How Can I Help?

Donations

The immediate need is still for money that can be used by an established relief organization to best aid victims of the devastating earthquake. Visit www.interaction.org to get a list of credible responding organizations for international emergencies. Reputable organizations include:

  • Mayor Thomas M. Menino has also established a Haitian Family Relief Fund at Bank of America where residents can make donations to support relief efforts for families in Boston who are affected by the earthquake. Donations can be made via The Fund for Boston Neighborhoods, Inc. Haitian Family Relief, P.O. Box 961555, Boston, 02196, at Boston City Hall or at Bank of America branches in Boston. 

  • Partners in Health: www.pih.org 

  • International Red Cross: www.redcross.org or donate $10 by texting "HAITI" to "90999" (will be charged to cell phone). 

  • Catholic Relief Services: www.crs.org 

  • You can find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information (www.cidi.org) or through USAID’s interactive website, which has a list of non-governmental organizations and instructions on how to help: www.usaid.gov

Those that would like to donate non-perishable food and new clothing can support BCYF Cares, an initiative coordinated by the Boston Center for Youth and Families in partnership with ‘101.3 Big City’ radio station and the American Red Cross.  Drop-off times and locations are:

  • Perkins Community Center, 155 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester: Mon.-Fri 2-6 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • Mildred Avenue Community Center, 5 Mildred Ave., Mattapan: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.- 8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Volunteer

Those interested in volunteering at the Haitian Support and Resource Center are encouraged to contact the Boston Public Health Commission by emailing haitisupport@bphc.org.

According to USAID, volunteer opportunities in disaster settings are rare, and are usually limited to people with prior disaster experience and technical skills such as health, engineering, etc. Those interested can register skills and experience for a possible volunteer opportunity, go to the Center for International Disaster Information's registration page: http://dex.cidi.org/dstechas.aspx.  The information provided is accessed by governmental and non-governmental agencies working in the disaster location.

The American Red Cross is not accepting volunteers to send to Haiti, however, individuals can volunteer to respond to local disasters by contacting the local chapter at 617-274-5325 or visiting www.bostonredcross.org. 

News & Press Releases

Calendar

  • See a listing of upcoming events and community meetings related to the Haiti relief effort.
    View Calendar »

Video & Mulitimedia

  • Addressing Immigration Rumors Q & A

    Community leaders and representatives host forum regarding immigration in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

    Watch Video

  • Community Meeting

    On January 13th, The City of Boston, in conjunction with a number of community partners held a meeting with members of the Haitian community at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

    Watch Video

    Watch Video in Haitian Creole

Related Links