Overview:
Barely one year into its founding, the Haitian Community Help & Support Center in Springfield, Ohio is expanding its services and facilities to better serve the community targeted during the 2024 presidential race with false claims.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — On a cold and rainy Thursday afternoon this month, the Haitian Community Help and Support Center seemed unusually quiet for a group that has served thousands over its short existence. The chairs were vacant, and the hallways were silent, inside the squat building that also houses a church and event space.
But arranged along the floor, on tables and in boxes were donated items, such as much-needed coats and warm clothes, ready to be distributed. Affixed to the walls were messages handwritten on paper in bright crayons, also brimming with warmth in their messages.
“We are here for you,”
“You are welcome here,”
“Happy you’re with us.”
Within minutes, a phone rang in an inner room, and someone picked it up. It would ring incessantly, with at least 20 calls coming in during a 2-hour span. Email notifications would ping constantly on the staff’s computers, signaling a never-ending flow of inquiries and requests.
Turns out that the quiet moment was simply the calm before the next wave of calls, emails, and few visitors needing help arrived. This is not unlike the center itself, which was founded quietly a year ago, just before its community was thrust into America’s national debate on immigration, and is now preparing itself unassumingly for the incoming Trump Administration.
“We’ve come a long way in a short amount of time,” Vilès Dorsainvil, the center’s executive director, said in an interview that day.
“What started as a vision is now a reality that’s making a tangible impact,” he added. “But the work ahead is even more important, especially with the uncertainty surrounding immigration policies.”
On Dec. 12, the center celebrated its first anniversary, a year filled with navigating challenges, chiefly the false claims that targeted the town’s Haitians during the presidential race. The center’s celebration shared on the center’s Facebook page, highlighted the progress made in just one year, including the acquisition of a former city fire station to serve as the center’s new headquarters at 735 West Pleasant Street.
The move, planned for February after renovations are completed, aims to increase the center’s capacity to provide more programs, such as legal services, and foster community-building activities. It also coincides with changes expected to immigration policy, with the incoming Trump administration’s pledges of mass deportations and end to TPS for Haitians causes widespread anxiety.
“Some Haitians are even leaving Springfield because they’re scared,” Aime explains. “But the truth is, many of us are here legally, with TPS. We’re not here to cause trouble—we’re here to work hard and contribute to our community.”
A ‘blessing’ in a fraught landscape
Founded by Dorsainvil, Lindsay Aimé and Reginald Silancieu, the Haitian Community Help and Support Center aimed to be a resource for Springfield’s growing Haitian community to get help with essential services. It has since become an indispensable lifeline for the city’s Haitian newcomers, serving an estimated 20,000 at its peak, when the politically-motivated lies about them drove increased demand for services.
Support for immigration — in particular TPS, a program designed to offer temporary protection to immigrants from countries facing crises, is the most common ask. Its volunteers help people navigate questions about asylum, and exploring other legal avenues so the Haitians has the knowledge and resources to protect themselves
Garthia Joseph Chemaly, a Springfield newcomer, recently shared her experience with the center in a video call with The Haitian Times.
“For two years, I struggled with my immigration papers and didn’t know where to turn,” said Chemaly, who works as outreach coordinator for a mission. “I didn’t have anyone to help me, and I didn’t have legal documents. But now, I can proudly say I have my papers and can work.”
“They communicated clearly with USCIS on my behalf and did everything possible to help me,” she said, referring to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.
“The best part is that all of this support is free,” Chemaly said. “No matter where you are in Springfield, you can reach out to the community center, and they will be there for you—it’s been a real blessing.”
Leevenclif Veillard, a factory worker who turned to the center for help with his TPS application, was similarly grateful.
“The center has been a true blessing,” he said. “They helped me find work, assisted with my TPS paperwork, and even helped us with housing. It’s a place where we feel understood and supported.”
While the center’s legal advocacy is a cornerstone of its work, it also provides emergency assistance for victims of domestic violence, mental health support, housing referrals, and other services. Collections of food and clothing for distribution are also common to help meet basic needs.
One such case involved a Haitian woman and her child, living in a shelter, who turned to the center for help.
“We were able to secure stable housing and healthcare for them,” Aimé recalls. “It’s not just about paperwork; it’s about supporting families through real-life challenges.”
People facing medical or workplace issues have also reached out. Recently, a factory worker was severely injured in an explosion, and the center is helping him secure legal representation. In another case, a man found wandering on a highway was reunited with his family, thanks to the center’s outreach.
Even those not personally connected to the center acknowledged its importance to others.
M.J., a decades-long Haitian resident and Trump voter, said he did not know much about the center since he and his family had navigated life in Springfield without outside help.
“But, I hear they’re doing work for newcomers, which is fine,” he said. “If it helps protect Haitians, then it’s a good thing.”
Building up strength to face new challenges
As the Haitian community has grown in Springfield, so too has the center’s role in fostering collaboration with local organizations, government agencies and other community groups. These partnerships help ensure that Haitian families have access to a comprehensive network of support services, from healthcare and housing to legal assistance and job placement.
“We’re proud of the partnerships we’ve built with local sister organizations and officials,” Dorsainvil said. “By working together, we can amplify the support available to our community.”
As Springfield’s Haitian community continues to evolve, the center is committed to ensuring it has the resources and support to thrive, even under a Trump administration.
“We’ve built something special here,” Aimé said.
“Springfield is a place where Haitians are not just surviving, they’re thriving,” he added. “And we will continue to make sure that the community has what it needs to succeed, no matter what challenges the future holds.”
