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Today, United Way of Miami-Dade announced a second round of grants totaling $125,000 in response to the crisis in Haiti.   Funding for $100,000 of these grants, which went to four non-profits providing emergency relief in Haiti, came through Operation Helping Hands, a joint disaster relief fund created by United Way of Miami-Dade, The Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald, Univision 23 and Univision Radio.

The Operation Helping Hands grants will be used to provide critically needed emergency supplies to people in Haiti.  The organizations receiving the grants are World Vision, University of Miami’s Project Medishare, Food for the Poor and the Pan American Development Foundation.

In addition, United Way made a $25,000 grant from its contingency fund to Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center to assist Haitians living in Miami-Dade County without legal status apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

“We are pleased to be able to continue making grants on behalf of hundreds of individuals and organizations who made donations to help the people of Haiti,” Harve A. Mogul, president and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade, said. “We continue to work with organizations that have a long and successful history of working with the Haitian people, have on-the-ground experience in disaster relief and legal aid and are effective and accountable.”

“It's gratifying to see how this community has responded to the urgency of Haiti's need.   We're glad that our assistance will have such an immediate impact," said David Landsberg, publisher of The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald.

Following is a description of the services being provided by each organization as well as the amount of each grant:
 
World Vision has been operating programs in Haiti for more than 30 years.  A $30,000 grant will be used to provide individuals and families with 30-day supply of food, water and other essentials for life in a tent situation.  World Vision has a network of 25 distribution sites in the affected areas of Haiti.

University of Miami’s Project Medishare has been working in Haiti since 1995, providing medical care and community development assistance in the country.  A $40,000 grant will continue to fund medical supplies and medical care.

Food for the Poor is an interdenominational ministry that not only provides food assistance, but also builds small houses, digs water wells, provides medicine and medical equipment for the sick and elderly, and supports orphanages and education for children in numerous countries around the world.  This agency has worked in Haiti for years and has a strong distribution network among churches in the country.  A $15,000 grant will be used to transport and deliver urgently needed water, rice and canned food. 

Pan American Development Foundation has a disaster expert team in Port-au-Prince and is sending additional experts from the Dominican Republic to assist in the relief efforts. A $15,000 grant will be used for shelter kits which include tents, water purification tables, blankets, hygiene kits, etc.
Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC) has been working with Haitian immigrants since opening its doors in 1996.  The $25,000 grant will go to support FIAC’s work in eligible Haitians obtains TPS which includes TPS drives, legal representation, trainings and outreach among other services.

United Way and The Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald activated Operation Helping Hands immediately following the January 12 earthquake in Haiti.  100% of funds raised through Operation Helping Hands will go to support relief and recovery efforts in Haiti.  Monetary donations made to Operation Helping Hands will go directly to help the people of Haiti through non-profit organizations working on the ground.

To make a donation:
- log on to www.iwant2help.org
- send a check payable to Operation Helping Hands, c/o United Way of Miami-Dade, P.O. Box # 459007, Miami, Florida 33245-9007.
- call 1-800-226-3320
 
Operation Helping Hands was created in 1998 in the aftermath of devastating hurricanes Mitch and Georges, and has been reactivated several times since to help Floridians extend a helping hand to help those involved in emergency situations.