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OPIOD OUTREACH & EDUCATION
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An active collaboration effort (Greater New Hope Church & Ministries, First Church of God, Men for Change, Rebirth) to increase access to prevention, treatment, and recovery support services in the Caroline County to those who deal with substance use related conditions and general addictions.
We provide Peer Support (one on one & group setting) to connect people struggling with use and addiction with real help that is available 7 days a week. Call us at 410-754-4299.
We provide FREE transportation to individuals who cannot find their way to appointments, recovery meetings and treatment centers all throughout Caroline County.
We provide Peer Support Specialists and Community Health Workers (English, Creole, and Spanish speaking) available to help and provide a safe place to meet others to make it possible to build friendships and support networks.
Most of our support groups and activities occur at wellness & recovery centers located at First Church of God (Federalsburg) and Greater New Hope Church (Preston). We also host events in various locations throughout Caroline County.
FREE! ARC of Hope does not require insurance or referral to attend/participate. Everyone is welcome!
Our Team – Employees and volunteers have personal experience in what it is like to live with a substance use or addiction issue. We have overcome many obstacles and believe that anyone else can too! This allows us to offer peer support through our own lived experiences. Opiod Outreach, Education and Treatment
Minority Outreach Technical Assistance (MOTA)
State Opiod Response
The opioid crisis has struck Caroline County hard in the past few years. Addiction and sometimes death has reached into every part of our county. It has no respecter of age, race or creed. We have felt the pain and experienced the devastation. ARC stands for Active Recovery Center of Hope. Based here in Caroline County, we are focusing on the prevention, recovery and treatment for family and friends who are wrestling with substance abuse disorders. Our goal is to connect people struggling with addiction with real help that is here in our county 7 days a week. Sometimes a lack of transportation stands in the way of people breaking away from their addiction. There is no way to get to the doctor or facility that can provide care. The ARC of Hope will provide free transportation to individuals who cannot find their way to appointments, recovery meetings and treatment centers all throughout Caroline County.
The goal of the ARC of Hope is that we will help connect those who are suffering from substance abuse disorders in our minority communities with medical professionals who can diagnose and treat the addiction process. Our Peer Support Specialists will be available to help those navigating the path of freedom from opioids in both English and Creole.

VIRTUAL SCHOOL & TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT CENTER

Rebirth, Inc., a local registered nonprofit, located in Salisbury, Maryland is operating a Virtual technology, learning & support center for vulnerable populations. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools in our communities closed for in-person learning and continue to offer only virtual learning for many students. This situation has caused the most disadvantaged students to fall behind their peers of higher socioeconomic status. Rebirth has opened a center 225 N Division St, Salisbury, MD 21801 to provide access to virtual classrooms, tutoring and homework assistance for children in the community whose families lack the technology and skills to continue learning, virtually from home. Additionally, many families do not have access to the internet, or enough bandwidth to support virtual learning. For many families in our community, Spanish and Creole is their primary language, creating a barrier to understanding the process of virtual school formats. The Hispanic and Haitian communities have been deeply affected by the pandemic and are the most vulnerable to falling further behind in their education.
 
The mission of the center is aligned with Rebirth’s goals to strengthen, advocate for fair treatment and policies, empower and protect the legal rights of  immigrant workers and the most vulnerable in our community, on the path toward social adjustment.
(https://www.rebirth4hope.org/)
 
Currently, the center is coordinated by volunteers and Rebirth has spent over $1000 to launch the center.The center has opened on October 21st, 2020 and our schedule is Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 8:00AM - 2:00PM | 4:00PM - 6:00PM. The city of Salisbury has donated shield Plexiglas and the Presbyterian Church has let us use their building temporary to run the program, Trinity Church has donated 10 tables and start to work with the board of education to facilitate a flow of communication between parents and the school system. As we have just opened, for the month of October we have served 8 families and 71 students.
 
