Our Story
Haitians of Toronto began in 2019 with a simple idea: to help our community stay connected.
As Toronto’s Haitian community continued to grow, we saw a need for a place where people could discover Haitian events, businesses, opportunities and resources happening around the city. What started as an online blog became a way to bring our community together, especially during the COVID 19 pandemic when staying connected became even more important.
The idea of becoming a nonprofit came later. While exploring the creation of a youth soccer program, we quickly learned that building sustainable community programs required more structure and access to funding. That realization led Haitians of Toronto to incorporate as a nonprofit organization.
In 2023, we began fully operating as a nonprofit, established our Board of Directors and received our first major community funding from the City of Toronto. Since then, we have continued to learn, grow and build our presence, developing programs, creating partnerships, supporting families and newcomers, and celebrating Haitian culture throughout Toronto and beyond.
What began as a blog has grown into something much bigger. And we are still building.
Our long term vision is to establish a Haitian Community Hub, a permanent space where our community can access services and opportunities, participate in programs, celebrate our culture and, most importantly, feel at home.
From connecting our community online to building a home for our community. That has always been the vision.
24,000 - 25,000
Haitians now live in the GTA
4,200+
Newcomers arrived in the GTA since 2021.
70%
of Ontario's Haitian population lives in the GTA
One
One of the fastest growing Black francophone communities in Ontario.
OUR MISSION
Haitians of Toronto exists to support Haitian francophone newcomers and long-time residents by guiding them through settlement needs, connecting them to services, and helping them find meaningful work. We create programs that help families understand Canadian systems, build practical skills, celebrate our culture, and open opportunities for youth. Our mission is to strengthen our community through support, education, and cultural pride.
OUR VISION
We envision a thriving Haitian community in the Greater Toronto Area where newcomers and residents have access to the right resources, feel a strong sense of belonging, and can build stable and successful lives. We aim to be the trusted hub that brings people together, uplifts families, and shares the richness of Haitian culture with the wider community.
OUR VALUES
Community
We stand with our community and work together to support one another.
Respect
We treat every person with dignity, fairness, and understanding.
Culture & Identity
We honour Haitian history, language, and traditions, and share them proudly with others.
Integrity
We serve with honesty, transparency, and accountability.
Growth
We create opportunities for learning, skill-building, and long-term stability for families and youth.
Accessibility
We ensure our programs and services are easy to understand, culturally relevant, and open to everyone in need.
