Dear Friends,

    Please help us promote Youth and Family Enrichment Services' (YOFES) annual celebration of Haitian Flag Day this coming May 14, 2011 at the English High School Auditorium from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.The Haitian struggle for liberation from slavery is one piece of history that should be taught to allchildren due to its universal impact. In Haiti , Flag Day used to be an event for school-age youth, through which they learned the history of their country and valuable civic lessons. This tradition may be of more importance today, as the country has suffered many setbacks that may negatively impact how children view their parents’ country and themselves.

    This year, alongside the wonderful young talents of YOFES/OAMEC (our music school), we have invited many great artists from our community to help enhance our event through songs, poetry, colorful and inspiring artworks. We invite you and your friends and relatives to join, and sing along with our children in order to cultivate in them a deep love for Haiti, and full acceptance of their ethnic heritage, both of which are so important for their self-esteem, their character and continuous progress. Bring your friends, parents, and grandparents. 

Summer Opportunity

Open Access to Music Education for Children (OAMEC)

Wonderful summer opportunity for all children who have completed the first Suzuki book before July 1^st and have shown interest in teaching other kids.

They will be given an opportunity to assist a music teacher during the summer.  The student will receive a stipend for being an assistant teacher and will receive a certificate.

Other criteria include:

1. Being responsible, accountable
2. Being always on time. 
3. Willing to face challenges and to learn

We are now asking you to share with your child this wonderful opportunity and see if he/she shows interest.  Note that age does not really matter; as long as the child can help a student identify a key, play a tune etc... The teacher will always be in the class, the student leader will only be there to support the teacher.

Once we identify the students, we will have a special training for them to prepare them for their tasks.  We ask you as parents to start the conversation with your child and then to share with us whether or not your child is interested.

Keep up the good work!

Though The Earth Shook

The Youth and Family Enrichment Services (YOFES), in collaboration with the Haitian Mental Health Network and The New England Human Rights Organization, will hold a memorial service on Sunday January 9, 2011 at the Strand Theatre located at 543 Columbia Road, in Dorchester. Our goal is to create a time and space for the community to reflect on and heal from this traumatic event. We are hoping to bring together Haitian individuals and families from the Greater Boston area, along with all those who stood with us in support in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy.

This year has doubtlessly been a stressful one for Haitians everywhere. The new exigencies  created by the earthquake, forced aside the intense grief and need for emotional self-care, as we sprung to action to offer help in any way we could. The anniversary presents a new opportunity at the communal and personal levels to revisit the profound and multiple losses of loved ones, of meaning and of motherland. 

The youth-led service will consist primarily of music, prayers, readings, hymns.