Over the past three years, more than 1000 Pittsburgh Donors have helped hundreds of Haitian families change their lives.
I'm Ali McMutrie. My sister Jamie and I founded Haitian Families First in 2010 in order to nurture and empower families in despair through emotional, social, and financial support, ensuring children remain with their biological families and out of unnecessary institutions.
I've dedicated the last ten years of my life to living and working in Haiti, helping the most desperate families through difficult times. I've seen fear on the face of a father losing his wife as she gives birth. I've seen fear on the face of a mother who isn't sure how she will cover the cost of sending either of her daughters to school. I've seen fear during one of the most devastating natural disasters. Yet, we press on. Haiti presses on.
We strive to use every donation dollar for programming that will help lift a family from despair. We offer grassroots solutions that provide long-term sustainability to a community. Through education, health & wellness services, and nutritional counseling and assistance, we help Haitian families in need conquer their fears.
The people of Pittsburgh have been so great to us over the years; the city is truly a caring city. Our donors are people who strongly believe that all children should have the opportunity to stay and live with their parents. Can you imagine not living at home with your parents as a child? Can you imagine, as a parent, having to give your child up due to sheer poverty? We can't!
The #AliJumps event might say she is conquering her fear of heights but what she is really conquering is keeping kids out of unnecessary orphanages. That's Ali's true fear!
Are you someone who believes children should have the opportunity to live with their parents? If so, jump in with us as a member of HFF.
Haitian Families First in Action
Junia came to Haitian Families First (HFF) several years ago in a desperate situation. She was ready to place her 6-year-old daughter in an orphanage because she'd lost her job and was unable to care for both children. This caring mother felt hopeless. HFF worked with Junia to find options that would allow her to keep both children, which she desperately wanted to do. We provided Junia with a job in our organization and a steady paycheck, which enabled her to stabilize herself, keep her home, and put both children in school. A year later, while assisting a birthing mother in a hospital, Junia overheard a tragedy. A birthing mother next to her died but the baby boy survived. With no other relative to care for him, the child would have ben sent to an orphanage, or left to die. Strong Junia decided immediately to adopt Jeremie. Her family complete, Junia is a community leader and an employee of HFF who provides assistance to those in a situation that was once all too real for her.
The Impact
Hundreds of families have been impacted by our work in myraid ways. From counseling and discussions of options that will stabilize the family, tutoring and schooling for kids and their parents, to assistance with medical care and treatment, we have proven that helping one child helps an entire family.
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Stabilizing a family protects the integrity of the community.
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Educating a child grows the security of the country.
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Investing in human capital shapes the world.
Other Ways You Can Help
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Now, let's conquer your fear! Join us, today! Sponsor Ali in her Skydive for support!
