Grand Goave, Haiti — October 13, 2017 — Haiti Arise Technical Institute has announced that the construction of the teaching facility dedicated to collision repair in Haiti will begin in January 2018.
The announcement comes after Haiti Arise partnered with organizations within the collision repair industry, including CCIF in Canada and CIC in the USA, in 2014 with the objective to build a collision repair training and production facility in Grand Goave, Haiti.
Haiti Arise said the development would add to the multitude of skilled trades taught at the Haiti Arise Technical Institute, bringing “desperately needed” education in proper and safe repair of collision damaged vehicles to Haiti.
The goal is to create a long-term sustainable collision repair educational program, which will help improve the lives of thousands of Haitian families and create a positive change in the community and country.
Through the “Buy-A-Brick” and Haiti Arise Corporate Sponsorship Program launched in 2015, over $100,000 has been raised to pay for the construction of the facility, which will begin in January.
Haiti Arise said the industry can still help with the project by making ongoing financial investments, donating tools, equipment and supplies, as well as volunteering at the Institute.
Industry volunteers Tom Bissonnette of Parr Auto Body and Leanne Jefferies of the Assured Performance Network led the charge to raise funds for the Haiti Arise Technical Institute after visiting the facility in person in March 2015.
“We are excited to be a part of something that will help so many families in a country that has faced so many challenges. I am looking forward to returning to Haiti Arise to see construction begin,” said Bissonnette.
Jefferies added: “I am so grateful for the support industry has provided to Haiti Arise. This project was started with a belief that we would accomplish our goal by working together, and with construction slated to begin in January, it’s now within our reach.”
Marc Honorat, Haiti Arise founder, has invited collision industry representatives to join the January 2018 trip. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the collision repair industry. The collision repair training and production facility will be a valuable addition to our technical institute,” he said. “I invite you to visit Haiti Arise, to be onsite for the ground breaking, to volunteer your time, and to share in a life-changing experience and see first-hand the community that you are helping.”
Ongoing funding through industry donations will help to ensure donated equipment, tools, and supplies can be shipped to Haiti. Donations can be made at haitiarise.org/donate. More information about the project can be found at ccif.ca/initiatives/haiti-arise-project.
