Photo by Kacie Fuselier

SJA Reaches out to Haitian Earthquake Survivors

St. Joseph’s Academy students, faculty and staff donated money during the week of January 18-22 to assist with earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. The fundraising drive collected $1,474.30.

“Our threads will continue to be connected as we work through ideas of how we can help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.” Tori McRoberts, campus minister

The first $300 collected will be given to a Haitian man studying in New Orleans so he can return home to search for missing family members and help lead his Catholic Church parish. The remaining $1,100-plus dollars will be given to Jesuit Refugee Services to help with the immediate needs of food, water and healthcare.

“Reaching out to the dear neighbor in the world community is what our girls understand,” said SJA Principal Linda Fryoux Harvison. “Their response shows their desire to connect the sacred threads.”

In the hours following the 7.0 magnitude quake, which struck on January 12 and left 3 million people in need of emergency aid, SJA students, faculty and staff sent emails to members of the administration, offering suggestions for ways to help.

“I was literally bombarded by tons of great ideas from the students,” said Assistant Principal of Activities Stacia Andricain. “We decided to get a collection going as quickly as possible and began taking monetary donations that we will send in the name of SJA students, faculty and staff. It is so great to see that our girls are willing to initiate these efforts, rather than just throwing around ideas. Our focus will be to continue to find ways to help the people of Haiti after the initial shock wears off. They will need money, medical supplies, food and more in the months to come, and we will be ready to help.”

Campus Minister Tori McRoberts called the collection drive “an immediate response to the situation.” Relief efforts, she said, will be ongoing. “Dozens of students have been brainstorming ideas about how we can help, not only through this drive, but throughout the semester to continue supporting the recovery process,” she said. “Our threads will continue to be connected as we work through ideas of how we can help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.”


Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director