Haiti Engaging Youth (HEY) is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit founded in April 2012 by five Haitian-American childhood friends who recognized a critical gap: limited meaningful interaction and exchange between youth in Haiti and Haitian-descended young people in the United States.
Operating from Pignon in northern Haiti, HEY operates a three-pillar mission focused on vocational skills training, food security, and healthcare access. The organization has grown from its core founding team to an eight-member leadership structure and maintains active partnerships with U.S. educational institutions and community organizations.
The Five Founders: Shared Roots, Shared Mission
The story of HEY begins in Philadelphia’s Haitian community, where five young men grew up connected through family relationships and shared cultural identity.
Herman Dolce, Angelo Antoine, Marc Antoine, Gary Joanis, and Philippe Sainvil attended Martin Luther King High School and later reconnected as Temple University students or through the Coalition of Young Christians of Pennsylvania, a civic organization to which several remain active members.
By early adulthood, each had pursued different educational and professional paths. Gary Joanis earned a Bachelor of Science from Penn State University. Herman Dolce completed a bachelor’s degree from Temple University and a master’s degree from Lincoln University.
Angelo Antoine graduated from Penn State University and pursued graduate studies at Holy Family University. Marc Antoine earned a Bachelor of Public Relations from Immaculata University. Philippe Sainvil prioritized professional experience, working as a banker and manager while completing an Associate’s degree in Business.
Despite divergent careers, all five shared a growing passion for Haiti and a desire to create meaningful change for the younger generation. In March 2012, Sainvil traveled to Haiti for a week-long mission trip that proved transformative. Upon his return to Philadelphia, he connected with Marc Antoine and Gary Joanis to convert that inspiration into action. By April 2012, Haiti Engaging Youth was officially established.
Building the Leadership Structure
The founding vision attracted additional members who brought complementary skills and commitment. The initial leadership structure assigned Gary Joanis as Vice President, Angelo Antoine as Fundraising Chair, and Marc Antoine as Ministerial Coordinator.
As HEY expanded, new team members joined with specialized roles. Christelle Chery, a Penn State student with strong social media skills, became Social Media Coordinator. Bianca Roseau, an active member of Temple University’s Haitian Student Organization, advanced from volunteer to Fundraising Chairperson and oversaw a successful fundraising fashion show partnering with Temple University.
Gaelle Baptiste assumed dual roles as Youth Alliance Coordinator and College Coordinator. Dominique Goss, a Temple University graduate and the only non-Haitian team member, serves as Chief Financial Officer. Philippe Sainvil leads the organization as President.
Three Pillars of Impact: Vocational Education, Food Security, and Healthcare
HEY’s mission operates on three interconnected fronts, each addressing foundational barriers to youth development in Haiti. First, the organization delivers vocational training in trade skills such as carpentry, masonry, and electrical mechanics. By targeting young people, HEY aims to create a multiplier effect: skilled youth become skilled adults who can support their families and communities in future generations.
Second, HEY distributes food to address acute nutritional insecurity in the communities it serves. Malnutrition impairs cognitive development and educational outcomes; addressing this barrier directly supports HEY’s educational mission. Third, the organization ensures access to healthcare and medications in compliance with FDA standards. Rather than launching all three initiatives simultaneously, HEY deliberately concentrates efforts on one community at a time to build sustainable, quality programs rather than dispersed surface-level interventions.
The organization’s primary focus area is Pignon, Haiti, located in northern Haiti near Cap Haitian. According to founder Philippe Sainvil, residents of Pignon have responded enthusiastically to HEY’s educational and support programs, recognizing the value of equipping youth with marketable skills.
Building Bridges: U.S. Institutional Partnerships
A key component of HEY’s strategy involves connecting Haitian youth with educational and civic institutions in the United States. HEY is in active discussions with Constitution High School in Philadelphia to develop a pen pal and community service initiative.
The proposed program would match Constitution High School students with peers at partner schools in Haiti, fostering cultural exchange and cross-border friendships that can span students’ educational journeys.
HEY has also collaborated with Temple University’s Haitian Student Organization on fundraising initiatives, including the previously mentioned fashion show. These partnerships serve a dual purpose: raising funds for operations while simultaneously educating U.S.-based young people about Haitian history and culture.
Founder Perspectives: From Misconception to Mission
Philippe Sainvil on Haiti’s Reality
Sainvil was born in Haiti but immigrated to the United States at age three. Growing up, his perception of Haiti was shaped by media portrayals depicting poverty and hardship. His first return visit in the summer of 2000 contradicted these narratives; what he discovered on the ground differed sharply from what he heard in American media.
The transformation deepened in March 2012 when his mission trip experience became life-changing. “That is when I realized Haiti is where I want to be and what I can do to help change the conditions,” Sainvil recalls. His work with HEY has reinforced his conviction that Haiti is fundamentally strong. “Just to sit down and have conversations with my fellow Haitians in Haiti and realize everything they have been through—and they are still standing strong—blows me away.”
Marc Antoine on Media Narratives and Parental Guidance
Marc Antoine’s perspective on Haiti was shaped by two distinct sources in his childhood. Media consistently portrayed Haiti negatively, depicting it as impoverished and troubled. However, his parents provided a counternarrative: Haiti, like all nations, contains both thriving and struggling communities.
