ARCF History
Marlene Mathurin, the Founder and President of ARCF returned to Haiti in 1994 from the United States to work with United States Agency for International Development " USAID " in unison with US-Support Group Haiti, J5 Humanitarian Assistance. Aware of Haiti's severe socio-economic situation, and the impact on the children of Haiti, Mdm. Mathurin saw the need to create an organization that would promote and facilitate the welfare of needy children in Haiti. She and a group of concerned individuals rallied under a common purpose to create Foundation Pour La Survie de L'enfant Haitien (FSEH) a non-profit organization to aid the orphanned, and at risk children of Haiti.
This resulted in the beginning of a long and fulfilling journey, for herself and the many other individuals, and organizations who would take on the challenges of development in Haiti. In time these efforts created a future of hope, education, health care, and a lifetime of successes for all those invoved. These endeavors evolved into the founding of At Risk Children Foundation.
How and when it all began
While working with USAID, and through the support of the organization "Foundation for the Survival of Haitien Children" (FSEH), along with US-Support Group-Haiti, Mrs. Mathurin began implementing programs that would be instrumental in creating a thriving environment for orphanned children in Haiti.
1996-1999:
FSEH in partnership with the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR), implemented the Crisis Assistance for 450 expatriate Dominican adults of Haitian descent including 180 children. Temporary housing, food, and clean water were provided. Marketable skills critical to establishing long term self-suffiency were offered to all the adults.
1994-1998
US Support Group Haiti :
ARCF with the assistance of US Support Group Haiti saw the Completion of more than 20 schools/orphanages and rehabilitation projects provided through Charlie's Battalion.
Seeds of Hope Project:
US Corps of Engineers Port-Call Program was made possible.
FSEH/CENH Agricultural Practice Project Semence d'Espoir
"Seeds of Hope"
Food insecurity is a chronic problem in Haiti that has been exacerbated by almost 40 years of political instability and consequent economic deterioration. These factors coupled with natural disasters have Haiti remains the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
WHAT WE DO:
We created a two core programs aim to improve seeds and vegetable crops. These programs provide packets of seeds and "seed know how" - in the Creole language - to small farms families and community groups at Forêt des Pins, and Cap Rouge (rural area in Haiti), in exchange of vegetables for the coalition members institutions who take care of the orphans and the most vulnerable children in Port-au-Prince.
The creation of programs targeted at improving vegetable crops were initiated. These programs provided packets of seeds and skill training to rural farming families in the Foret des Pins, and Cap Rouge areas. This project reduced dependency on food donations.
