Many Haitians in the U.S. still have not received word about whether their loved ones are dead or alive. But today, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor David Patterson announced a new resource center to help Haitians get in touch with family and friends, and have access to many other resources they need during this extremely difficult time.
The New York Haitian Earthquake Family Resource Center is located in Crown Heights, and beginning Monday, it will provide services to the Haitian community, including:
- Creole-speaking interpretation services
- Assistance with completing Temporary Protected Status applications and other immigration-related assistance
- Access to telephones to contact appropriate federal and Haitian officials
- Use of computers for consulting a broad range of websites, including New York State’s Registry of New York Citizens in Haiti
- Child guardianship and custody services
- Legal information
- Grief counseling
The center will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Contact Information for the center is listed below.
New York Haitian Earthquake Family Resource Center
New York National Guard Armory
1579 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
Governor Patterson’s office has also established a hotline to help people locate friends and family in Haiti. The number is 1-888-769-7243.
