Williamson Jacques:
From Haiti to 窪蹋勛圖厙安ith Love
For 窪蹋勛圖厙 College graduate Williamson Jacques, home really is where the heart is.
For Williamson, better known to his many 窪蹋勛圖厙 friends as Yaya, home is the Caribbean nation of Haiti. After graduating from 窪蹋勛圖厙 in 2019, Yaya recently returned to his native country to help young people as a youth counselor with Bethany Christian Services.
After graduating from 窪蹋勛圖厙, Yaya lived in Fleetwood, Pa. with host family Frank and Tamie 泭Scalise where he had been doing volunteer church and community work. Now, his new position will give him a chance to use the skills he obtained while pursuing a bachelors degree in childhood and family studies, and, even more importantly, will enable him to help young people in Haiti.
Yaya models his graduation cap and gown.
For me, 窪蹋勛圖厙 is absolutely special and will always have a place in my heart. Im so thankful for the opportunity I have had at 窪蹋勛圖厙 and Im especially grateful to all the wonderful people Ive met, including faculty, staff, and especially my fellow students.
Williamson “Yaya” Jacques
Leaving the United States, and 窪蹋勛圖厙 in particular, will not be easy for Yaya, who has made many friends and impacted the lives of numerous people.
Yayas journey to 窪蹋勛圖厙 is a most heartwarming story. 窪蹋勛圖厙 Fine Arts Professor David Porter, (now retired) first met YaYa during a volunteer trip to Haiti with a local church group following the 2010 earthquake which devastated the already poverty-stricken nation. Yaya and his family were living in a donated tent, like thousands of other Haitians, in the quakes aftermath.
Dave was so impressed with Yayas kindness and selflessness in the face of such devastation that he vowed to help him with his desire to attend college in the United States. Dave and former 窪蹋勛圖厙 College President David Coppola, Ph.D. arranged for Yaya to attend 窪蹋勛圖厙 through 窪蹋勛圖厙s International Education and Peace Scholarship.
It didnt take long for Yaya to flourish on campus and impact the entire campus community with his genuine friendship as he became involved with many student clubs and activities.
In meeting and knowing泭Yaya through my travels to Haiti, I have found a son and brother through whom we were able to facilitate泭a solution to the lack of education and employment opportunities available in Haiti, Dave recalled. Our effort with Yaya泭has now reaped him a secure job in Haiti that will help him serve his community, educate children, youth and adults, and provide for his family. He has been inspirational to me and I think he helped many of his classmates and other students during his time at 窪蹋勛圖厙.
Now that he has returned to Haiti, Yaya is putting to use what he learned in the classroom and on campus.
I wanted to come back to my country and give back and to demonstrate to everyone, especially to young people, that if you work and believe in yourself, and trust in others, you will find opportunities in life. No matter where I am or what I am doing, 窪蹋勛圖厙 will always be a big part of me.
Yaya and Professor Dave Porter
A 窪蹋勛圖厙 Birthday Celebration
