2007report

HSFi: Building bridges of hope, love, harmony and understanding: 

HSFi: Building bridges of hope, love, harmony and understanding The President’s Report 2007 Annual Meeting

What is HSFi ?: 

What is HSFi ? A dream (a strongly desired purpose) of a community coming together in support of Haitian students with unmet needs An ideal, a vision yet to be implemented A coordinated efforts of good hearted citizen.

Mission Statement: 

Mission Statement The Haitian Students Foundation provides wide-ranging resources to Haitians pursuing higher education and holds itself accountable for increasing the number of Haitian earning college degree.

Vision Statement: 

Vision Statement We envision a foundation built into a sustainable organization to meet various needs of Haitian students and empower them to become successful member of the global community.

Goals and Objectives: 

Goals and Objectives A large-scale Scholarship program funded by the community at large to assist students with unmet needs An Internship program which provides opportunities for young Haitian students during their senior years. A Fellowship and exchange program to encourage studies on vital aspect of the Haitian experience by fostering exchanges and cooperation between Haitian graduates students from here and Haiti. Provide basic social services (Child care, mentoring and tutoring) that could facilitate adults with children to go back to college if they so desire.

Today’s Situation: 

Today’s Situation A pattern of rising tuition rates Shrinking financial aid Unhurried immigration proceedings caused many to be in limbo (not necessarily illegal) and therefore ineligible for Financial aid be it Pell Grant or Student loan.

How Did We Get Here?: 

How Did We Get Here? Over the past 20 years, states budgets allocated to Higher education have been squeezed. Due to tax revenue budget shortfall, Florida is now considering yet another 5% tuition rates increase. According to a report by an Advisory Committee on Financial Aid, ½ of all qualified low and moderate income High School graduates are unable to attend college due to financial barriers. Last year, the cost of the war caused the federal government to enact a $ 12 billions cuts in government backed students loans An imposing number of Haitian students are ineligible for financial aid due to their immigration status causing them to be among the first victims of tuition rates increase. An alarming number of Haitian students are dropping out of college because of financial difficulties.

Invalid assumptions: 

Invalid assumptions The students in needs are young high school graduates. There is money for those who want to go to college. Higher education is just a matter of will and drive.

The Challenge we face: 

The Challenge we face Overcome the fatalism of a broken community – Despair is the enemy within. Transcend deep animosities, past hurts and prejudice. Convince good hearted citizen to take action and contribute. Earn the trust of a highly skeptical community

Our Structure: 

Our Structure Board of Directors: Executive Committee and the Chair of every Standing Committee Executive Committee: 5 officers Standing Committees: Scholarship, Fundraising, Internship and Fellowship, Finance and Budget, Growth and Development, Social Concerns. Other Committees: Advisory Board, Ad Hoc Scholarship Award Committee

Meetings: 

Meetings Executive Meeting – The Executive committee meets weekly via conference call. Strategic Meeting - the full Board of Directors meets every quarter to discuss strategies and tactics. Brainstorming meeting – Committees meet as needed and agreed among members to discuss activities and implementation of goals. Annual Meeting – All stakeholders are asked to meet the second Saturday of September to receive the president report and vote on budget and other important matters. Consultation – Directors meet with Advisory Board members based on their stated interests via conference call as needs arise. Membership meeting – Called by the president with the consent of the executive committee or the Board of Directors to deliberate on pressing issues.

Current Leadership: 

Current Leadership Ralph Cheriza, President (Lecturer, Social worker, Former News Executive at Radio Lumière then Signal FM, WPB, Fl) Rodly Madéus, Vice President (Hip hop Artist and Graduate student at FIU, North Miami, Fl) Malie Moreau, Secretary (Graduate student at Barry University, Hollywood, Fl) Diganne Celestin, Treasurer (BS in Finance, graduate student at FAU, Boynton Beach, Fl) Didi Udofiah, PR (Poet and Educator with the Palm Beach School District, West Palm Beach, Fl)

Our history: 

