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After this experience, we realized that we could only help Haiti by working together. Under the banner of “Fortify Haitians to Fortify Haiti, we decided to build on the ties that bounded us together. We determined that while we had to be ready to respond to future crises that Haiti may face, we had to find a long term solution to Haiti’s underdevelopment, extreme poverty, chronic dependency, instability and its position as the poorest nation in western hemisphere then and now in the world. After many months of brainstorming, we concluded that any nation that had lost such a significant percentage of its population, its capacity would continue to suffer tremendously and no amount of small projects could help it recover. Hence we formed an organization with a strategic mission and relevant areas of work to meet the challenges.

The Congress has 4 fundamental areas of work flowing from our Mission. They are:

  1. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Through our Civic Engagement Committee, “The Haitian Congress For Civic Engagement,” we advocate for:
    • The rights of Haitians in their host nations for issues such as immigration reform;
    • Favorable U.S. policies towards Haiti in agriculture specifically against the bumper amendment restrictions, for fairness in contract-letting for reconstruction of Haiti, etc.;
    • Amending the 1987 Constitution for Haitians in the diaspora to regain their full citizenship; rights and to extend such rights to foreign-born children of a Haitian mother or a father;
    • Full reintegration into Haitian society;
    • The right to vote.
    • DOCUMENT PROJECTS (Under the Civic Engagement Area of Work):
      • “Reintegration: The Way Forward,” an analysis of the next steps for the Diaspora beyond Dual/Multi-Citizenship;
      • “Reintegration Appeal Fund;” a call to build the resources necessary to help the Reintegration Movement;
      • Policy Statements on Comprehensive Immigration Reform and other topical issues; Proposition de Loi for the Diaspora Vote and for further Amendments to the Constitution.
    • ACTIVISM TO PROMOTE REINTEGRATION AND THE WELLBEING OF THE
      • Collaborate with BAM DWAM to achieve the Diaspora Vote 2015;
      • Work to make Haitian Diaspora Federation an effective and visible advocacy organization on the national and international level for Haitians in the Diaspora and in Haiti;
      • Created a regional federation of Haitians in the 27 Midwest and Western states under the jurisdiction of the Haitian Consulate for Chicago and the Midwest for self-fortification to help fortify Haiti;
      • Educate the local, state, national and international Haitian Community about the Amendments to the Constitution, its gains and shortcomings;
      • Launch the UNITED FRONT Campaign to advocate for further amendments to the 1987 Constitution and to unite the Haitian Diaspora;
      • Advocate for Comprehensive Immigration Reform;
      • Advocate for U.S. policies favorable policies for Haiti in the realm of Agriculture, Reconstruction, etc.;
      • Advocate to protect the rights of African-Americans and other targeted communities, such as Haitians in the U.S. against discriminatory voter suppression and other violations in alliance with in alliance with Lott Carey, NAACP and other allies on the basis of mutual interests.
  2. COMMUNITY AND CULTURE: THE AIM IS TO ORGANIZE, IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE HAITIAN CONSULATE, THE CELEBRATION /COMMEMORATION OF ALL OF OUR NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AND OTHER RELEVANT EVENTS TO PRESERVE AND PASS ON MEMORY OF WHO WE ARE (Since 2006, the Congress has mobilized the Haitian Community to celebrate each of these events consistently). We celebrate or commemorate each of the following events:
    • Independence Day;
    • Journee of Remembrance of the 2010 earthquake (Since 2011);
    • Flag Day;
    • Annual Anniversary Celebration of the Founding of the Congress;
    • Bwa Kayiman;
    • Bataille de Vertierres;
    • We also support other relevant cultural, political and social activities initiated by other individuals and organizations.
  3. YOUTH: TO TRANSFER CULTURE, CUSTOM, LANGUAGE AND VALUES TO OUR YOUTH THROUGH VARIOUS MEANS
    • Worked in collaboration with Youth Technology Corps to implement a yearly Computer Camp in Haiti; created a free computer lab at Kizin Creole Restaurant for the use of the community at large.
    • We incorporate youth interest in our activities and events.
  4. HOMELAND: TO MOBILIZE HAITIANS, FRIENDS AND ALLIES TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES/DISASTERS AND TO TAKE ON HOMELAND PROJECTS: 
    • We provide relief in response to natural disasters in Haiti. (In response to the Earth Quake of 2010, organize a regional relief effort. As a result we sent approximately $1 Million worth of medications to L’Hopital General; we also sent and distributed 6 and ½ forty-foot containers (2 of which are still in customs) worth of medical supplies, wheel chairs, crutches, used sails for tarps and other goods to Haiti);
    • We also help other groups send and distribute supplies to Haiti;
    • We work on relevant projects with Haiti-based organizations such as GAFE (Groupe d’Action Francophone pour l”Environment.
    • MEMBERSHIP:
      • Outreach to recruit new members is an ongoing process.
    • FUNDRAISING/FUNDING
      • Annual fundraising Gala
      • Donations from members
      • Online fundraising campaign
    • OUTREACH
      • Participation at the Annual Conference of National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals in 2015
      • Brochure outlining our work
      • Publication of our letter to President Martely in Challenges Magazine and throughout social media