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The United Haitian
American Society of Norwalk (UHAS) was founded in November 2001 when
a group of friends from Norwalk met with the mission to elevate the
Haitian American community of Connecticut and to promote the culture
of Haiti throughout our state. On August 3, 2002, UHAS was
recognized on the Heritage Wall in Norwalk by the City of Norwalk,
Mayor Alex Knopp. Supporters of UHAS, most notably, Alan Houston of
the Knicks, the Ambassador of Haiti, Raymond Joseph and other
dignitaries from Haiti were also in attendance at this momentous
event.
As part of its
mission to elevate the Haitian American Community, UHAS in
collaboration with the Norwalk Mayor’s Office, Richard A. Moccia,
and the Haitian Consulate in New York City, established the Haitian
Passport program located in Norwalk City Hall. To date, the
Passport program serves as a model for the tri-state area. This
program has provided passport services to thousands of Haitian
Nationals seeking to obtain passport services in Connecticut. A
representative from the Haitian Consulate, Mr. Felix Augustin’s
office in New York City, travels twice a month to the UHAS Passport
office in Norwalk to assist with this program.
In addition to
UHAS’ efforts to serve the local Haitian and Haitian American
communities in Connecticut, UHAS has extended its reach beyond
Connecticut to Haiti and various parts of the United States. As part
of its humanitarian call to action, in 2006, UHAS held a medical
supply drive whereby pharmaceutical and medical supplies were
donated by various pharmaceutical companies and individuals to help
the victims of the hurricane that hit Haiti. UHAS also held a
food/clothing drive on September 2008 following the four hurricanes
that hit Haiti consecutively that year. In 2010, after a 7.0
devastating earthquake hit Haiti, UHAS heard the call and was one of
the first organizations in Connecticut to organize relief efforts,
establishing the Haiti Relief Fund of Fairfield County
and partnering with other nonprofit agencies to send medical
personnel and supplies to help the victims and survivors of Haiti’s
earthquake.
In addition to
these humanitarian efforts, UHAS has been the leading organization
in promoting Haitian culture. The Connecticut Haitian American Day
Festival/Parade, now in its 8th year is usually held
during the third week of July at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Norwalk.
This past year in 2009, UHAS experienced the largest crowd ever with
over 6,000 participants. UHAS sponsors this annual event, inviting
participants such as professional Haitian bands and performers,
vendors and artists to raise awareness of the beauty and culture of
Haiti.
UHAS is committed
to the Haitian American community in Connecticut and Haiti’s people
throughout the world. It is with this hope and intentional effort
that UHAS will continue to strive for the uplifting and rebuilding
of the Haitian people and its institutions both in Haiti and
throughout the Diaspora. |
