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BROOKLYN DEPUTY BOROUGH PRESIDENT YVONNE GRAHAM TRAVELS TO HAITI TO HELP WITH RELIEF EFFORTS

Graham will work to set up long-term economic plan to help families rebuild.

On Friday, October 8, Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham will travel to Haiti as part of Brooklyn Borough Hall’s ongoing efforts to help rebuild the communities in Haiti that have been devastated by recent natural disasters. She will announce the establishment of a micro-economic development program to assist the people of Fonds Verretes who suffered from the flood in May as well as identify new ways to help the victims of Tropical Storm Jeanne.

“When I traveled to Fonds Verretes this August, I was overwhelmed by the destruction that I witnessed, but despite the fact that the entire community was destroyed, the spirit of the people, like the spirit of the people of Brooklyn, remained strong and alive. During my time in Haiti, it became apparent that a stronger infrastructure needed to be in place to ensure that the generous donations of Brooklynites, through the Christian Cultural Center, would reach the families that are most in need. By earmarking funds for activities that will produce a means of livelihood, we are establishing an economic program that will help families rebuild today, as well as give them hope for the future.”

Graham will be working with Groupe D’Appui Au Developpement Rural (GADRU) to create the micro-economic development program which will provide grants to individuals for the purchase of livestock or agricultural products that were lost during the flooding. The program will also provide micro-loans to small business owners to help them stimulate their businesses.

Graham will meet with local government officials to discuss ways to strengthen the partnership between Brooklyn and Haiti, and to explore new economic development opportunities that would help repair the damaged region as well as benefit Brooklyn. This trip will help lay the foundation for the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Economic Development Seminar on Haiti scheduled at Borough Hall on Monday, October 25.

Graham will be joined by Borough President’s Haitian Affairs Liaison Shedline Pierre, Media Spokesperson of the Haiti Relief Fund and President of Sure Access Communications Joe Placide, Vice President of Provident Clinical Society of Brooklyn Dr. Dexter McKenzie, and Dr. Carl Kenel-Pierre of Central Brooklyn Medical Group.