SHUP.org - History & Acomplishments

History & Achievements

Early in 1997 a small group of Brockton residents forged a community coalition to help fellow Haitians. This organization is known today as SHUP, South Shore Haitians United for Progress.

There is strength in unity...

Early in 1997 a small group of Brockton residents forged a community coalition to help fellow Haitians in new and unfamiliar surroundings. In 1998, our small group had expanded into a devoted network of people helping people: We became South Shore Haitians United for Progress – two dozen bicultural Haitian-American volunteers providing referral services in the areas of employment, housing, health awareness and advocacy services to Haitian newcomers living and working south of Boston. During the past two years our coalition has further evolved. In 2000 we formally organized our group as a non-profit corporation. The following year SHUP become a 501(c)(3) agency.
A grassroots approach to providing direct service remains SHUP’s greatest strength, and defines our community resource niche. Our fledging organization is part social service agency and part welcoming committee. We are a critical link between the community at-large and the fastest growing linguistic minority. SHUP has worked hard to earn the trust and respect of our clients by meeting their needs. In turn, our agency’s unique ability to connect with the Haitian community has created sustained collaborative relationships.

January, 1998
SHUP supported the passage of Federal Title 18, Part I, Chapter 13, Section 245.1 with The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). Section 245.1 allows individuals in the U.S who are currently out of status but eligible to apply for green cards to adjust their status without leaving the country. Without Section 245.1, consular processing abroad is the only option for certain aliens who are ineligible for adjustment of status in the US.
The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) is the only organization in Massachusetts that brings together groups serving immigrants and refugees from many parts of the world, of various nationalities, races, and ethnicities.
October, 1998
The Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) was signed into law on October 21, 1998. The purpose of this act was for certain nationals of Haiti who have been residing in the United States to become lawful permanent residents of this country. Again the collaboration with MIRA provided as forum for SHUP’s clients to participate effectively.

SHUP assisted applicable Haitians to apply for lawful permanent resident status without having to first apply for an immigrant visa at a United States consulate abroad.

1998 – Throughout the Year
By teaming with Brockton Neighbors United (BNU), SHUP assisted Massachusetts Prevention Center of Brockton in conducting a Community Needs Assessment of Haitian newcomers. The Massachusetts Prevention Centers offer tools to for people to become involved in efforts to promote health and to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse problems, tobacco use, injuries, violence, HIV infection, sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancy, and chronic diseases in their communities.
December, 1999
SHUP recognized what a vital resource Brockton Family and Community Resources in Domestic Violence was to their client community. An on-going collaboration was formed. Brockton Family and Community Resources in Domestic Violence provides free and confidential assistance to persons in abusive relationships and their children.

1999 – Throughout the Year
As a commitment to reducing gun violence, Brockton Police implemented the “Gun Buy Back” Program. This program allows individuals to turn in a gun with no questions asked, receive amnesty from any gun possession charges that might apply, and—as an added incentive—receive payment for each gun. SHUP was instrumental in ensuring the participation by the Haitian community of Brockton.
Also, in conjunction with the Brockton Police, SHUP took part in a radio show on Radio Soleil with Domestic Violence as the topic. Radio Soleil operates in Brockton. Teen hours, game shows, religious programming and cultural critique round out the dynamic mix.
SHUP conducted a Haitian Flag Day at City Hall of Brockton. It was a day of celebration in commemoration of the Haitian flag. The celebration focused on diversity, and patriotism. The event was well attended by Brockton’s Elementary students, city officials, politicians, and families.

October, 2000
SHUP collectively wrote a letter to President Clinton in support of the passage of the Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act. The Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act ("LIFA"), that would help certain immigrants gain residency. This legislation is being characterized incorrectly as a "blanket amnesty." A "blanket amnesty" would provide immigrant visas to an estimated six million undocumented or temporary immigrants in the U.S.

President Clinton responded that his administration will continue to address the fundamental concerns of the American people and will work to move the nation forward.

1998 to 2000 – Covering Three Years
Continuing their partnership, Brockton Neighbors United and SHUP prepared classes for clients at all stages of life to develop their English skills. Citizenship classes were included in the curriculum, towards becoming US citizens, and expand their ability to achieve higher paying jobs.