The centers’ volunteers are trained to provide virtual learning support and mentoring for the students and their parents. The center has sufficient internet bandwidth to accommodate students by giving them the ability to log into their respective school’s educational learning system. Many of the volunteers are fluent in Haitian Creole, Spanish, English and French. Parents are not only able to participate in the virtual learning assistance, but can also receive basic computer training.
 
The “homework gap” is more pronounced for black, Hispanic and lower-income households. Some 15% of U.S. households with school-age children do not have a high-speed internet connection at home, according to a previously published Pew Research Center analysis of 2015 U.S. Census Bureau data.
According to the 2020 Maryland report, ALICE IN Maryland: A Financial Hardship Study, 27% of Maryland households below the Alice Threshold do not have internet access, compared to 5% above the Alice Threshold.  The ALICE Threshold represents the

average income that households need in order to afford the essentials for financial survival in their county.  Households below the ALICE Threshold include those living at or below the Federal Poverty Line, as well as those above the FPL but still struggling to afford basic essentials.  A greater proportion of African American and Hispanic households are below

FLAG DAY FESTIVAL

Cultural Heritage Celebration of Flag Day
Rebirth has been organized Community Event with over a thousand attended   
Take place @ City Parks & Downtown Salisbury, A family friendly festival that brings over a thousand people together, for celebration and networking, it’s been going on for six years.
The Haitian Heritage Month celebration is an expansion of the Haitian Flag Day, a major patriotic day celebration in Haiti and the Diaspora. Haitian President Dumarsais Estimé started the Flag Day celebration with parades, cultural and athletic events in many cities in Haiti in the 1930s, when he was minister of education under President Sténio Vincent. Estime wanted to commemorate annually the creation of the Haitian flag on May 18 to encourage the development of patriotic sentiments among Haitian youth.

Haitian Heritage Month is a celebration in the United States of Haitian heritage and culture. It was first celebrated in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1998. Tele Kreyol, one of the Boston Haitian Access Television programs, celebrated the whole month of May with a series of programs on Haitian history, culture, and contributions to the world. The month-long celebration has continued with such activities as parades, flag raisings, and exhibits organized by Haitian-Americans United, Inc. (H.A.U.) in collaboration with several Haitian organizations in the New England area.

Haitian Heritage Month Observed in the United States
Type: Heritage, cultural, ethnic
Significance:  Celebration of Haitian contributions
Begins: May 1, Ends:  May 31, Frequency: annual

South Florida congressman Kendrick B. Meek introduced unsuccessfully a bill in the United States House of Representatives in 2004 and 2006 to recognize the month of May as Haitian-American Heritage Month in the United States. President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush sent a letter in May 2005 to congratulate the Haitian-American community for the heritage month and organized a celebration at the White House the same year.

​Since 1998, several governors, members of state senates and houses of representatives, mayors and city councilors have issued annual citations and proclamations, recognizing the Haitian Heritage Month celebration in their states or cities.

In 2008, the Haitian Heritage Month/Flag Day was celebrated with parades, festivals, schools activities, and flag raising ceremonies in the following cities and counties in the U.S.:

Beside the Flag Day celebration, the month of May carries a number of significant historical and cultural traditions that Haitians are proud to make aware of and to pass on to future generations. In Haiti, May 1 is celebrated as Labor and Agriculture Day. May 2 used to be Flower Day. The Congress of Arcahaie that united black and mulatto officers to fight together for Haiti's independence is remembered from May 15 through 18. The revolutionary general, Toussaint Louverture, was born on May 20, 1743. Teacher's Day is May 17, University Day May 18, and Mother's Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of May. For Haitian Catholics, May is the month of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Thanks to the Mayor Jake Day, City council president John Heath and County Council president John Cannon for proclaiming and acknowledge the month of May as the Haitian Heritage, cultural, celebrations, activity, family and fun month in Salisbury, Wicomico County, MD
It has been presented to Rebirth inc in behalf of the Haitian community

HEALTH SAFETY TRAINING

Learning Objectives
● Identify how chemicals enter the body
● Recognize the risks of chemical exposure and the health effects
● Understand ways workers can protect themselves from chemical exposure
● Identify the Personal Protection Equipment according to occupation
Key Points
● Chemicals can enter the body through (exposure routes) eyes, mouth, nose and skin.
● Factors that influence the effect of a chemical include: age, gender, size, tolerance, interaction with other chemical, dose or how much, time or how long and health status.
● Workers can protect themselves from chemical exposure.

