Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) Foundation is proud to contribute
$2,000.00 to the Yéle Haiti Foundation in order to help with Haiti’s recovery and development efforts as
they struggle to rebuild their lives after the devastating earthquake.
Haiti sustained total damage and loses calculated at approximately $7 billion. That is more than 120 % of
Haiti’s 2009 gross domestic product (GDP). A post-disaster needs assessment put the total value of
needs at $11.5 billion for social sectors, infrastructure, production sectors environment and disaster risk
management.
Yéle Haiti has played a major role in the humanitarian efforts for the recent earthquake disaster.
The main goal of this organization is to foster positive change in the country through programs in
education, athletic development, performing arts and environmental awareness. Yéle’s community
service programs include food distribution, emergency relief and HIV/AIDS awareness. World
renown musician, humanitarian and Goodwill Ambassador to Haiti Wyclef Jean founded Yéle Haiti
in 2005 in an effort to improve the quality of life for his fellow Haitians.
“We are confident that OLBC Foundation’s donation to Haiti relief demonstrates our commitment to this
worthy cause. The people of Haiti are our brothers and sisters, our children and we need to ensure that
our children and families have education, health care and employment opportunities”, said State
Representative Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland), Chairwoman, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation.
Rebuilding Haiti is a priority for the OLBC Foundation and we are excited to provide assistance to our
Haitian neighbors. In the near future, we hope to travel to Haiti to assist with humanitarian efforts.
The OLBC Foundation chose Yéle Haiti because it follows closely to the mission of our organization
which is to create jobs, provide quality healthcare, and enhance educational opportunities. Yéle
Haiti reinforces our goals through their many projects that deal with education, health, environment
and community development. Thus far, Yéle Haiti has helped to create over 3,000 new jobs, placed
close to 7,000 children in school, distribute food to more than 8,000 people a month and educate
approximately 24,000 young people annually about HIV/AIDS prevention.
For more information, contact Mary Myers, Executive Director of the Oho Legislative Black Caucus at
mmyers@olbcfoundation.org.### |