Our history As far back as 1999 when Ralph Cheriza unsuccessfully for president of Kiskeya Club – PBCC/Central. As President of Kiskeya Club, he charged Nelson Antoine with the responsibility of testing the waters. A brainstorming meeting was held with Haitian businessmen but was poorly attended. Dr. Jean Pierre Paul Cadet, Dominique Saint Fleur were among the very few who honored the invitation. April 6th, 2002 - Dr. Edwidge Crevecoeur Bryant in a keynote speech at the FHSA 3rd annual conference challenge Haitian students to support each other with a scholarship program and a Job bank. The day before, Ralph Cheriza in a state of our community address, pledged that a new generation will soon rise to replace despair with opportunity. February 21st, 2004 – Haitian students and alumni from PBCC, Barry University, University of Central Florida, Valencia Community College and FAU met to lay the ground work for the Haitian Students Foundation. The organization was incorporated on May 13, 2004. Tax-exempt status known as 501 (c) (3) was granted on January 11, 2005. August 21st, 2006 – Inaugural scholarship award – 4 presented to Sandy Desir (PBCC) Marie A. Joseph (PBCC) Stephanie Dorvil (PBCC) and Ginelle Christolin (USF) 2007: Granted sales tax exemption, solicitation license and awarded over $ 15,000.00 in scholarships to 8 students.

Early Support: We are getting there: 

Early Support: We are getting there Techni pro Institute of Gilbert Hyppolite – In kind contribution for vocational school scholarship worth $13,039.00 Dr. Edwidge Crevecoeur Bryant – Back in 2002, she had motivated many to join this effort. This year, she delivered the keynote speech at our fundraiser and did not charge us even fro transportation and lodging. Tele Lakay – From the beginning, they have been consistent in providing extensive news coverage of our events Dr. Wedler Alexandre – although he has his own scholarship program, he has been consistent in supporting us even inviting us to radio interview granted to him and contributing $500.00 as well. Dr. Mildred Olivier – she lives in another state yet felt the need to sponsor 8 individuals to attend our dinner fundraiser. Dr. David Abellard – sponsored a table at our dinner and contributed $500.00 Dr. Pierre Paul Cadet – We are grateful for his unwavering support. He was the first to meet with us back in 2000 on the initiative and has been consistent every year in attending our fundraiser or contributing. This year his contribution was $200.00 and has agreed to serve on our Advisory Board. We are grateful this year that St John United Methodist Church (Past Adhemar) and Bethel Evangelical Church (Past. Jules) contributed $200.00 each

Strategies for success: 

Strategies for success Broaden our support by establishing an advisory board and reaching out to other regions. Revamp the leadership of the organization Structure the fundraising, scholarship, finance and budget committees. Establish a better working relationship with the Haitian media Provide good stewardship of the organization by holding leaders accountable, enforcing an open book policy, empowering stakeholders to make critical decision, ensuring check and balance and setting high standards.

07/08 Fundraising Calendar: 

07/08 Fundraising Calendar Students Night Out – November 16th - Admission: $10 in advance $15 at the door. Statewide Pledge Drive: February 3rd – 9th Glades Stage Show – February 16th – Sky’z Da Limit and many more. Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center. Admission: $ 15 in advance $ 20 at the Door. Orlando Cocktail Reception: May 17th – Admission: $30 early bird. Palm Beach Dinner: April 5th – Hilton Palm Beach Airport - $ 75 early bird Miami Stage Show – June 14th – Admission $ 20 in advance. A traditional Haitian ball – tentative

We Need You!: 

We Need You! You can become a member of the organization to help further our mission. Here is what I believe as expressed in 2 distinct speeches: “You and I cannot rewrite a past of indifference but we can build a destiny of love and care.” (Ramada Plaza Resort – Miami, Fl on 7/16/05) “Only a community resolved to face its demons can change its destiny. . . The stakes my friends, are way too high for this to be left to one man however well intentioned. We must make this a community affair, a ‘konbit’ where all come together to make it a better day.” (Hilton Palm Beach Airport – WPB, Fl on 3/17/07) Ralph Cheriza