Our Mission
HAFALI, Haitian American Family of Long Island, Inc. is a community based 501(c)(3) organization facilitating the acculturation process for the Haitian families in Long Island, NY. Hence, HAFALI serves as a bridge connecting the diverse communities in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marthe M. Desdunes, Esq.
Board Chairperson
Marthe M. Desdunes is a litigation and transactional attorney with more than 15 years of experience partnering with not-for-profit organizations as well as State and Local governments on regulatory and compliance matters. Her practice also includes Real Estate, Estates & Trusts, and Tax compliance. Ms. Desdunes has Bar Admissions in New York State, US District Court for the Eastern District, and the US Tax Court.
Pascale Jean-Noel, LMSW
Board Co-Chairperson
Pascale received her BSW and master’s degree from Adelphi University School of Social work, Garden City, NY. She holds a Clinical License in Social Work and has over twenty years of experience in social-service settings. Pascale Jean-Noel presents yearly at multiple conferences nationally and statewide. Her topics include Positionality through leadership and service delivery, Person-centered treatment and Supervision, Strategies to Improve Mental Health Outcomes in the Black Community, and Supervision in a Data-Driven Environment.
Frantz Pierre-Louis CPA, EA
Chief Financial Officer
Frantz Pierre-Louis is the Managing Director of Pierre-Louis & Associates CPA, PC a full-service CPA Firm that provides extensive tax planning services to both individuals and corporations including not-for-profit organizations. The Firm also represents clients before New York State and the Internal Revenue Service to resolve outstanding tax debt. Mr. Pierre-Louis has over 20 years of experience representing clients throughout the United States and abroad.
Mathew Thenor
Secretary
Mathew Tenor is HAFALI’s Secretary. A Haitian-American, his parents were both born in Haiti and immigrated to the U.S. with their families. Mathew grew up on Long Island and graduated from Great Neck South High School. He attended CUNY Hunter College and received a B.A. in Urban Studies from the institution. He currently works at the NYC Department of Social Services. When he is not working, Mathew enjoys watching soccer, volunteering, and spending time outdoors.
Magaly Polo, LMSW
Public Relations
Magaly Polo is a licensed social worker who was born in Haiti. Ms. Polo, a graduate of Hunter College currently works with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene helping adults 18 years and older who have been diagnosed with a mental illness to follow treatment and stay out of the hospital. Ms. Polo spends her spare time volunteering in many organizations. She is the co-founder of the New York Association for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services Cultural Competence committee- NYAPRS is an organization fighting for the rights of New Yorkers diagnosed with a mental illness. Ms. Polo has been recognized for her hard work in her community with several awards and recognitions. She has written articles and presented her experience and provided education to many communities throughout the New York area. Ms. Polo continues to advocate, educate and empower those around her as she believes we all have a responsibility to help our community.
Dr. Joseph Delcasse Jr, MD
Public Relations
Dr. Joseph Delcasse Jr, MD is a Colorectal Surgery Specialist in Freeport, NY, and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from HAHNEMANN MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL in 1997. He has been actively involved with HAFALI for over fifteen years.
Rev. Moise Aimé
Co-Founder/Advisor
Rev. Moise Aimé was born in Haiti. He migrated to France in Europe at the age of sixteen right after High School to enter the seminary with a vision of earning a degree that would be useful in Haiti. He started as an engineering student and then enter the seminary in Lile, France. He was ordained as a priest in October 1980. Fr. Moise earned a doctorate in Pastoral Theology from the Catholic Institute in Paris and a doctorate in Human Sciences (Anthropology, Sociology, and Ethnology) from the University of Sorbonne in France. Father Moise has been a faithful servant in the Diocese of Rockville Centre for 31 years. He is the pioneer in the establishment of the Haitian American Apostolate Ministry (HAAM) in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Fr. Moise served the multicultural Church at various parishes in Nassau and Suffolk County. Fr. Moise is the co-founder of HAFALI, Inc, (Haitian – American Family of Long Island, Inc).
STAFF MEMBERS
Maryse Emmanuel-GARCY, LMSW
Executive Director
Guilise Gondre, LMSW
Executive Assistant
Mimose Valbrum, LMSW
Social Worker
Elda Cantave, BHS
Case Worker
Jacques Province
Bookkeeper