About Us » Mission Statement & History

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those we serve, especially Haitian Americans, in the metro New York City area by providing access to services, information and education as well as resources toward the goal of self-sufficiency.

Since its inception in 1982, the Haitian Centers Council, better known as HCC, has grown from a small grassroots advocacy agency and evolved to become a multi-service human services organization serving the Haitian and Caribbean communities of New York City and Spring Valley, NY. The starting point was the collective initiative of a group of very concerned Haitians who wanted to help the community and more so, new Haitian immigrants.

At the forefront were community-based organizations like the Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP), Haitian Community Center – Brooklyn Haitian Ralph and Good Shepherd, Inc. (BHRAGS), and the Haitian Neighborhood Service Center (HNSC) as well as the Evangelical Crusade of Fishers of Men and the Charlemagne Peralte Center. This consortium’s vision and common cause formed the Haitian Centers Council, Inc.

Together with the Caribbean community, the Haitian Centers Council passionately addressed the issues of ethnic stereotyping and stigma as well as the social and health policies toward the Haitian/Caribbean communities. One of the biggest issues confronted was access to social and medical services. These services helped ameliorate problems and provided the pathway for individuals and their families to become self-sufficient and productive in their new environment.

In pursuing our mission over the past 24 years, HCC evolved and became a direct service provider. During this time, we designed a wide range of services from literacy, youth development, immigration advocacy and a drug prescription program for seniors to case management, housing placement assistance, congregate supportive housing and domestic violence prevention/education as well as HIV/AIDS prevention programs. We have also a Community Development Initiative sponsored by the NYS Dept. of Health. Today, HCC continues to administer diligently a wide range of services for youth, adults, and senior citizens or anyone who seeks our assistance and services.

HCC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for those we serve, especially Haitian Americans, in the metro New York City area. This is achieved by providing information, access to services and various resources toward the goal of self-sufficiency. Our initiatives and well-designed programs have helped thousands pursue a better life and we shall continue to endeavor to help our community and others.

If you wish a more extensive description of the Haitian Centers Council’s history, please feel free to contact Henry Frank, Executive Director by e-mail at HFrank@hccinc.org.