The YMCAs of Québec is currently raising funds for the YMCA of Haiti Emergency Relief Fund.
The January 12 earthquake left two injured among the staff members and volunteers at the YMCA of Haiti. Two others are still unaccounted for. The Konbit youth centre, the main building where the YMCA runs its programs in Port-au-Prince, was destroyed. The young participants had just enough time to evacuate the building before it crumbled. However, two other youth centres that host YMCA activities were spared, and one of these was immediately made available to those in the community who were left homeless.
The YMCAs of Québec and YMCA Canada, along with the World Alliance of YMCAs, are coordinating their efforts in order to meet the short-term needs of the people of Haiti, while planning the long-term rebuilding and reestablishment of the YMCA of Haiti.
The neighbouring YMCA in the Dominican Republic, with the support of the Latin America and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs, is also collaborating with their government and humanitarian organizations such as the Red Cross, the United Nations, and World Vision, in order to have a team of volunteers in place to provide the earthquake survivors with supplies of water, food, blankets, and medication.
How to donate
Cheques can be made out to The YMCAs of Québec and should include the name and address of the donor. Please specify that the cheque is for the YMCA of Haiti Emergency Relief Fund. A receipt will be issued for income tax purposes.
Donations can also be made through www.canadon.org by clicking on “Make a Donation”. Very important: in the Messages/Instructions field, please write “Aid for the YMCA of Haiti” so that your donation will be used to this end and will also be matched by the federal government.
All donations made by individuals between now and February 12, 2010 will be matched by the Canadian government. For more information about the government’s donation matching program, please visit the CIDA website at: www.cida-acdi.gc.ca
The YMCAs of Québec has a partnership with the YMCA of Haiti and, with the support of CIDA, contributes to the creation of various community aid programs ranging from help with school and HIV/AIDS prevention, to environmental awareness workshops and youth training programs. Over 1000 youths under the age of 30 participate in the activities of the YMCA of Haiti. Visit www.ymcaquebec.org/haiti.
Thank you for your generosity and for your show of solidarity with the people of Haiti.