ABOUT
Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project was founded in 2005 as a youth membership based organization serving English Language Learning (ELL) Haitian immigrant students in New York City ages 14 to 21.
our vision
Our vision is for Haitian immigrant youth to be grounded in their culture, able to build community, and engaged in a fight for equal access to quality education for themselves and all immigrants. We envision a public school system that is equal, compassionate, and inclusive, and where all students, including immigrants, achieve success and reach their full potential.
our mission
Our mission is to transform the lives of Haitian newcomer youth through education and leadership development and to support them in the fight to address immigrant education issues both in the community and citywide.
our culture
Culturally grounded and linguistically relevant, Flanbwayan, connects youth with their new community, provides a safe space, bridges gaps to other community-based organizations and schools, and provides leadership skills to support immigrant youth develop their collective voices.
We derived our name after the Flanbwayan tree, which has fiery red flowers and grows throughout the island of Haiti. The Flanbwayan tree is a symbol of strength, patience and growth – these symbols have served as a guidepost that reflects our organizational purpose in providing a vital resource of support to newly arrived Haitian immigrant youth ages 14 - 21 as they learn how to navigate American institutions from public transportation to public schools.
our history
Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project was founded in 2005 as a youth membership based organization serving English Language Learning (ELL) Haitian immigrant students in New York City ages 14 to 21. We provide the vital cultural and linguistic services that immigrant-serving community-based organizations can offer by enhancing the quality of life of these families in the community through education.
our people
STAFF
Darnell Benoit
Director and Founder
dbenoit@flanbwayan.org
Nancie Adolphe
Program Director
nancie@flanbwayan.org
Shernidane Romelus
Outreach and Event Coordinator
shernidane@flanbwayan.org
Leevencliff Felix
Academic Support Coordinator
felix@flanbwayan.org
Sabrina Senat
Community Outreach
Sabrina@flanbwayan.org
Stephanie St. Fort
Intern
Stephanie@flanbwayan.org
Our Artists
Peniel Guerrier, Choreographer and dancer
Jean Mary Brignol, Drummer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marie Thelusma
Board Chair
Fedia Louis
Secretary
Alfred Toussaint
Member
Christin Bertin
Member
YOUTH
Our youth are newcomer immigrants from Haiti, most of them have been living in New York City for less than five years and are attending high school all over the city.
our support
Brooklyn Community Foundation
Brooklyn Community Foundation (Hope and Healing Fund)
Citizens NYC
Converse
Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse
Councilwoman Rita Joseph
Creatives Rebuild New York
Cricket Island Foundation
Clara Barton High School
Doordash
Harman Family Foundation
Investors Foundation
Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
New York Community Trust
New York Foundation
New York Immigration Coalition
New York State Council on the Arts
NorthstarFund
The Roseben Fund
The Beacon Group
The Department of Education
The New York Women's Foundation
The Office of English Language Learners
The Pinkerton Foundation
The Sociological Initiatives Foundation
The Wellmet Group
Trinity Wall Street
Trinity Wall Street Congregational Council
Twenty First Century Fund
Walt Whitman Middle School
Women's Caucus
Youth Organizing & Culture Change Fund
our location
3116 Clarendon Road
Brooklyn, NY 11226
Hours
Monday–Friday 10am–6pm
Saturday 11am-5pm
Phone
718.774.3037