Haiti Relief Fund

Provision Foundation in cooperation with Cedar Springs Church has established a Haiti Relief Fund which will involve funding the organizations listed below and will balance immediate relief and ongoing development funding as more assessment and strategy is solidified. Additional trusted organizations may be included in the distribution of this fund if deemed appropriate and helpful to the overall effort. Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church is handling the gifts for this and funds can be submitted at this link.

Direct affiliates of ProVision Foundation:

Chadasha Foundation/Jimani Project – Based in Knoxville, TN, the Chadasha Foundation runs the Jimani Project which is in Jimani, Dominican Republic (DR). Jimani is just across the border from Haiti on the main road that leads from the DR to Port-au-Prince. Initial reports are that there are thousands of Haitians crossing the border with many in need of medical help. The Jimani Project is already addressing needs and providing medical care. An assessment team from Knoxville has arrived in Jimani. They are presently assessing the situation and develop a strategy for coordinating. We are posting through our blog regular updates about the status of Jimani Project for those interested in involvement and funding. This is a good organization for those interested in immediate relief. For funding of this project see “Haiti Relief Fund” above.

Harvest Field Ministries (click here) – Also based here in Knoxville, TN, Harvest Field works with American individuals, churches, and groups to grow and nurture relationships with Haitian churches, schools, and orphanages and take a holistic approach in caring for children. Harvest Field presently works with 22 churches in helping them to establish schools and orphanages and work holistically in their communities. Details are still sketchy and assessment is still being done, but it is known that a significant number of church buildings, schools and orphanages they work with have been leveled. The most heart-breaking and tragic report so far is from the one orphanage that was already up and running: 17 of the 18 girls made it out during the earthquake, the youngest, a 5 year old, did not. They need our prayers. Some of you represent churches who might be interested in connecting with churches in Haiti and assisting in mid and long term development. Harvest would meet this category. Whether a church and group of friends or an individual, this is a good option for those interested in mid to long range development in helping to rebuild churches who were ministering holistically to their communities as well as developing much needed schools and orphanages related to those churches.

Additional trusted partners:

Cross International (click here) - This organization is a good immediate response vehicle for those who are desiring to give toward immediate response and relief. Cross works worldwide bringing “food, shelter and hope to the poor” and is well connected in Haiti. They have already responded to this disaster and are in process of distributing "millions of meals" among other things. They are also connecting with other organizations such as Cure International for emergency medical care as well as their already established local networks of organizations, ministries and churches.

Cure International (click here)-Cure transforms the lives of disabled children and their families in the developing world through medical and spiritual healing, serving all by establishing specialty teaching hospitals, building partnerships, and advocating for these children. The Cure Dominicana Hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is a pediatric orthopedic hospital that provides inpatient surgical and rehabilitative care to disabled children. The hospital serves more than 700 outpatients each month and maintains a very active spiritual ministry. The hospital regularly sends surgical teams into Haiti. Doctors from Cure Dominicana Hospital have gone to Port-au-Prince and are performing surgeries, amputations, etc. Next to search, rescue, and relief teams, one of the biggest needs is for surgeons and skilled medical professionals to treat the injured. This is a good organization for those desiring to give toward specialized medical relief.

Restavek Foundation (click here) This organization is dedicated to helping the hundreds of thousands of children who are caught up in child servitude in Haiti, the majority of them who live in Port-au-Prince. These children have been instantly thrown into a situation of astronomical proportions, which no child should have to endure without a loving family to support them. Unfortunately, the reality is grim for children living in restavek. Their current situation now leaves them even more vulnerable prey to those looking to take advantage of a country brought to its knees. Many other children in this region will also become vulnerable to abuse and exploitation as well. It is Restavek Foundation's immediate goal to reach out, locate and continue to support those children that are lost or in need of urgent help. This is a good organization for those interested in targeting their help toward children at risk for the days, weeks and months to come.

Hope International (click here) - HOPE has worked in Haiti for the last five years, establishing a vibrant microfinance ministry that reaches thousands of Haiti’s poorest. HOPE has established the HOPE Haiti Relief & Development Fund, through which they aim to provide both short-term relief and longer-term rebuilding and development. HOPE’s relief efforts will rush bottled water, food, personal care and hygiene items, emergency healthcare materials, and medication to those most in need. All assistance will be coordinated through Dominican border towns, in conjunction with a network of sister organizations that have worked in Port-au-Prince for over two decades. This localized presence will ensure that necessary goods will arrive quickly, without the delays of container shipments and customs processing. HOPE'S mid- and longer-range development efforts will ensure that the people of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas are not forgotten when news coverage fades. This is a good organization for those interested in immediate relief efforts but desire to be weighted toward mid and longer range development efforts as well.

World Relief (click here) is dedicated to empowering the local Church to serve the most vulnerable. World Relief seeks, facilitates, and promotes collaboration among all stakeholders, including local governments, the worldwide church, mission agencies, other NGO’s, and the business community, recognizing partnership as essential to serving the most vulnerable. World Relief staff in Haiti have been personally affected by the earthquake. The World Relief Haiti office collapsed—the second floor fell onto the first. They have accounted for 38 out of 40 of their staff. Please pray for those who haven’t yet been heard from. Pray also for a staff member who lost a child and another whose child was injured.

Beyond Borders (click here) – This organization is dedicated to assisting the poor of Haiti with community development, literacy programs, education reform, and crisis support in Haiti. Beyond Borders has worked many years in Haiti and is well established. Their role in community development will make them poised to help community leaders bring order and stability back to areas devastated by the earthquake in addition to their crisis support. This is a good organization for those looking to support long term development efforts.

With most of these organizations listed above, links are included for direct donations. For community or corporate leaders, pastors, or those desiring to give major donations, we are glad to directly connect you with someone from these organizations if desired. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you for caring about Haiti during this very difficult time. Your generosity is much appreciated. If further contact is necessary, please email us at jonathan@haiticonnection.net