Haiti Project Donation
Dear Friends,
Greetings to you in the name of the Christ child, whose birth we joyfully anticipate in the coming season of Advent. I write this letter to you on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Milwaukee.
We want to take this opportunity to give you an update on the Haiti Project from our diocesan side of things. In January of 2020, the Standing Committee became the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese after the retirement of Bishop Miller. In the six months that we held that position, we took a close look at many of the ministries in our diocese in order to have a better understanding of how we could support the good work that each was doing. In our review of the Haiti Project, we found that this was an opportune time to evaluate how the Haiti Project functions, and in so doing we discerned that we would pause the work of the Haiti Project Steering Committee and employ the help of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, which is an organization that offers consultation and resources for groups who are looking toward change and spiritual growth. We have asked them to come alongside of us and help with some intentional decision-making as we discern what the missional outreach work of the Haiti Project should look like going forward into the future. That work continues and we hope to have some clear plans in the new year.
Though we paused the work of the Steering Committee, rest assured that we have not paused our commitment and support of our brothers and sisters in Jeannette. The Standing Committee has been in close contact with parish priest, Pere Moise and the school, and with Gregory Leger, our liaison at APSHA, a trusted third-party organization that serves as our financial agent in Haiti. The Health Committee continues to communicate closely with the clinic and their physician, Dr. Elie to address the health care needs of those they serve.
And throughout it all, the diocese has continued to send its committed financial support to those partners in Jeannette on a monthly basis. That financial support includes $9000 to the grades 4K-13 school and clinic support staff to be allocated at the discretion of the Priest in Charge, $1240 for Dr. Elie’s salary, and $500 for medical supplies. We also send additional funds that have been authorized or requested when needed.
We know how important the mission of the Haiti Project is to so many here in our dioceses of Milwaukee, Eau Claire and North Dakota, as well as other dioceses across the country, and we especially know how very important this mission is to the people of Jeannette who worship, teach, learn, and seek comfort and healing through the church, school and health clinic that we support.
As we once again enter into this season of giving, we ask that you continue to pray for all of the people of Haiti, especially those whose lives are touched by the work of the Haiti Project, and we hope that you will consider continuing your financial support of the good work of the Haiti Project which began 36 years ago and that we hope will continue far into the future.
Donations can be given online at the diocesan website. Once at the site, click on the red “Giving” button and you will be directed to a page where you will select the Haiti Project as the fund you are donating to. You may also send checks made out to the Haiti Project to the diocesan office address: Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, 804 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
The benefit to the people of Jeannette through the Haiti Project would not be what it is without all the hard work of its volunteers and the financial supporters who have given so much of themselves over the years. It is our prayer and our intention that that support continues on for years to come in ways that will continue the good work of the Kingdom of God with the dear people in Jeannette.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Jana Troutman-Miller
President, Standing Committee of the Diocese of Milwaukee