Fundraiser to be held February 4

On February 1, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

Haitian
Film & Video" on Thursday, February 4th from 6:30 – 9:00pm. This
will be broadcast in Somerville on Somerville Community Access
Television (SCAT), as well as in Cambridge on CCTV.

Exploring
the role of media as it relates to Haiti and the local Haitian
community, we will screen excerpts from documentaries like The
Agronomist, Secondhand (Pepe) and Belo's Song of Peace, as well as
samples of video work relating to philanthropic causes and excerpts
from local Haitian TV shows. The following panel discussion will be led
by Charlot Lucien, founder/co-director of the Haitian Artists Assembly
of Massachusetts. Panelists are: Hanna Rose Shell, director of "Second
Hand Pepe" and M.I.T. Assistant Professor; Patrick Sylvain, writer and
educator; and Ronny Dorvil, SCAT producer.

The toll-free number to call for information about family members in Haiti is 1-888-407-4747.

The
City of Somerville has set up the "Haitian Earthquake Relief
Consolidated Gift Account" for monetary donations. Anyone wishing to
donate may write a check, payable to "City of Somerville," with "Haiti
Earthquake Relief" in the memo. They can be mailed to:

Mayor's Office

City Hall

93 Highland Ave.

Somerville, MA 02143

(Please
note, at this time the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has
requested that we do not accept donations of food or clothing. When a
coordinated regional response has been created, more information posted
as soon as it is available.)

Upcoming Event

* The City
of Somerville and the Haitian Coalition of Somerville will partner to
host a "Unity Weekend" to raise funds for the earthquake relief
efforts. More details will be made available at a later time.

Somerville
residents and community members needing computer and/or Internet
service to access websites for the purpose of locating family members
in Haiti, or to contact the International Red Cross or other relief
organizations may visit one of the following sites for free Internet
access:

Somerville City Hall: (Haitian-Creole speaking staff available)

Monday – Thursday, 8:30am – 4:30pm

Friday, 8:30am – 12:30pm

The Somerville Trauma Response Network (TRN) staff are available for support services and grief counseling where needed.

Additional support and mental health services are available through the Somerville Hospital and Cambridge Health Alliance:

Somerville High School, Teen Connection: 617-575-5690. Practice Manager: Barbara Beeghley, RN

Union Square Family Health Center: 617-665-3370. Practice Manager: Kathy Dolley, RN

Somerville Pediatrics: 617-284-7000. Practice Manager: Deb Scannell, RN