Marlene Mathurin co-founder of At Risk Children had successfully managed the USAID-Haiti’s At-Risk Youth Program from 1998-2002 as Executive Director of “Chambre de l’Enfance Nécéssiteuse Haitienne. [CENH] an organization that leads a coalition of institutions working with orphaned and vulnerable children throughout the country.
The continuation of the socioeconomic and political crisis that marred a transition to democracy in Haiti has caused many setbacks; aggravated by the departure of the United Nations troops to leave Haiti by order of the UN General Secretary Kofi Annan. The $500 million dollars aids for Haiti were frozen, the Strategic Objective for 2004 (SO4) of USAID was forsaken, and this resulted in the beginning of a long, and terrifying journey, for Marlene and the many other individuals, and organizations who would take on the challenges of caring for the impoverished children of Haiti. In time, these efforts brought hope, and the founding of At-Risk Children Foundation.
On November of 2002, they created the At Risk Children Foundation “ARCF”, A nonprofit organization with a 501 (C)(3) status, with the mission to promote, develop and improve basic living conditions for the most needy Haitian children and families of all faiths, and none.
ARCF is dedicated to providing sustainable programs, opportunities, and care for the children of Haiti. The approach addresses their physical, social, spiritual, emotional and their educational needs.
