Next Steps to Help Haiti--Big Picture

Wooster Grace is responding to the great need of the Haitian people.  We followed the networks that we have in place to connect with and to partner with Caribbean Vision Ministries CVM and Hope for Haiti Foundation HFHF.

I am learning how disaster response works.  There are three stages for how we can best help the Haitian people: Respond, Recovery, Reconstruction. I want to thank Lloyd Alter who cited Cameron Sinclair's article, "Haiti Quake: what next?"

Cameron speaks to some things that we are seeking to do also at Wooster Grace: Collaboration, Think Local, and Community Lead Reconstruction.  We are partnering with two organizations in Haiti. As I see it, one focuses on local churches, their pastors, and their communities--CVM.  The other focuses on long-term medical help and education--HFHF. Thus we are collaborating with these organizations who have local connections to communities in Haiti and each are making assessment of what needs done in that area. 

Wooster Grace is helping with the first level of help: Respond.  We asked our church to give to a special offering. And they gave sacrificially. 

Next, we are seeking to mobilize our people to help with the recovery.  CVM has provided a list of needs coming from local Haitian communities.  As a church we are targeting two areas of interest: shelter & babies.

We are going to coordinate our efforts in two areas.  Rather than try to get things from the whole list. We are going to focus our efforts on two areas. 

pic from madmac66 
Stephanie Fish is coordinating our efforts to gather shelter needs because the rainy season is on the horizon.  Many families will need temporary shelter while home are being reinforced or reconstructed.  So, tents, tarps, and rain ponchos are primary items we will gather. 

Carol Mills is considering coordinating our efforts through her small group to gather items for babies and moms.  There is such a lack of materials for infants. A list will be available soon. 

Together we want to gather materials and have you bring them to Wooster Grace on Sunday, February 28.  We will ship what we get to CVM.  So your help will go from Ohio to Florida and then on to Haiti. 

Shelter Need List:

• four-person tent (like this one at Walmart)
• any sized tarp (like this on from pic from madmac66)
• rain ponchos (like this one from Custom Leather Craft)

If you discover a sale on items or know of anyone who could help with store discounts or business donations, then please let us know.  Put your information in the comments below.  Thanks.