JONAS FIRMIN, CHAIRMAN
I was born in Haiti and was raised in the Northern City of Cap-Haitien. My father, the late Fernand Firmin, was known throughout  the City as a preacher and he served as a Deacon at the First Baptist Mission in this Northern City Haiti until he migrated to the US in 1977. I am married to Frantzie Firmin and have two kids, Peter and Shaye Firmin. I moved to Boston over 20 years ago. I completed my high school education in Haiti and hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Suffolk University. I am currently employed at MassHousing as a Senior Portfolio Manager. I have been a church member at Grace Chapel in Lexington since 2004 where I became aware of the church affiliation with Hope for the Children of Haiti, an organization the church has been supporting since the days of Marion Austin, the founder.

ARMAND AND KATHY BERGERON, TREASURER
Kathy and I first became involved with HFC in 2006 through the referral of a friend. Since that time, we have visited Haiti and the children at HFC on four different occasions. Our family is currently in the process of adopting five Haitian children. The children at HFC have truly been a blessing to our family.

JACOB AND CLAUDETTE BERNARD
Dr. Jacob Bernard is a well-respected Haitian Christian leader, who studied in the United States and received his PhD at the University of North Texas before returning to his homeland. Dr. Bernard met Marion Austin in 1994. Dr. Bernard co-founded Hope for the Children of Haiti with Marion and served as the Managing Director at HFC until 2011. Both he and his wife, Claudette, are affectionately referred to as Papi and Mami to the 60 orphaned children who they have raised during their ministry.

ANDRE GORGENYI
I am privileged to have known Marion Austin when I attended Grace Chapel, this is where I first learned of HFC. I am blessed to be married to my wonderful wife, Melissa and we have two children, Lewis and Jocelyn. We attend Faith Evangelical Free Church and serve as Deacons. I have been and continue to be blessed in all aspects of my life. Scripture tells me, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” Luke 12:48

CHERYL HENLIN
In 2007, an opportunity came up to join FCC’s first trip to HFC for the spring of 2008. What an impression those 6 days in Haiti left on me! I was appalled at the living conditions in and around Port-au-Prince, but I was also struck by the joy and hope of the kids we met at HFC and of the staff who cared for them. I work as a project manager and also serve on the missions team at Dartmouth Bible Church.

DAN KASEY
I worked for HFC as the Stateside Coordinator from 1998-2000. Since then, I have been to Haiti 20+ times. I am currently the Pastor of Youth and Family Life at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Acton, MA where I have been serving since 2004. I am also a 1st LT in the Army as a Chaplain Candidate and the husband of Tara Kasey and father to Jazmyn and Justin.

MARIANNE LANGSTON, SECRETARY
After learning about HFC, my husband and I started sponsoring a child at the orphanage. I later organized a mission trip with Free Christian Church and fell in love, not only with the girl we sponsor, but all of the children there. I am excited to be on the Board where I can make a difference in the lives of the wonderful children in Haiti.

MEG NAM
I first connected with HFC as a high school student on a Grace Chapel mission team. Being struck by the work of God in the lives of the children, I returned to Haiti a few times during high school and worked as a volunteer in the HFC office, and later served as the Ministry and Development Director for HFC. I earned my BA in psychology and math education in 2003 from Swarthmore College and my MS in Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. I currently reside in Hawaii with my husband.

MARK AND MARSHA ROMENS
Our call to Haiti became very clear to both of us in the spring of 2010. We both were considering retirement from our public education positions, but felt led to find a way to serve the Lord in a volunteering role while still young and healthly in retirement. Through much discussion with other Christians and confirmation through prayer, we made contact with HFC and God opened doors to help serve the people of Haiti. We presently are members of Christ's Church at the Crossroads.

DOUGLAS AND NEILANI SIMPSON
As members of Hope Christian Church in Winchester, MA, Doug and I have been involved with HFC for over ten years. We became more actively involved in 2005 when I took over the child sponsorship role. In 2006, we adopted two of the HFC boys, Paulkenson and Ephesien, and became members of the HFC Board.

TARA KASEY, Ministry and Development Director
My husband, Dan Kasey, worked for HFC when we first met and got married. I volunteered in the office and was privileged to meet both Marion Austin and Dr. Bernard. In August 2009, I was able to make my first trip to Haiti and it made a strong impression on me. I have gone on several other missions trips, both intercity domestic and international and definitely have a heart for missions and now specifically for Haiti.

ADVISORY BOARD

HAL CLEVELAND
I first visited Haiti in the summer of 2003 as part of a mission team from Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Acton, MA. I went to “keep an eye” on my son Matthew, who was only 16 at the time, never anticipating the profound effect this trip would have on my life. I have been visiting the orphanage regularly ever since. My goal is help keep alive the dream of our founder, Marion Austin, which was to make these children self sufficient in Christ and to empower them to truly make a difference in their country’s future.