The way mainstream media operates, you will usually find that  after the “big” story dies down -and after the flaming headlines have simmered- there is little follow up to the initial newsworthy event. So lately, you will hardly find coverage from the aftermath of the latest cataclysm to affect the Caribbean nation of Haiti. And yet for the millions of Haitians affected by the disastrous earthquake 12thJanuary, 2010, life must go on. And life for most Haitians continue to be challenging -even more so than it was before the earthquake hit. For Caribbean-Americans like me, it is really nice to see that many members of the New York city council are still finding ways to help the Haitian community at large.

Despite the many economic issues facing the polity, the response to the Haitian tragedy refreshes my faith in the intrinsic goodness of humans. With unemployment high, a credit-crunch persisting, job-insecurity stressing near everyone, and the tail end of a deep recession still depressing to most policymakers, it would have been understandable if the response to Haitians and their plight was tepid. Contrary to that understandable expectation however, the outpouring of care and love for the Haitian people continues to amaze and please.    

Last week a note came across the desk at one of my two part-time jobs. It was at the job which has me trolling the city council these days (much more than I ever did before). It shows that the council is still very much at the forefront of the aid effort. I know that Speaker Quinn, her office and staff have been attempting (with tremendous success) to facilitate all the requests coming from members whose districts have large Haitian-American populations. These include the districts of Dr. Mathieu Eugene, Lew Fidler, Jumanee Williams, Darlene Mealy, Tish James and Leroy Comrie.  Even council members whose districts have miniscule Haitian-American populations have offered their hands in solidarity, and have made significant contributions to the overall effort. All in all this is quite commendable. 

And now the New York Legal Assistance Group (a beneficiary of the UJA Federation) has stepped in to team up with some members of the city council, in order to lift up the relief effort another notch. NYLAG is currently offering free legal assistance to Haitian nationals, including help with applications for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) -recently granted by the federal government (INS). 

In their everyday existence, NYLAG is a non-profit law firm dedicated to providing free legal services, to at risk, low-income and disadvantaged New Yorkers. And now, they have included Haitian nationals to the mix. Any Haitian in the USA can receive up to 18 months of this status (TPS), which authorizes them to work here legally without fear of prosecution or deportation. 

The guidelines for receiving protected status show that one must be a national of Haiti, or a person without nationality who last  resided in Haiti; one who has continuously resided in the USA since 12th January, 2010; and/or one who has been present in the USA continuously since 21st January, 2010.

The TPS designation went to into effect on 21st January, 2010, and will remain in effect until the 22nd July 2011. The 180 day registration period given for eligible Haitians to apply, ends on 20th July 2011. If you believe that you may be eligible then contact NYLAG at 1-212-946-0351. You can also e-mail: HaitianTPS @nylag.org. 

Starting on Tuesday 9th February, 2010, New York City council member Darlene Mealy will make the facilities of her Brooklyn office, available to all Haitians ready to apply. NYLAG lawyers will be on hand every Tuesday from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm to service said population. This service will be available indefinitely. Council member Mealy’s district office is situated at 1757 Union Street (2nd floor). This is located right off Utica Avenue. The phone number is 1-718-953-3097. 

Spread the word please. 

Stay tuned-in folks.