Antoine’s parents emphasized Haiti’s historical significance and the pride inherent in Haitian identity. This dual framing—acknowledging hardship while celebrating resilience—has remained constant throughout Antoine’s life. His work with HEY has reinforced these early lessons, bridging his childhood understanding with lived experience on the ground.
Ensuring Ethical Operations: Medicine and Safeguarding
A critical concern for any international nonprofit involving vulnerable populations is the risk of exploitation.
When asked how HEY ensures that its medicine distribution program does not inadvertently use Haitian communities as testing grounds for experimental or restricted pharmaceuticals, Sainvil articulated a clear ethical commitment: “As fellow Haitian-Americans we made it our mission to never allow HEY to be an organization that exploits Haiti for reward or recognition.
Any medicine we take over to Haiti will be in compliance with the Food and Drug Administration.”
Sainvil clarified that while HEY recognizes significant healthcare challenges in Haiti—including high blood pressure, diabetes, and malnutrition—the organization’s medicine initiative remains in planning stages. The current focus is on executing the education initiative efficiently, one community at a time, before scaling additional programs.
Defining Success: Educational Impact and Long-Term Vision
When asked which program has yielded the greatest satisfaction in terms of measurable results, Sainvil pointed to the education initiative. “To have the opportunity to educate the youth here in the states and in Haiti has been wonderful. The excitement and the enthusiasm that is shown when we are working in Haiti and in the States have been very gratifying.”
HEY’s long-term vision extends well beyond its current operational footprint. The organization aims to establish libraries and technology centers throughout Haiti, eventually developing a fully equipped school with modern resources and curriculum. Leadership also envisions establishing community centers that serve as hubs for both educational and sports programming. Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, HEY remains committed to a deliberate, community-by-community approach to ensure quality and sustainability.
Immediate Needs and How to Support HEY
HEY’s current priority is constructing its first library and technology center in Pignon. Donations can take multiple forms: monetary contributions, computers, books, or other educational materials. All support directly advances HEY’s mission to equip Haitian youth with the knowledge and tools necessary for sustainable development.
Interested supporters can follow HEY’s work and connect with the organization via social media. The organization maintains an active presence on Twitter and Instagram (@HeyHaiti) and Facebook (Haiti Engaging Youth page).
What Makes This Guide Different
- Founder-centered narrative with lived experience: HEY’s mission emerges from genuine childhood friendships and personal transformation, not external mandate. Sainvil’s pivotal 2012 mission trip provides a specific, relatable turning point rather than abstract organizational philosophy.
- Ethical transparency on sensitive issues: The organization explicitly addresses concerns about exploitation and pharmaceutical ethics, demonstrating accountability and thoughtful program design.
- Intentional geographic focus: Unlike many nonprofits that spread initiatives thinly across multiple regions, HEY’s deliberate concentration on Pignon reflects lessons learned about sustainable change and community relationship-building.
- Diaspora-centered approach: HEY uniquely bridges two communities (Haitian youth and Haitian-American youth) rather than positioning the U.S. as merely a fundraising source, creating reciprocal learning and cultural continuity.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Haiti Engaging Youth founded and why?
HEY was founded in April 2012 by five Haitian-American childhood friends who recognized a gap in meaningful exchange between Haitian youth and the diaspora. Philippe Sainvil’s transformative mission trip to Haiti in March 2012 catalyzed the decision to formalize their shared passion into organizational action.
Where does HEY operate in Haiti?
HEY’s primary focus area is Pignon, Haiti, located in northern Haiti near Cap Haitian. The organization deliberately concentrates efforts in a single community to ensure quality programs and sustainable relationships rather than dispersing resources across multiple regions.
What specific trade skills does HEY teach?
HEY’s vocational training focuses on in-demand trades: carpentry, masonry, and electrical mechanics. These skills enable young Haitians to support themselves and their families while contributing to their communities’ development.
How does HEY ensure its medicine distribution is ethical and safe?
HEY commits to distributing only FDA-compliant medications and has explicitly rejected any approach that could exploit Haitian communities. The organization’s medicine initiative remains in the planning phase while the current focus centers on scaling the education program effectively.
How can I support HEY’s work?
Donations can take several forms: monetary contributions, computers, books, or other educational supplies. Current priority is constructing HEY’s first library and technology center. Supporters can also follow HEY on social media (Twitter/Instagram @HeyHaiti, Facebook: Haiti Engaging Youth) to stay informed about initiatives and events.
Does HEY partner with institutions in the United States?
Yes. HEY is actively developing partnerships with U.S. schools and organizations, including Constitution High School in Philadelphia (pen pal program) and Temple University’s Haitian Student Organization. These partnerships serve educational and fundraising purposes while fostering cultural exchange.
Editorial Note
This article is based on a detailed interview conducted with Haiti Engaging Youth founders Philippe Sainvil and Marc Antoine, originally published on Kreyolicious. Information about HEY’s mission, organizational structure, leadership roles, and operational focus reflects statements made directly by organization leadership. Social media and institutional partnership details were current at the time of the original interview.
For the most recent updates on HEY’s programs, partnerships, and donation opportunities, visit the organization’s official social media channels. Readers with corrections or additional context are encouraged to reach out through the Haiti Engaging Youth Facebook page.
Last Updated on January 15, 2026 by kreyolicious
