Having an EYE For Haiti - Event & Fundraiser
Diane Placide, LPC therapist and founder of Empower Young Excellence (EYE), is deeply passionate about addressing mental health issues, particularly among children in Haiti, her home country. Recognizing the importance of access to not only educational resources but emotional resilience in promoting mental wellness, Diane envisioned organizing a mental health book drive to provide valuable support to empower the children of Haiti. Afterward, the leadership team members and any interested advocates set to travel to Haiti to personally deliver the collected books and resources.
Objectives:
Raise awareness about mental health issues and the importance of early intervention, education, and cultural representation.
Collect and donate mental health-related books and resources to children in Haiti to support their mental wellness and positive identity alignment.
Strengthen EYE's mission of empowering young people to achieve their full potential by addressing mental health challenges and promoting resilience and well-being.
Strategies:
Together, we developed a comprehensive strategy to promote the event and encourage participation from the community. Strategies included:
Event brand development: Including event title, imagery, messaging, pre-event marketing, on-site signage, and post-event maintenance.
Launching an email and social media campaign to raise awareness about the book drive and its importance in supporting children's mental health in Haiti.
Partnering with local advocates, authors, mental health professionals, and like-missioned international non-profit, Books for Earth, to serve as collection points for book donations and amplify our messaging.
Hosting a celebratory fundraising and (book)raising event with the action of KAUSE’s sponsorship outreach/management.
Outcomes:
The "EYE for Haiti" Mental Health Book Drive exceeded expectations, garnering widespread support and engagement from the community. Through the collective efforts of EYE, Books for Earth, KAUSE, volunteers, and supporters, the event achieved the following outcomes:
Collected more than 200 mental health-related books and resources for children in Haiti, including books on emotional resilience, coping skills, and self-esteem.
Raised awareness about mental health issues and the importance of early intervention in positive identity affirmations.
Strengthened partnerships and collaboration between EYE, Books for Earth, KAUSE, and local organizations committed to promoting mental wellness and educational development.
Provided valuable resources and support to children in Haiti, empowering them to better understand and manage their mental health and well-being.
Conclusion:
The "EYE for Haiti" Mental Health Book Drive exemplified the power of collaboration and community engagement in addressing mental health challenges and promoting well-being. Through Diane's vision and leadership, supported by KAUSE and dedicated volunteers, EYE successfully organized a meaningful event that made a positive impact on the lives of children in Haiti. By raising awareness, collecting valuable resources, and fostering collaboration, EYE continues to fulfill its mission of empowering young people to achieve their full potential and thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
Special Thanks to CK Foundation, Books for Earth, The Yard DC, and Distant Relatives.
NOTE: Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team’s delivery trip to Haiti was canceled. The collected books and resources were shipped to the partner organizations and schools located in Haiti.