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Boston’s Haitian Community
The Boston area has the third largest Haitian population in the
United States and is home to an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 Haitians. Haitians first began arriving in the Bay State during the 1950s and have continued to make Massachusetts a prime destination ever since. Boston is favored due to its employment opportunities, quality education system, and safe environment.
The Boston neighborhoods of Mattapan, Dorchester, Hyde Park, and Roxbury have the greatest Haitian concentration, but strong Haitian communities can be found throughout the Boston suburbs including Cambridge and Somerville where particularly large Haitian communities exist.
As Boston’s Haitian community grows, first, second, and third generation Haitians work together to help strengthen their Boston community. The Haitian Coalition is just one of many organizations in the Boston area designed to better the lives of Haitian Americans.
Did you know?
Boston is home to 52 Haitian churches, which act as important spiritual and community centers for Haitians living in Boston.
Boston has 10 Haitian radio broadcasts. Listen online at
www.anselme.homestead.com/radio.html.
Many Boston Haitians work in the health care industry, especially as nurses. Some estimate that up to 75% of all nursing home workers are Haitian. Other popular employment opportunities include working for high-tech companies and being teachers.
Boston is an important city for Haitian and Haitian-American studies. Local universities offer students the opportunity to learn more about Haitian culture. UMass Boston is the founder of the Haitian Studies Association:
www.haitianstudies.umb.edu.
Haitians in the Boston area are becoming increasingly politically active. Important issues include education, economic development, public health, and immigrants’ rights.
Boston has its own Haitian newspaper, the Boston Haitian Reporter. The free paper can be found throughout Boston or online at www.bostonhaitian.com.
The Haitian Coalition is the largest Haitian organization north of the Charles River. Make sure to visit the Coalition online at www.haitian-coalition.org!
Source: www.haiti-usa.org