Dear friends at St. Mary’s,

Thank you for your generous support of Beyond Borders’ Family Graduation Program.  Your support is a powerful reminder that Haiti is not a lost cause, despite how difficult the headlines may feel.  You stand with Haiti’s families and communities at a time when hope and solidarity matter most.

Even amid immense challenges, we see remarkable grassroots progress in the communities where we work—progress made possible by partners like you.  Programs that have been rigorously tested and proven continue to take root, reaching more communities, families, and women and girls, and nurturing hope and connection where fear and isolation once dominated.  I hope you have a sense of the life-changing impact that you are having on the Pierre family .

Since the launch of the program in October, participants have been receiving weekly support payments to get them on their feet.  Group training was organized in late November on how to launch and successfully manage a small business, as well as care for livestock.  They are each on-track to launch their own chosen income-generating activity, thanks to your sponsorship.

In these difficult moments, your family sponsorship is making all the difference, giving participating families the tools they need to navigate the economic effects of the seemingly unending political crisis.

When families in this current cohort graduate in 2027 they will be the seventh cohort to successfully complete the 24-month program — under extremely trying conditions.

Results like these in such difficult conditions are a testament to your steadfast commitment and to the unrelenting efforts of our Haiti team.  We are truly grateful.

As we begin 2026, we’re excited to share the ways your partnership will help advance helping families in Haiti escape extreme poverty.

It is an honor to have you as part of the Beyond Borders family.  Thank you for your trust, your generosity, and your unwavering belief in what is possible in Haiti.

In Community,

Coleen Hedglin & Smith Maximé, Co-Executive Directors

St. Mary’s has so far collected over $1.200 towards our sponsorship of the Pierre family.  For more information on Beyond Borders, including their 2025 Annual Report, go to beyondborders.net or contact deaconjohn@stmarysdumont.org.