A Message from the President

President’s Message

The West Indian Foundation welcomes you as we continue our work into 2021 and share our 2020 accomplishments. 

The West Indian Foundation, a 501c3 organization, was founded by the West Indian Social Club of Hartford over 40 years ago  to serve as the central focus of West Indian culture, social and educational activities in metro Hartford.  We continue that work.

During 2020, as the country shut down due to COVID19, we held over 20 community conversations to bring information to our community and hear concerns.  We took a proactive stance because we knew our community would be hit hard as we are the essential workers  working in the health, hospitality and transportation industries.   We shared information on where to find resources whether it was for food or utility payments, to where to get tested and treated for the coronavirus.  We also shared over 5,000 masks, 2,000 hand sanitizers and other PPE supplies with our partner organizations for distribution.

As a Foundation, we awarded over $50,000 in grants to various local community organizations serving youth. Some of the organizations receiving funding were  African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities (AFCAMP), ACTUP Theatre, Hartford Lions Soccer Academy and URISE Ventures. 

For the past 7 months, we have been working with other Caribbean organizations and clubs in the greater Hartford area to better understand and meet the needs of our community.  Through that forum, we have brought health, education and business experts to speak on and address the issues identified.

We will continue to serve by providing information, funds and resources.  We look forward  to hearing from you and ask for your continued support.  Thank you.

Violette Haldane

West Indian Foundation, Inc.
President