Executive Board
Our Executive Team ensures the smooth and effective operation of our organization
Nicole St Victor, MEd.
Project DirectorEarly Childhood Educator. NAEYC Accreditation Mentor The Child Development in Haiti Innovation Project (CDHIP): a brief story from Nicole How my passion for the Child Development in Haiti Innovation Project has evolved: In July of 2014, under a hot blue sky filled with the noises and souls of a nearby marketplace, I was on my way to visit my father in our hometown of Gonaives, Haiti. After many years in the U.S., I was excited to quench my homesickness with the vibrant city of my youth. On this particular trip, I met a remarkable young child named Julien and his mother at the marketplace. Only 5-years old, I watched Julien manage transactions with adults and help his mother sell her wares. They told me, almost matter-of-factly, that Julien walked over 2 miles every morning, before sunrise, to help her at the marketplace. A few hours later, I was astonished to see Julien walk himself to his preschool, which was across from my father’s house. Concerned and curious, I peered into the classroom to see the nature of this school. In a poverty-stricken neighborhood, I saw the classroom lacked basic resources such as classroom supplies, furniture which are needed for even minimal early childhood education. However, I was most troubled by the teachers who showed very little to no understanding of children’s development, their health, safety, social and emotional needs. Without these, children are bereft of the tools they need to thrive in life, no matter the extraordinary persistence they might show as Julien does. When I understood what extraordinary lengths Julien and other children like him take to attend an ill-equipped and inadequate school, my heart broke. As an educator who advocates for and prioritizes qualified staff in early childhood classrooms in the United States, I was determined to take action in my hometown. The dreams of the children in Gonaives should not be compromised by failing schools. My passion drives me to act for social justice and bring change to these deserving children’s lives. The CDA was the best first step to accomplish what I believe can be a paradigmatic change for the children of Gonaives, Haiti.
Martine Casimir, Phd
Board PresidentI am part of a community of Haitian Professionals with longstanding experience and expertise in the areas of health care, education, and mental health. As the name Cultural Bridge indicates, the agency was founded with the vision to expand the community work we have been doing, with a special focus on bridging the social, cultural, and educational gaps facing the marginalized children, youth, and young adults living here in the Greater Boston area, as well as in Haiti. To fulfil this vision, we are relying on you, and other agencies that share the same vision with us. I strongly believe that joining forces with others who are talented, creative, and compassionate is a great way to use and share resources efficiently.
Dr. Renald Raphael
SEOL DirectorPhysician, immigrated in 1983 in Boston, he led the first Department of Health-funded program to facilitate access of immigrant Haitian pregnant women to prenatal care from 1989 to 1996. The campaign was conducted as one of the At From 1989 to 1996, att Catholic Charities Haitian Multi-Service Center, he directed the first Haitian Prenatal Care Education Program (sante Manman se Sante Pitit) in the fight against black infant mortality, which was in the double digits in Mattapan at that time. He executed this project seamlessly and made a significant contribution to the decrease in infant mortality in Boston (13.4 to 3.4/1000). In 1998, he contributed to the development of a monograph; a study on Haitian Culture, Disability and Rehabilitation Services. In 2006-2007, he advanced his education in disability policy by completing a fellowship in Leadership Education Neurodevelopmental Disability (LEND), a federally-;funded program implemented at Children’s Hospital of Boston. From 1998 to 2021, he was the director of the State-funded Haitian Family Support Program at the Haitian American Public Health Initiatives. In that capacity, he provided case management, service navigation and advocacy, special education and training, conducted project development, recreation and community inclusion activities for Haitian families and their children with developmental disability. He strongly believes in the mission of Cultural Bridge, connecting and caring for those who are disenfranchised.
Marie Jocelyn
SecretaryI have a strong belief that education and hard work make families and communities stronger. In joining cultural bridge. I believe that I will be able to better serve my fellow newcomer. Haitians by sharing with them the pathways I used to acquire the skills. I have today In Medical Technology and health care
Sophia Ceptus
VolunteerSophia Ceptus, Alumni of Lesley University with a Masters degree in Bilingual Education. Currently working as Program Director in Early Childhood Program.