Haiti Youth Mentor Program
$150/month = 1 Youth Developed into a Key Leader of Haiti’s Future
The purpose of this program is to mentor 8-10 male youth age 12-18 that do not have stable family who are able sustain them keeping them off the streets in the Port-au-Prince area of Haiti. The purpose of the program is to meet their basic physical, mental, and spiritual needs while developing young men of character who will provide leadership in their country of Haiti.
Program Details:
The basic needs such as food, water, housing & clothing of the boys are provided for as well as additional development areas that will ensure the overall character sought for the participants is reached.
These include:
- A caring and nurturing program director who oversees the spirit of the program, support staff, daily structure, and mentoring of the boys.
- Schooling: Education of the youth that meets the national educational requirements preparing them for a university experience. This includes securing the needed resources (i.e. books, pencils, clothing, etc.) to assure this happens.
- Biblical Foundations: Life teaching founded in solid Biblical principles is taught by a pre-qualified teacher. This includes a regular curriculum that is provided and followed.
- Character Training and Mentoring: Christ-centered character development is the foundation for the future of these youth’s lives and is a key element of this program. Character development is woven into the Bible foundations teaching, but actual living it out is coached as well. Proper relational character is a key element of this training. Curriculum is provided for this area.
- Life Skills training and Mentoring: Personal hygiene, food preparation and clean up, clothing care, and school and study habits are a few of the areas developed with the youth in an ongoing basis.
- Vocational training and business development is provided.
- A caring and encouraging environment that teaches self-respect, respect of others, and honors God.
Funding and Administration:
Funding is through the donations of churches, schools, businesses, interest groups and individuals in the U.S. This program, including its funding, is overseen by International Youth Initiative. This cost of this program is $150 per youth per month or $1500 month total.
Meet the Youth
Jerry Pierre
Age: 17 Born: June 28, 1993
Hometown: Delmas, Haiti
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Prior to the Earthquake on January 12, 2010, Jerry and his brother Stanley lived most of their days as street kids near Delmas, Haiti. Though Jerry knows both of his parents, the poverty of Haiti forced Jerry and his brother to take to the streets as their family was unable to support them with food, school, and other necessities. After the quake Jerry came under the care of International Youth Initiative (IYI) and has since been able to continue his education while living at IYI’s Center of Hope. Jerry loves to cook, play soccer, and is always trying to learn more English. He also speaks great French. When not playing sports or studying Jerry can often be heard singing along with his brother Stanley or spending time with other boys laughing and playing dominos; a favorite game of his.
Stanley Pierre
Age: 18 Born: Nov 22, 1992
Hometown: Delmas, Haiti
Partner Now
Prior to the Earthquake on January 12, 2010, Stanley and his brother Jerry lived most of their days as street kids near Delmas, Haiti. Though Stanley knows both of his parents, the poverty of Haiti forced Stanley and his brother to take to the streets as their family was unable to support them with food, school, and other necessities. After the quake Stanley came under the care of International Youth Initiative (IYI) and has since been able to continue his education while living at IYI’s Center of Hope. When not at school, practicing English, or playing soccer, Stanley can usually be found singing, drumming, humming, or doing anything that involves music. Among his many dreams Stanley hopes to one day be able to visit California and learn the ins and outs of music production. He plays drums for his church and travels and an hour and half, one way, four times a week to practice and play in the service.
L’ouidieu Mathieu
Age: 16 Born: May 2, 1994
Hometown: Croix des Bouquets, Haiti
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Before the earthquake of January 12, 2010, L’ouidieu lived with his parents in Croix des Bouquet. Though L’ouidieu still sees his parents regularly, by living at the International Youth Initiave’s (IYI) Center of Hope, he is able to get the skills and mentorship he needs to continue to develop as a future leader amongst his peers. Since being at the Center of Hope, L’ouidieu has been supplied with the means by which he has started his own business repairing bicycles. With his handyman skills he hopes to one day create custom furniture for a living. When not tinkering with bikes, doing chores at the center, or going to school, L’ouidieu can be found riding his bike, playing basketball, showing an avid love for technology, and exhibiting a keen interest in tree climbing.
L’union Felix
Age: 15 Born: Feb 15, 1996
Hometown: La Romana, Dominican Republic
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L’union was in school when the earthquake hit Haiti on January 12, 2010. During the quake’s aftermath L’union traveled to the Dominican Republic to be with his father. However, given the choice, L’union chose to return to an earthquake torn Haiti to be nearer to his mother and younger brother. When his mother was left with no means by which to support L’union he moved in with International Youth Initiative (IYI) at the Center of Hope where he is now able to attend school and be mentored on a daily basis while still being able to visit his mother and brother. Because he was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up there during his younger years, L’union speaks Spanish in addition to Creole, some French, and learning English. In addition to becoming versed in four languages, L’union loves to play basketball, dance, and is an expert when it comes to the card game Go Fish… seriously, you’ve never seen someone play Go Fish so intensely.