BACKPACK GIVEAWAY

Back to School Backpacks Giveaway
Donated to the hard to reach community
We have given away over 140 backpacks to the low income, never and hard to reach immigrants kids.
Go out on the community, reaching out to some targeted families, churches,  & small events.
Life changing experience, 2020 goal is 1000. We had a lot of children that we had not reached
Your supports & donations are greatly appreciated

TRANSLATING & INTERPRETING

Interpretation and Translation

ADVOCACY & WORKERS RIGHT

What are you health and safety rights at work?
Explain that under federal law, worker have the right to work in a safe place. Your employer must provide a workplace free of known health and safety risks. If you have any concerns, you have the right to talk about them without fear of reprisal. You also have the right to:
● obtain training in a language that you understand,
● using work machines that are safe,
● be provided with the required safety equipment, such as gloves or a harness and lifeline in case of a fall,
● to be protected from substances like toxic chemicals,
● request an OSHA inspection, and speak with the inspector to report an injury or illness,
● obtain copies of your medical records,
● see copies of the injury you or others suffered at work and the disease registry to review the injury and illness related records the work,
● get copies of the results of the tests done to find places of danger at work.

RADIO STATION

WRBY|Radio OASIS 100.5FM
The voice, the ear and the gate to our community | is bridging the gap.Have you ever wondered how to access/top into the Haitian community? Well look no further!

WRBY-LP 100.5FM
Mission: The mission of WRBY-LP-FM 100.5 is to serve, inform, educate, inspire, and entertain the diverse populations, specially those who are overlooked or under-represented by other media outlets.  in the Community of Salisbury (Wicomico County) by providing a diverse program of music, news and information consistent with the Community interests and public affairs programming that encourages a greater understanding of the human differences and cultural pluralism within the Salisbury (Wicomico communities) and the larger world we live in. Through its programming, WRBY-LP 100.5 will serve as a bridge from the Salisbury, MD to the surrounding communities. As such, it is important that everyone understands that, programming on WRBY-LP 100.5 is a privilege, not a right, and they have certain responsibilities.

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It helps tremendously promoting our mission, vision, goals and objectives in basic educations, Social Cultural, Social Integration and information to the community. More people are able to listen, and hear our programs and services when broadcasting. More people will benefit from it and more will join our cause.
We air information to the immigrants and minorities alike; such as Haitian, Afro-American and Latino communities locally, nationally, and even internationally. We are on air 24/7.
We serve the public interest, by which we are we learn from each other, appreciate one another, and finally come as one unit.

The only community base radio station that provides: diverse live broadcasting programs on the air & social medias, which are educational, informational, social, & cultural.
Also local, underwriting (adds), National & International News.educate immigrants and those new to the area on how to access/navigate mainstream service systems, tap into local resources and Health & Safety, local matters, state, federal government agencies & organizations. Such as IRS, DHS, SSA, HHS, Board of Ed and more.
Orient them to our greater community include our school system, health care, social services & more. Give the workers a platform to organize, protest, voice their concerns, problems, opinions about the system and their workplace.

Some of our  educative Topics:
-Health
-Tax for the rest of us
-Immigration Procedure and update
-Culture Promotion/News & Sport
-Youths Moment
-Basic Laws & Regulation
-Talk to the Community
-Music, Entertainment, & Education

