UAlbany Contributes More Than $60,000 to Haiti Relief Efforts

 

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 11, 2010) -- The UAlbany Haiti Relief Fund, which includes matching funds donated by University Auxiliary Services (UAS), has raised more than $60,000 to support the relief efforts following the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake that left an estimated 220,000 dead and 1 million homeless. All contributions are being distributed in equal parts to Y�le Haiti, Partners In Health, and the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

"As soon as the first news of the earthquake was reported, the UAlbany community set out to find ways to help. Through support of the relief fund and other efforts, UAlbany students, faculty and staff are helping survivors look to the future and rebuild," said UAlbany President George M. Philip.

In addition to the fund, University at Albany students, faculty and staff have undertaken a number of other support initiatives.

UAlbany track and field athlete Alie Beauvais started a clothing drive that collected thousands of shirts and other items for survivors in Haiti. Chapel House assisted with the clothing drive that delivered more than 250 boxes to the Port of Albany, destined for Haiti. In addition to helping Beauvais and co-coordinator Raphael Jean Baptiste, Chapel House has been working with the Haitian Student Association, Third World Impact, the Educational Opportunities Program at UAlbany and several community partners.

UAS also provided textbook and meal plan support for UAlbany students affected by the tragedy in Haiti. An emergency student relief fund, established by The University at Albany Foundation, provided assistance to UAlbany students, as well.

Loretta Pyles, assistant professor in the School of Social Welfare, is helping to build partnerships and foster joint community-based research on the effects of the devastating earthquake with the University of Fondwa. The university, located in Fondwa -- a small community village in the western department of Haiti -- fills a vital need for post secondary education in the country. Only 35 percent of Haitian secondary school graduates have a chance to pursue higher education. Virtually every building in Fondwa collapsed during the earthquake.

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