Jan. 12 memorial event at RCC rescheduled to Jan. 16

UPDATE: Due to the snow emergency in Boston, this event has been rescheduled to Sunday, Jan. 16 at 4 p.m.

A coalition of Haitian-American organizations from across eastern Massachusetts have joined forces to plan a memorial event to mark the one year anniversary of the Jan. 12 earthquake. The event will be held from 4-9 p.m. at Roxbury Community College. The event will include a one-hour memorial service, displays by NGOs working in Haiti and mental health counselors.

Carline Desire, executive director of the Association of Haitian Women in Boston (AFAB), is one of the event organizers.

"It's important for folks to know that the Haitian community has been very grateful for all of the support and words of encouragement," said Desire. "2010 was incredibly difficult for us but it's been so helpful to know that the people of Boston and Massachusetts are with us. January 12th will be a special day to remember what happened with all of the loss of life, but it's also a day to reflect on a key action that we can all take."

Desire says that the event at RCC's Media Center will feature displays on the work of various Boston-based organizations working in Haiti and documentaries on the earthquake and its aftermath. A moment of silence will take place at the moment — 4:53 p.m.— when the earthquake hit last year. A longer memorial program— featuring State Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry and other guests— will start at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact organizers at 617-287-0096 or e-mail noupapjanmbliye@gmail.com