In the bustling city of Boston, Ernseau Admettre and his family embarked on a perilous journey from Haiti, propelled by the grim realities of rampant poverty and escalating gang violence at home. The search for a glimmer of hope led them to contemplate a daunting trek across multiple countries, including the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Mexico, with their final destination being the United States’ southern frontier.
Once online research introduced him to Boston, Massachusetts became the beacon of hope for Ernseau, 43, his wife Jimene, 36, and their two children, Elionai, 6, and Gabyana, 2 months. Ernseau articulated through an interpreter that the treacherous times in Haiti left them with no choice but to seek a better life elsewhere. “There’s no safety back home, and our needs can’t be met. Escaping Haiti was our only path to survival,” he expressed.
The family’s arrival at Boston International Airport coincided with the onset of winter’s chill. Facing the prospect of homelessness after being ushered out of the airport, Ernseau recounts their fortuitous encounter with volunteers. These individuals, whom he likens to divine messengers, provided the necessary aid in the absence of any relatives in the U.S.
Now, the Admettre family is among eight families who have found refuge in a rectory at the Bethel AME Church situated in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. These families comprise 28 individuals, including 13 children ranging from infants to teenagers. Geralde Gabeau, the executive director of the Immigrant Family Services Institute, which offers support to these families, highlights their communal living, as they share meals, engage in English and computer lessons, and collectively navigate their new environment.
Ernseau, who has secured work authorization, is eager to utilize his background in business administration, computer sciences, and tailoring to provide for his family. His immediate goal is to earn enough to move from the church shelter into their own apartment.
The state of Massachusetts is grappling with a surge in demand for shelter as it reaches capacity in its emergency homeless shelter system, with a limit of 7,500 families reached last month. Over 350 families are currently on a waiting list, hoping to secure a spot. In response, the state has repurposed a former courthouse in Cambridge as an overnight overflow site, which can accommodate up to 70 families with basic necessities. Scott Rice, the director general of Massachusetts Emergency Assistance, assures that this temporary setup will offer eligible families a secure and warm place to rest until they can be placed in a more permanent shelter. Access to this facility is restricted to families who have undergone state assessment and are deemed eligible for emergency aid.
Ernseau Admettre, a 43-year-old from Haiti, embarked on a perilous journey with his family to escape the extreme poverty and gang violence in his homeland. The family’s route to the United States included stops in several countries before reaching Boston, Massachusetts. Upon arrival, the Admettres, including Ernseau’s wife Jimene, their 6-year-old son Elionai, and 2-month-old daughter Gabyana, were assisted by volunteers after being removed from the airport during the winter season.
The family is currently sheltered at a rectory in the Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain, along with seven other families comprising 28 individuals. They share cooking duties and attend English and computer classes together. Ernseau, who has expertise in business administration, computer sciences, and tailoring, has received work authorization and is looking to find employment to support his family’s transition into an apartment.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts is grappling with an increased demand for shelter, having reached a state-imposed limit of 7,500 families in its emergency homeless shelter system. With over 350 families on the waiting list, the state plans to use a former courthouse in Cambridge as an overflow site to provide temporary overnight accommodation for eligible families. The facility will offer a warm and safe place to sleep until a permanent shelter unit becomes available.
Disclaimer: Only the headline and content of this report may have been reworked by Newsearay, staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed. The Article was originally published on Source link
