FROM THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER
(Brooklyn, NY) – State Senator Kevin Parker welcomed Sarodj Bertin, crowned winner of Miss Haiti Universe 2010, to his 21st Senate District, in Flatbush where they toured Fernande Valme Ministries on Friday, April 15, 2011.
The Miss Haiti Universe competition was held in late January 2010, just shortly after the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake that devastated the majority of the Bertin’s birthplace, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. As part of her platform, Bertin vowed to use her celebrity and international exposure to help with rebuilding efforts in her homeland.
“I am commited to assisting Fernande Valme Ministries in their efforts to rebuild the L’Institute Mixte Suze Valme Coeur school in Leogane, Haiti.” said Senator Parker. “It’s a pleasure to meet Miss Haiti Universe and I’m proud to share with her the good work the Ministry does for in my District and in her homeland.” The Ministry was established in 1973 and began serving the Haitian population helping them meet their basic needs and face the challenges of an immigrant life. Located in the heart of the Flatbush community, the Ministry serves as a mainstay for Haitian nationals and the community at large.
With close ties to its native homeland it took the Ministry over a decade to fundraise and build the L’Institute; a two-story school building located outside the city of Leogane, Haiti. Before the school could open its doors it was demolished as a result of the 2010 earthquake. Currently providing nearly 500 students with access to education and medical care, L’Institute Mixte Suze Valme Coeur is operating inside of a shed.
About Senator Parker
Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse community that consists of 311,000 constituents in Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington and Borough Park. His senatorial district has the highest concentration of Haitian nationals outside of Haiti. Senator Parker is the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, former Majority Whip and First Vice Chair or the Association of Black, Puerto Rican Asian Legislators.
