Marie Carmel Houanche

Marie Carmel Houanche served in the United States Army. A commissioned officer, she was Second Lieutenant and Assistant Chaplain.

Ms. Houanche was a member of the 8th Medical Brigade, Army Nurse Corps. She was assigned to the 344th Combat Support Hospital. Her primary MOS was 66H, secondary 66C treachery 66J. The unit was activated and deployed to Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Faith has guided Ms. Houanche throughout her life and career, resulting in her becoming an ordained pastor. Born in Haiti, she grew up in Paris and eventually immigrated to the United States. Ms. Houanche always had a penchant for learning and attended the Borough of Manhattan Community College, earning an Associate Degree in Nursing, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree from Medgar Evers College. She continued her education at Downstate University with a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration.

Currently, Ms. Houanche is Co-Pastor of L’Eglise Baptiste Des Seraphim and L’Eglise De la Nouvelle Jerusalem. She has served on the executive board committees for the NAACP and NAN, and has worked with several organizations including Haitian Sports Foundation, providing medical, cultural and educational support to the team.

In 2010, she assisted in cleanup efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and founded the Houanche-Wasembeck Foundation. In 2010, as led by and with His vision, she became President and Founder of the Church of God and Christian Children Academy. On May 18, 2010, she started building a Christian center in Haiti to serve the community at large by offering educational, health and wellness resources to both adults and youth. This epic undertaking included a church, an elementary and secondary school, a soup kitchen, an orphanage, a retreat center, and a vocational Bible school.

A staunch advocate and community servant, she is the Vice President of the National Action Network in Valley Stream, New York; Branch Member/Vice President of West Nassau Chapter of the National Action Network; NAACP Health Education Committee Chair of the NAACP; HAPAC of NY; and a member of the American Legion William Clinton Post #342.

Ms. Houanche has lived in Freeport for over 25 years. She is widowed and a proud mother of five adult children.