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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
NSU Creates Summer Program for Haitian Teens Living in South Florida After Devastating Earthquake
FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – In the weeks that followed the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, South Florida schools braced for an influx of refugee students. Now, with an active hurricane season predicted, it seems even more likely that these students will need to stay.
To continue to acclimate Haitian students to South Florida schools, Nova Southeastern University (NSU), in collaboration with Barry University and funded by the Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade, is helping through a free summer program called Literary Initiative for Empowerment, or L.I.F.E.
Together, the groups have created L.I.F.E. for Haitian teens aged 14 to 17, who live in North Miami, Little Haiti, or North Miami Beach and are enrolled in school with good standing. A major challenge when helping Haitian students acclimate, say many education administrators, is ensuring the refugee students feel safe, loved and secure.
“This is a great opportunity for the students to socialize and prepare for their next school year,” said NSU professor Charlene Desir, Ed.D.
Desir is one of the program’s coordinators and is also a researcher at NSU’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services. Desir has been studying the psychological and social factors that make it difficult for Haitian immigrants to assimilate and adjust to South Florida public schools. Her goal is to better understand and support the academic transition of these students, helping increase their graduation rates.
During the June 14 to July 31 program on the Barry University campus, the students will:
- Participate in expressive, arts-focused activities such as poetry, acting, dancing, music and painting;
- Learn how to get into college;
- Improve their academic and literacy skills;
- Learn how to interpret their life experiences through photography;
- And go on fun trips to locations such as Rapids Water Park, the Adrienne Arsht Center, and the Haitian Heritage Museum.
For more information about L.I.F.E., or to apply please call 954-262-8488, or contact Charlene Desir at cdesir@nova.edu or Pamela D. Hall at phall@mail.barry.edu.
Media Contact:
Andra Liwag, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5309 (office), 954-873-8494 (cell), andrali@nova.edu