The Harbor Area Chapter (HAC) of The Links Incorporated has maintained a significant legacy of lasting contributions to the Harbor area community. Several of the Harbor Area Chapter’s initiatives have gained national recognition.

Program Overview

The "Helping Hands 2 Haiti" program under the ITS facet began with an inaugural mission trip to Les Cayes, Haiti in 2013 by four (4) intrepid members of the Harbor Area Chapter (HAC) of The Links Incorporated. Once there, our members were adamantly determined and dedicated to independently return to Les Cayes in order to sustain our efforts to support the struggling community and families in Les Cayes, Haiti. The HAC/ITS facet annual visit to Les Cayes, Haiti has resulted in nine (9) water wells installed in the most strategic areas to ensure children, youth, families and community members have access to clean water. These wells are essential in the fight to systemically combat water contamination from human waste and water borne diseases. Our priorities include the support and sustainability of the following: water, food, clothing, medical supplies and health care, education and employment. As a result of our annual visits, the HAC, ITS members and volunteers are able to establish reciprocal, respectful reliable relationships with the Les Cayes families and community members. These relationships enable us to assess our ongoing efforts and assess the needs of the community in order to plan for future relevant and authentic activities. Each visit culminates with plans on how to develop subsequent visits to accomplish our future goals.

Some of the activities we have been able to implement are through this work are:

Installation, repair and maintenance of nine (9) water wells provided by the Harbor Area Chapter of The Links Incorporated "Helping Hands 2 Haiti" and the "Friends of Helping Hands 2 Haiti"
Annual distribution of red beans and rice to Camp Perrin students' families and community members
Distributed sets of school uniforms for 320 students, shoes for family members, articles of clothing
Conducted a walk in medical clinic, dispensed prescribed medication, held a Health Fair at multiple locations with designated stations: blood pressure, diabetes screening staffed by our HAC member physicians
Provided the annual salary for one (1) nurse's aide to periodically visit and treat patients Les Cayes area.
Provided medical supplies for immunizations of all school age children
Supplied six (6) micro loans for community members in order to start and expand small businesses
Purchased and provided monetary support to women entrepreneurs (embroidery and jewelry)
Provided annual salaries of teachers, staff members at a cost of $600 a month.
Provided the annual rent for a formerly homeless family and tuition fees for their two (2) daughters
Organized coordination before during and after each visit with Camp Perrin staff members and community members who serve as translators, administrator, water well vendor, drivers, program coordinators
Coordinated and facilitated the annual STEM conference at BTI University, Haiti. Topics included, solar energy, hydroponics, food preservation, product development technology, solar energy
Planted a sustainable vegetable garden on the property of Business Technical Institute (BTI).
Delivered 3 Dell Computers
Supported local entrepreneurship, and local small businesses.
Annually collected packed and delivered approximately 30 suitcases (hygiene products, notebooks, oral hygiene, medications of supplies) clinic per visit
Conducted one oral hygienic clinic per visit
Successful recruitment of 8-16 HAC members, volunteers per visit to Haiti.
Replacement of the Camp Perrin School's roof in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.
Painting of the Camp Perrin School
HAC members, partners, nearby Western Area Links chapters donate clothing, hygiene products