Jackson Louis
Age: 20 Born: June 5, 1990
Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Partner Now
While Jackson has never known his father he was raised by a mother who loves him very much. However, due to the extreme poverty in Haiti on top of the earthquake on January 12, 2010, Jackson’s mother was unable to continue caring for him properly. Luckily International Youth Initiative (IYI) came into contact with Jackson shortly after the quake and Jackson was able to move to the Center of Hope as part of IYI’s character development program. He has since been attending school, learning English, and growing as a young man. Jackson has an avid love for learning English. He also loves to play basketball and says his favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers. He also has quite the entrepreneurial spirit and hopes to one day own his own store in Haiti.
Jerry Pierre
Age: 17 Born: June 28, 1993
Hometown: Delmas, Haiti
Partner Now
Prior to the Earthquake on January 12, 2010, Jerry and his brother Stanley lived most of their days as street kids near Delmas, Haiti. Though Jerry knows both of his parents, the poverty of Haiti forced Jerry and his brother to take to the streets as their family was unable to support them with food, school, and other necessities. After the quake Jerry came under the care of International Youth Initiative (IYI) and has since been able to continue his education while living at IYI’s Center of Hope. Jerry loves to cook, play soccer, and is always trying to learn more English. He also speaks great French. When not playing sports or studying Jerry can often be heard singing along with his brother Stanley or spending time with other boys laughing and playing dominos; a favorite game of his.
Stanley Pierre
Age: 18 Born: Nov 22, 1992
Hometown: Delmas, Haiti
Partner Now
Prior to the Earthquake on January 12, 2010, Stanley and his brother Jerry lived most of their days as street kids near Delmas, Haiti. Though Stanley knows both of his parents, the poverty of Haiti forced Stanley and his brother to take to the streets as their family was unable to support them with food, school, and other necessities. After the quake Stanley came under the care of International Youth Initiative (IYI) and has since been able to continue his education while living at IYI’s Center of Hope. When not at school, practicing English, or playing soccer, Stanley can usually be found singing, drumming, humming, or doing anything that involves music. Among his many dreams Stanley hopes to one day be able to visit California and learn the ins and outs of music production. He plays drums for his church and travels and an hour and half, one way, four times a week to practice and play in the service.
L’ouidieu Mathieu
Age: 16 Born: May 2, 1994
Hometown: Croix des Bouquets, Haiti
Partner Now
Before the earthquake of January 12, 2010, L’ouidieu lived with his parents in Croix des Bouquet. Though L’ouidieu still sees his parents regularly, by living at the International Youth Initiave’s (IYI) Center of Hope, he is able to get the skills and mentorship he needs to continue to develop as a future leader amongst his peers. Since being at the Center of Hope, L’ouidieu has been supplied with the means by which he has started his own business repairing bicycles. With his handyman skills he hopes to one day create custom furniture for a living. When not tinkering with bikes, doing chores at the center, or going to school, L’ouidieu can be found riding his bike, playing basketball, showing an avid love for technology, and exhibiting a keen interest in tree climbing.
L’union Felix
Age: 15 Born: Feb 15, 1996
Hometown: La Romana, Dominican Republic
Partner Now
L’union was in school when the earthquake hit Haiti on January 12, 2010. During the quake’s aftermath L’union traveled to the Dominican Republic to be with his father. However, given the choice, L’union chose to return to an earthquake torn Haiti to be nearer to his mother and younger brother. When his mother was left with no means by which to support L’union he moved in with International Youth Initiative (IYI) at the Center of Hope where he is now able to attend school and be mentored on a daily basis while still being able to visit his mother and brother. Because he was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up there during his younger years, L’union speaks Spanish in addition to Creole, some French, and learning English. In addition to becoming versed in four languages, L’union loves to play basketball, dance, and is an expert when it comes to the card game Go Fish… seriously, you’ve never seen someone play Go Fish so intensely.
Jackson Louis
Age: 20 Born: June 5, 1990
Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Partner Now
While Jackson has never known his father he was raised by a mother who loves him very much. However, due to the extreme poverty in Haiti on top of the earthquake on January 12, 2010, Jackson’s mother was unable to continue caring for him properly. Luckily International Youth Initiative (IYI) came into contact with Jackson shortly after the quake and Jackson was able to move to the Center of Hope as part of IYI’s character development program. He has since been attending school, learning English, and growing as a young man. Jackson has an avid love for learning English. He also loves to play basketball and says his favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers. He also has quite the entrepreneurial spirit and hopes to one day own his own store in Haiti.