SOCCER CLINIC

Soccer For The Rest Of Us/Summer Camp & After School
That is a program that was created by my brother (Nahim and I)We feel that Soccer in the U.S has became more like a classic sport, like Golf or Tennis. We believe that every child should have his/her chance in trying out for the sport, maybe that will be his/her way in getting a scholarship to a college or University or maybe to a national league or the national team, that’s why we Introduced the Soccer Game to the Under-privileged Children whose parents can’t afford to send to soccer schools, Private coaches, Soccer Camps etc. How do we want to do it? Everyday after school the kids being dropped on, some are pick up to our local soccer field. Now we just do it on a part time basis, on the weekend only for the Kid age 3-16 at Brown St Field & Everyday for 17 and up at Dover Dale Park and sometime at Brown St; however we need your help right away, so we can keep up with the activities of the program. Assist youth to succeed through after-school and weekend programs, parent liaison services, tutoring/Mentoring services that address social adjustment, academic, recreational, cultural enrichment and/or intergenerational needs of the youth. We’ll teach them the basic Creole/Spanish. We mentor and help them with any homework and give a snack and go onto the field for soccer practice. We teach them the Game Structures, Disciplines, Rules, & Technics of the game, that keeps them in shape, and speak about obesity awareness. It also helps deter the children and young men and women from bad ways, behaviors, companies, and keep them busy from making stupid mistakes or crimes.. This Program still need Funding in order for us to launch it.
Summer Camp /Soccer Clinic
25-40 kids, 4days a week, 9am-2pm, teach the basics of the game, manners, exercises & healthy living. Promote recreational, cultural enrichment and/or intergenerational needs of the youth. Partnered with Park & Rec. Launched, but Needs Sponsors
We are part of coalition of Haitian groups and churches and we work closely with individuals serving Latino immigrants. Many immigrants in this region face numerous barriers due to language differences and discrimination. Immigrants are also impacted by poverty and trauma. For instance, in Wicomico County alone, there are 2,000 Haitian immigrants that fled Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, notwithstanding thousands others who have been living there before them. They lost everything and are trying to start over.
Both my brother and I are immigrants. We came to Salisbury, MD in 1992 from Haiti and neither of us spoke a word of English. I was 17 and went to the James M. Bennett High School  (JMB) and was helped by our English Language Learner (ELL) program, but I still experienced social exclusion in a number of ways. My brother is younger than I am. When he attended JMB, he already spoke English and was a star soccer player.  Being on the school soccer team helped Nahum greatly. However, unlike some of the other kids on the team, accessing a college soccer program was not possible for him.  There were simply too many barriers.

Our experience in this community as adolescent teens impacted us. We understand what it means to be excluded. We are familiar with the barriers that so many immigrants face.  We are dismayed that soccer is becoming so hard to access for immigrant kids when it is such an important part of their culture. As part of our vision for Rebirth, Inc., we organized soccer programs, including a summer camp for about 25 children  and helped run an adult league. However, Rebirth, Inc. could not maintain these programs alone.  The limited support from the county dried up.  More importantly, the county got rid of the majority of the public soccer fields.  The few fields remaining are in terrible shape and are not safe for kids.

We feel we can address social isolation through soccer in the proposed program because together we can make it happen, but alone we can not.  We are excited to be a part of demonstrating the success of the proposed model and working to make it sustainable. Specifically for the project, Rebirth Inc. will:

Create an advisory committee
Assist with program design and implementation including:
Recruiting participants
Using the Rebirth radio station to promote the project
Partnering with Salisbury United Soccer Club to organize the youth summer camp and league as well as the adult league
Developing curriculum
Engaging community partners to assist with sustainability

This project offers an important opportunity to give soccer back to the immigrant community and pave the way for better social inclusion among immigrant youth.

5th yr in the making, bring together an average of 1000 people
A traditional Haitian Cultural Heritage Community celebration of the flag, with marching, parade, & more, held at local City Parks: Doverdale, Billy Gene and Downtown Salisbury as well.

Adult Soccer Club
Family & kids friendly activity for the immigrants & non-immigrants alike.
Mentoring and coaching the next generation of soccer players.

Enriching Kids Soccer Clinic
Soccer for the rest of Us
Youth Summer Soccer camp & After School for 3 years at Doverdale Park. Partnered with Parks & Rec. The idea is to teach them the real skills and disciplines of the game, and the opportunity to access their full potential whether in college or professionally.