Child Sexual Abuse Victims and Witnesses Are Being Threatened and Intimidated at Haiti Orphanage

2011 Hearts With Haiti Board Meeting, Haiti

The HWH Board of Trustees is made up of irresponsible individuals who are enabling the sexual abuse of children in Haiti by St. Joseph's Homes Director, Michael Geilenfeld (back row center, blue shirt and beard). Multiple reports of child sexual abuse have been made against Geilenfeld, yet the Trustees refuse to remove Geilenfeld from his position as executive director (and from Haiti) until an investigation is completed. Geilenfeld is threatening and intimidating victims and witnesses.

 Chair: Rev. Patrick S. Hamrick (phamrick@fountainstreet.org)

‒        Executive Minister, Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan

‒        Why I Serve: “I support this organization because it is small, targeted, and effective.” 

 Vice Chair: Dr. Rolvix Patterson (rolvix@me.com)

‒        Physician, Trent Woods, North Carolina

‒        Why I Serve: “I am part of the St. Joseph Family because this is, without a doubt, the best ministry I have ever come across in my lifetime.”

Secretary: Paul D’Oliveira (macarama@aol.com)

‒        President, Paul Bunyan, Inc. Concord, MA, Member, Concord (MA) Rotary Club 

‒        Why I Serve: “I want to help ensure SJF continues on and grows for another 26 years.”  

Treasurer, Ex-Officio: Jerry Slaymaker (jerry@notrials.com)

‒        Retired Administrator and Consultant, www.notrials.com, Cary, North Carolina, 

‒        Why I Serve: “I am fortunate that I can be part of an organization clearly meeting God’s call by caring for the very least fortunate individuals in Haiti.”

 Michael Geilenfeld (sjfamilyhaiti@hotmail.com)

‒        Founder and Executive Director, St. Joseph Family Homes, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, accused of multiple counts of child sexual abuse. 

‒        Why I Serve: “I believe that by being a part of the St. Joseph Family I am able to help downtrodden and misunderstood children see the best in themselves as well as seeing the presence of Christ in their lives.”   

 Andy Gospodarek 

‒        Open Source Software Developer, Raleigh, North Carolina

‒        Why I Serve: "Visiting Haiti and spending time with the St. Joseph Family was a life-changing experience for me.  The call to give back to those that gave me so much was too strong to ignore."

Rev. Roy Howard (office@saintmarkpresby.org)

‒        Minister, North Bethesda, Maryland

‒        Why I Serve: "I serve because it provides an opportunity to be connected, through the SJF, to the people in Haiti in a way that brings hope, encouragement, and a solid foundation for their future.  This relationship is mutual, bringing me hope and encouragement from the faithful resilience of those in the St. Joseph Family."

Rev. Matthew Miller (pastor@1st-presbyterianchurch.org)

‒        Minister, Sioux City, Iowa

‒        Why I Serve: " I serve on the HWH Board because I have seen first-hand how God is at work through the SJF, bringing out the beauty of young lives that others would have discarded.  The homes of the SJF, each in their own way, testify to the power of resurrection.  Serving on the Board gives me the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing there."

Rev. Jarrett McLaughlin (jarrett.mcglaughlin@villagepres.org)

‒        Minister, Prairie Village, Kansas 

‒        Why I Serve: “SJF taught me about resurrection.” 

Bill Nathan

‒        Director, St. Joseph’s Home for Boys, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

‒        Why I Serve: Why I Serve: ”I am so proud to be part of the Family and be able to give back, because the Family has given me so much over the years.” 

Rev. Dr. Shelley Wiley, Founding Board Member (memberhoneycreekpres@sbcglobal.net)

‒        Minister, Professor, Enon, Ohio

‒        Why I Serve: “I keep going back because love is put into practice in these homes, and it is life-changing to be a part of it.”

Laura Roberts Wright

‒        Businesswoman, Richmond, Virginia

‒        Why I Serve: " I serve on the Hearts with Haiti Board of Trustees because I became one with the SJF during my fateful stay there in January, 2010.  The emotional roller coaster, from the joyous RDTH performance the night before the quake, to the terror and anguish of the earthquake itself, bonded me for life with this precious group of children of God."

                                                                                               

Executive Director: Geoffrey Hamlyn (ghamlyn@heartswithhaiti.org)

‒        Why I Serve: “I believe that the most impactful charities are those that maintain a consistent focus on mission and operate within a core value structure that elevates human rights, dignity, and equality.   The St. Joseph Family is an extraordinary and unique ministry that fulfills this vision with unparalleled success and Hearts with Haiti is invested in helping it realize its dreams.”   

Office Manager: Rane Winslow