South Florida Social Workers Find a Way to Help TPS Seekers and Relief Efforts in Haiti.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the wake of last week's tragic earthquake, the United States has granted Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for some Haitian nationals who were in the United States on or before January 12, 2010. After the announcement was made by Secretary Janet Napolitano, rumors and announcements started to spread through the Haitian community as to who can help them complete this form and how much it will cost.

The average adult will have to pay approximately $470 in fees to get the TPS and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). In addition, the people offering to help them prepare these forms it is said will be charging an additional $300 service fee on average.  We anticipate some will be higher, because the one page EAD application is usually completed for $250 to $300 in addition to the $340 filing fee.  This form will have to accompany the TPS application, which contains 6 pages.

To help the Haitian community Palm Beach County Social Worker Ruth Ambroise has teamed up with Life Empowerment Coach and author Dr. Judi Cineas to help complete as many free applications as they can. The two have partnered with the Toussaint L'Ouverture High School for Arts and Social Justice in Palm Beach County and Redemption Baptist Church in Broward County, where they will gather friends and colleagues who have agreed to participate in this effort. TPS applicants will not be charged for the service but they are encouraged to make a donation which will be added to money that is already being collected at the high school to help with earthquake relief efforts.

Ambroise and Cineas are on a mission to get as much of the resources they will need donated, such as pens, paper, printing and or copying supplies.  They are inviting everyone come out and help in this effort.  A volunteer training will be held on Tuesday evening at 6:00PM at L'Ouverture High School located at 1325 Gateway Blvd. Boynton Beach, FL 33426.  Anyone interested in participating should send an email to [email protected] and for Broward County volunteers email [email protected].

"Our greatest need is for people who are fluent in both Creole and English so that they are able to explain the form, translate questions for the applicants and understand their responses," said Ambroise, but non-Creole speakers also welcomed, as they can assist applicants who can communicate in English. The group is also encouraging people in other cities and states to engage in similar efforts to help TPS seekers in their communities and help with the relief efforts in Haiti.

SOURCE Living The Dream