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Haiti Outreach Ministry

ABOUT US

The Haiti Outreach Ministry is grounded in interpersonal relationships. SMM parishioners make four trips each year to Haiti to meet with our Haitian partners, recognizing that relationship is the soul of mission work. The SMM approach begins with meeting Haitian parishioners to determine if our philosophy matches their hopes and aspirations.

Our Philosophy:

“You can do it; we can help.”

Then we spend time building the partnership, learning their needs, their strengths, their assets and their ideas for improvements. Together we set priorities. Back in Winter Park our working groups take on the challenges of raising money, searching out methods and partners to meet the needs, and brainstorming ways to make the projects sustainable. At the same time, parishioners in Haiti are organizing into committees which will own and run the various initiatives. Gradually projects are funded; then managed and run by the parishioners themselves. Finally all projects are evaluated.

Keys to Success

Interpersonal Relationships — parishioners learn to know and trust each other.

Sustainability — the project must be able to go forward on its own without further help from outside.

Transparency and Accountability — all monies are given in the open, with full knowledge of the committees and parishioners. Funds are totally accounted for and spent on the purpose for which they are intended.

Mission Statement

The people of St. Margaret Mary Community will fulfill the Gospel’s call to solidarity by enhancing the quality and enjoyment of life for our brothers and sisters in Haiti through assisting them to meet their needs in a sustainable and transparent manner.