Haitian American United for Progress (HAUP) is coming to Brooklyn. With a June 12 open house to inaugurate its Brooklyn site at 1760 Nostrand Ave, HAUP invites all to visit from 10 am – 6 pm.
HAUP is a multi-program organization, providing support for individuals who are seeking immigration, educational, and health services, while also assisting to those with special needs.
“We have so many staff members already serving residents in Brooklyn, we need a base here,” said Elsie St. Louis-Accilien, executive director of the organization that has its headquarters is in Queens.
HAUP’s after-school program — HAUP 21st Century Horizons Youth Program is in two schools in Brooklyn. “Our Crown Heights Compass program at P.S. 241 located in Crown Heights, serves over 180 children and we also have a SONYC program at P.S. 189 in Brownsville, where we work with over 120 children,” said St. Louis-Accilien.
She also explained that the Special Needs Services in Brooklyn provides respite and community habilitation — skill building toward self-sufficiency for high functioning individuals with mental disabilities. HAUP also has a Medicaid Service Coordinator and non-Medicaid Service Coordinator.
Additionally, HAUP provides immigrant services including translation help, a notary, and will begin ESL this September. St. Louis-Accilien added that HAUP coordinates with churches and community centers, “We have educational workshops on immigration and domestic violence, to name a few. So far, we’ve serve over 400 in Brooklyn.”
“It has been 10 years since HAUP has an office in Brooklyn. St. Louis-Accilien beams, glad to be back, “We’re now going to be in the heart of the immigrant community, East Flatbush (between Clarendon and Ave. D).” She explained that the space will also serve as a community center.
HAUP began in 1975 as a volunteer-based organization focused initially on responding to the needs of Haitian immigrants and refugees. Since it was founded, HAUP has consistently assisted immigrant and refugee families and individuals to meet their needs and to become productive citizens.
In the 1980’s, when the wave of Haitian refugees came ashore in Florida and had to be resettled in the New York area, HAUP was very involved in helping hundreds of refugees find shelter, food, clothing, employment, and other types of support services.
With roots as an organization to serve primarily the Haitian community, HAUP has evolved into a community center for any and all residents of New York City and the Greater Tri-State Area.
