The Friends of St. Vincent's Center continue to develop support from a variety of sources.The owner ofHighland Park Groceries donated $3000 in food supplies that were sent on the land-sea container. Staff from American Airlines volunteered to make special trips to Haiti on their days off and carried supplies to the Center.
An important part of the Friends activities is to increase awareness about the needs at the Center to church and community groups. Members of the Friends donate time to tell the story of the Center and this has resulted in additional support for the Center. Presentations during 2004 include those to Sister Joan, who founded St. Vincent's Center, and colleagues at the convent in Boston, St. Mark's in Mystic, St. Mark's in New Britain, St. Paul's in Southington, Trinity in Wethersfield, St. Alban's in Simsbury, Christ Church in Middle Haddam, St. Mark's Chapel in Storrs, Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven MA, Girls Scout Troop in Southington, an exhibit at the Historical Day and Memorial Day Celebrations in West Hartford,the One World Fair‚ at the Baptist Church in Hamilton NY, St. John's in West Hartford, New Britain Rotary, and the Montessori School of Greater Hartford. Members of the Friends assisted with the book signing for Marc Yves Regis's lovely photographic documentary book about St. Vincent's Center entitled "Two Good Feet."
During 2004 the Friends placed emphasis on education for youth in terms of the needs of the Center. This resulted in a wonderful increase in both the awareness of youth and in their support. Will Garten and Peter Robinson from Trinity Episcopal Church in Wethersfield. Will collected school supplies from students at Wethersfield High School and Trinity Parish. Peter collected and repaired bikes to send to St. Vincent's Center.
Youth from Wethersfield High School, St. James's in West Hartford, Trinity in Wethersfield, Trinity in Hartford and Smith Middle School in Glastonbury helped pack the 40 foot land-sea container. Other Youth Projects developed by Youth Groups include:
|
School or Group |
Project |
|
Kingswood-Oxford in West Hartford |
Collected suitcases, bikes and tuna fish |
|
Silas Deane Middle School in Wethersfield |
Conducted a multi item drive for needs at the Center |
|
East Hartford / Glastonbury Magnet School |
Collected toiletries and school supplies |
|
Guilford Lakes Elementary School |
Collected school supplies |
|
Montessori School of Greater Hartford |
Collected food to send to the Center |
|
East Hampton Girl Scout Troop #1116 |
Collected supplies |
During 2004 support for the Center was received from many church groups including 24 churches in Connecticut and 4 churches in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Texas.
Many community groups and organizations supported the Friends work during 2004. Special acknowledgements and thanks for their continued support are offered to The UPS Store in Newington, Stor-U-Self in Newington, Chariots Of Hope in Granby, the Dental Practice Of Dr. John Bierly And Dr. Peter Peterson, Highland Park Market in Manchester, and Connecticut Business Center - West Hartford.
A complete list of the church, school and community supporters is located at http://www.friendsofstvincents.org.
Total volunteer time for Friends of St. Vincent's Center chapters during 2004 is 1925 hours.
January, 2005
"The Giving Project" was created four years ago between St. Vincent's School for the Handicapped in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Oak Hill Academy, a school for children with learning differences in Dallas, Texas. Each year the children and parents of Oak Hill Academy raise money, create gifts, and spend an entire day, The Giving Project Day, celebrating the Haitian culture. Hundreds of presents for teachers, staff and children at St. Vincent's are delivered in early December.
Over the years, word of The Giving Project has spread and created additional partnerships with the local business community. Starbucks, US Toys, Kinko's and other area merchants have made The Giving Project is an outstanding example of doing small things with great love. The students, staff and families of Oak Hill Academy engaged the '04 Giving Project with great passion again this year. Here in Dallas, the Oak Hill students created a "book" for the kids at St. Vincent's, the Oak Hill teachers incorporated Haiti as part of their curriculum this year, and the families raised money trough various fund raisers. On December 1st Oak Hill hosted the "Giving Project Day" as we celebrated the Haitian culture with music, food, education, and quest speakers. Mr. Walt Baker and his Haitian theology student, Danny, spent the day with us teaching our Oak Hill kids and families first hand about Haiti and bringing together two cultures. This was also the day the students helped to pack the 13 duffel bags full of 400+ gifts, food, school supplies, and toys. We raised over $6,000 this year to help:
Four women delivered the Giving Project in December
Thank you again for your interest and support.
Updated on 8/28/06