The leader of a Haitian community organization in Reynoldsburg would like to see more support from elected leaders. This comes after repeated false accusations aimed at Haitian immigrants in Springfield.
Marc Fequiere, Director of the Haitian Community Network, says about 30,000 legal Haitian immigrants live in central Ohio. He wants more services to improve the transition to their new country.
“There's a lot of issues with the community and they're waiting for the leadership to step up,” said Fequiere. “So I think talking to the community, coming up with good programs that can help them be integrated into the community will help.”
The Haitian Community Network began in 2019, when thousands of Haitian immigrants came to central Ohio, months before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
“We have two ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, one on the east side, one on the north side,” said Fequiere. “We also do a lot of translation and interpretation services for the community. When they go to doctors' appointments, we go with them or we’re on the phone with them. We help them apply for employment. We are like the bridge really that connects them with all kind of resources that they need in Columbus.”
After the pandemic shut down tens of thousands of businesses, another group of Haitians moved from Florida to Ohio, as well as surrounding states.
“People are coming here because they want to have a better life,” said Fequiere. “But at the same time, they are contributing to the economy, so they need to feel safe. They need to hear from our current leaders and our future leaders. What exactly are they going to do to address all the issues, all the discrimination, all the threats that the immigrants are facing in this country.”
In September, Gov. Mike DeWine dispatched state troopers and bomb sniffing dogs to Springfield to be stationed at schools following multiple threats. He also directed $2.5 million to expand healthcare access in the area and other supportive services.
Most Haitian immigrants in central Ohio live on the northeast side of Columbus around the Linden area. Others live on the east side of the city in Whitehall or Reynoldsburg communities.
Some Haitians are thinking about leaving because of the threats. Fequiere says their children are afraid to go to school.
“Even the churches are afraid to have services because they don't feel like the city or the authorities or even the police are on their side,” said Fequiere. “It's a very sad situation. The fact that they're not really talking to the community makes it hard for the community to understand where those leaders really stand on those issues.”
