HDI Launches Community Center

On May 18, Haiti Development Institute celebrated the grand opening of the Arcahaie Community Center, coinciding with Haitian Flag Day! Over 190 community members attended an open house to tour the Center’s two classrooms, computer lab, conference room, children’s space, and offices. We also held a ceremony thanking local officials and partners who supported the Center’s establishment.

The Center is a cornerstone of Kolektif Arcadins, a regional development initiative to catalyze economic and social transformation in Haiti’s Arcadins coast that HDI leads. Through capacity strengthening and investment in local institutions, Kolektif’s consortium of eleven international and local partners promotes broad based economic development, civic engagement and community building. HDI is committed to building community ownership of the Center.

While security concerns caused delays in renovation and launch, we persevered and are delighted to have completed construction and assembled a wonderful team. The Center is a significant community asset that will provide a safe environment for learning and skills development for children and young people and a civic space for community groups.

 “This is wonderful milestone for the community and our Kolektif Arcadins initiative, and we look forward to engaging community members with relevant and responsive programming,” HDI’s Executive Director Pierre Noel shared. One of HDI’s Youth Advisory Group members, Mayco Désilus, noted “Kolektif Arcadins will create more opportunities for young people to learn in their hometown. It will give them a chance to make their dreams come true without leaving the city.” 

Special thanks to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for its generous support of the Center, HDI, and Kolektif Arcadins.