2000– Throughout the Year
SHUP joined the “Patients First Coalition” comprised of AFSCME Health Professionals and Allied Employees, American Federation of Teachers and District 1115 Services Employees International Union. They, and others were successful in their protests of the closing of the Caritas Good Samaritan Hospital. The hospital still remains open.

During the ‘Census 2000’, SHUP took a lead role in promoting participation in the census to the Haitian community by gathering local businesses to offer their locations as census host sites. Local churches, with predominately Haitian parishioners, were educated about the census. Members of SHUP volunteered to translate the census information into Haitian Creole for those with limited English. SHUP promoted the hiring of Haitians by the Census Bureau.

June, 2001
SHUP brought about the hiring of additional guidance counselor for the East Junior High School, the J. F. Kennedy Elementary School, and other schools where Haitian students are enrolled in Brockton. Additional supplementary bilingual resources are: two classrooms at the Kennedy school, an office for guidance counselor, and possibly a kindergarten class.

July, 2001
In Washington, DC, SHUP meet with Senator Bob Graham, Senator Hilary Clinton, Senator Kerry and other Representatives to call for the funding for new Immigrant Initiatives –
Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends Titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to grant States the option of covering certain categories of eligible women and child resident aliens under the Medicaid and SCHIP programs. The key provisions of the Bill are:

	Restore food stamp eligibility to all legal immigrants.
	Raise the minimum food stamp benefit to $25.
	Improve Food Stamp Program access.

Women Immigrant Safe Harbor Act. 2258 (WISH). WISH would eliminate these restrictions for the following categories of battered legal immigrants.

Lawful permanent residents (LPR), refugees, asylees, and certain other legal immigrants.

"Self-petitioners" under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) (a small number of immigrants are granted lawful permanent resident status to prevent abusive spouses and parents from using the immigration laws to prevent their victims from escaping their situation).

Holders of "U-Visas," who are domestic violence or sex crime victims, certified to be participating in criminal investigations of these crimes

August, 2001
The Haitian flag permanently placed in City Hall Plaza through the efforts of SHUP combined with the Diversity Commission and the Mayor’s Office.

	1998 to 2001 - Covering Four Years SHUP’s participation in the “Better Beginnings’ Program at Brockton Hospital, assisted Haitian mothers to secure health insurance so that they would follow through on all aspects of Prenatal care. Certified childbirth instructors help first time parents prepare for childbirth. This workshop covers such topics as the process of labor, both natural and cesarean, hospital admissions procedures, pain relief options and the role of the support person. Brockton Hospital is Brockton’s primer health care provider. Brockton Hospital is a private, not-for-profit community teaching hospital that serves nearly 400,000 residents in 20 communities in southeastern Massachusetts.
	December, 2001 501(c)(3) agency designation was achieved by SHUP. 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with § 170 of the IRS Code.
	2001 – Throughout the Year SHUP endeavored with the Metro Boston Haitian R.E.A.C.H. 2010, Community Planning Group and H.I.V. Prevention Initiative to increase South Shore participation in the “REACH 2010” and awareness of the Commonwealth’s health programs. REACH 2010 is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) response President Clinton's Race Initiative and Goal for 2010 to eliminate disparities in health status experienced by racial and ethnic minority populations.
	January, 2002 SHUP was awarded A $18,000 grant was awarded to SHUP to administer the “Krik Krak” Program by 21st Century Community Learning Centers Initiative In Brockton, the Program is teaching Haitian culture through story telling to sixth to fifth graders at the Plouffe Elementary School. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program has been reauthorized as Title IV, Part B of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which was signed into law on January 8, 2002, by President Bush. The focus of this program, re-authorized under Title IV, Part B, of the No Child Left Behind Act, is to provide expanded academic enrichment opportunities for children attending low performing schools.

Contact us if you want to know more about our organization.

I am a new resident of the South Shore. Does SHUP assist with immigration issues?

Yes, we provide a huge array of services from pro bono Lawyers, ESL classes and help with Naturalization.