An older man and young boy sitting on a step outside a building. The boy has curly hair, is wearing a maroon shirt, beige shorts, maroon socks, and black shoes, holding a bag of snacks. The man has white hair, glasses, a dark shirt, light-colored pants, and tan shoes, with his mouth open as if speaking.

Founder Jim Willey on a visit to Haiti

About us

Help for Haiti was founded by Jim Willey in 2010 in response to the historic earthquake that devastated most of the country. A Christian 501c3, Help for Haiti was created specifically to feed and educate children in northern Haiti, while simultaneously working with local churches to build businesses and create job opportunities for future generations. Help for Haiti utilizes strategic partnerships with organizations that are committed to either feed, educate or employ communities of impoverished people in Haiti. Help for Haiti wants to help stop multi-generational poverty by empowering the people and communities we serve.

  • Scenic view of rolling hills and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
  • Two young boys playing on a dirt path in a rural area with green vegetation and trees in the background.
  • Hilly hillside residential area with houses and lush green trees near a body of water.
  • Mountain landscape with lush green vegetation, winding small road, and cloudy sky
  • A girl wearing a school uniform and carrying a backpack walks on a dirt path in a rural area with greenery and simple structures.
  • A rural scene with a dirt path, a small stone house with a metal roof, and people sitting and walking around. The area is lush with green trees and vegetation, with hills and more trees in the background.
  • Group of women walking outdoors, carrying empty buckets on their heads, on a dirt path with rocks and greenery.
  • A scenic view of green rolling hills and mountains under a cloudy sky.
  • Colorful hillside of tightly packed houses in a mountainous area, with trees and greenery surrounding the buildings.
  • Four children and two women standing outside a rustic shelter with corrugated metal walls and lush green banana leaves overhead. There are two white plastic chairs, one empty, and the children are dressed in school uniforms.

Haiti has a very unique history, in 1791 Haitian slaves staged the first ever slave revolution overtaking French rule declaring their independence in 1801. In the following years, Haiti was threatened with war on multiple occasions and in the interest of keeping their freedom accepted terms that placed a double ransom upon them.  This was devastating to their already new and un-established economy.  Funding for basic economic infrastructure therefore didn’t exist and what little money was available was mishandled by many corrupt rulers leaving the Haitian people in poverty. Additionally, Haiti has suffered from continuous natural disasters most common being earthquakes. 

About Haiti

LEADERSHIP
Help for Haiti; USA

  • An older man with white hair and sunglasses holding a young boy in a red shirt. They are indoors, and both are smiling.

    Jim Willey

    FOUNDER

  • A woman smiling with short braided hair, large artistic earrings, and wearing a white top.

    Johanne Meleance

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • A portrait of a middle-aged man with curly gray hair and a mustache, smiling, wearing a dark blazer over a light blue collared shirt.

    Carl Rubin

    FINANCE DIRECTOR

Help for Haiti Team

A large group of school children and several adults posing for a photo outside in front of a pink building with a flagpole. The children are wearing maroon uniforms and standing among trees and greenery.

  • Johanne Meleance, Executive Director

  • Louisma Breda, Technician

  • Pierre-Mary Brutus, Food Program Manager & Quality Controller

  • Archile Emmanuel, Security Agent

  • Emmanuella Georges, Tuition Assistant Coordinator

  • Herlin Jacquessaint, Programs Liaison

  • André James, Building Supervisor & Security Agent

  • Siline Jean (aka Lili), Custodian

  • Emaus Louis, Lead Fulton Center for Entrepreneurship Coordinator

  • Roody Louis, Director of Entrepreneurship

  • Nancy Marcellus, Director of Finance and Operations

  • Mirlene Jean-Pierre Mergena, Business Coach

  • Garissone Pierre, Business Coach

  • Marcot Vernois, Administrator

  • Pierre Vilienne, Food Program Assistant

  • John Peter Vixamar, OHAEP Coordinator (Marmelade)

Contact Help for Haiti