16281: (Hermantin) Miami Herald-Haitian literacy effort loses funding (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>


Posted on Sat, Aug. 02, 2003

Haitian literacy effort loses funding
BY EVAN S. BENN
ebenn@herald.com

State officials this week cut funding for a popular literacy program offered
through Broward's largest Haitian community center.

A year and a half ago, the state gave Minority Development & Empowerment a
$656,000 contract to run a Creole-to-English adult literacy program for
three years. Now, because of budget constraints, the state is cutting the
contract in September after only two years, said Marvin Dejean, the
nonprofit agency's vice president of community development.

''We understand that all states are feeling the pinch in their budgets,''
Dejean said. ``But this is going to affect this particular community in
Broward County very hard.

``These individuals depend on this program as a major source of their
assimilation.''

Since its inception, the literacy program has taught about 245 Creole
speakers not only how to speak English, but also how to navigate social
systems such as banking, job interviews and getting driving directions, said
Alphonse Piard, Minority Development's director of economic development.

On average, Piard said, people complete the program's four courses -- basic
literacy plus three levels of English -- in about 18 to 20 weeks. The agency
offers daily morning, afternoon and night classes, most of which are full
every day, Dejean said.

The program's funding ends in September, and Piard said he is working to
organize a graduation ceremony for the final students sometime that month.

Dejean said six full- and part-time employees will lose their jobs.

The agency's president and CEO, Francois Leconte, told employees he will try
to find funding to restart program, Piard said.

''Still, to replace the program is going to cost a couple of hundred
thousand dollars, and that kind of money isn't easy to get,'' Piard said.

Dejean said the agency heard from state officials in April that there was a
''good chance'' funding for the program would be cut. The final word came
earlier this week, he said.

''It's disappointing to us here,'' Dejean said. ``This program helped people
understand how this country works, how the system works, and how to get
basic services, which can otherwise be very complicated.''

Minority Development also offers help with immigration, translation, job
placement and housing to Haitian immigrants.

>

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