
CFFSJ,
Improving the lives
of others to benefit the community, 1976.
CFFSJ heartfully thanks everyone
who has supported us over the years.
about cffsj
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The Centre de Formation Familiale et Sociale de Jacmel (CFFSJ) is a non-profit organization 501(3)© established with a board in New York with a mission to support the Center in Jacmel managed by the Sisters of St. Joseph de Cluny in the city of Jacmel, Haiti situated in the Southeastern Department of Haiti.
Originally the center was created in Jacmel in 1976 by Ms. Myriam Turnier, Mrs. Zulmelie Ratchen, and Father Poulard who saw the need for young Jacmeliens to have a trade-in order to secure a job and deter them to be on the street with no future and becoming vagrant and be part of gangs.
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CFSSJ in Jacmel has any time 75 - 100 Students. The yearly tuition is $120. Unfortunately, many students cannot afford to pay the monthly fee, and in those cases, the center fills the gap which drains already scarce materials for teaching material, building material and maintence, and basic equipment for staff.
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THE FACILITIES
CFSSJ uses abandoned but useable buildings of the Congregation of St Joseph de Cluny.
Since 2018, CFFSJ in New York has been putting all their resources in reconstructing the facility to a standard that will provide a nurturing environment to the students. Various studies conducted by universities such as Stanford and Brigham Young University show that a clean organized space helps to promote better focus on assigned tasks.

the Staff
The nuns of St. Joseph de Cluny give their services in management, supervision and moral and civic education free of charge. It is the civic duty of community members to join in the effort of benefiting the lives of many. By teaching these young women practical skills they will go on to make a difference in the lives of many in the years to come.
Instructors
The Center hires instructors to offer the best quality of instruction to the young women. The instructors are experts in their respective fields and work to ensure a high level of proficiency in the students' skills.
Volunteers
CFFSJ welcomes all volunteers to join in the effort to give back to a blossoming community. Volunteers with specialized skills aid instructors in the classroom and offer a unique perspective on approaching different challenges.
![]() Sewing and EmbroideryOne of the courses in which we teach our ladies the essential skills required for sewing and embroidery. | ![]() Our KitchenOur entire facility is an ongoing project. This image displays a portion of our kitchen used for preparing meals at the center. |
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![]() Sewing and EmbroideryA closer look at the work our ladies do. | ![]() Garden |
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![]() 20180529_104559 | ![]() Garden View |
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THE PROGRAM
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Here at CFFSJ, we offer a 3-year cycle of teaching in basic elementary subjects as well as other technical skills. The students take part in classes such as culinary arts, sewing, embroidery, crochet, child care, home health, home economics, human resources, moral, civic duties, floral, fine art and crafts. These courses will be an integral part to the future of these young ladies careers.

My name is Myriam Turnier, I am originally a marketing graduate and lately been involved in real estate. I have been an active member of the Centre de Formation Familiale et Sociale de Jacmel since its inception in 1976. As a matter of fact, I am one of the founding members. I am currently the President though I prefer to call myself the Ambassador at large of the Center. It’s been a dream come true to see the Center survive thanks to the sisters of St. Joseph de Cluny mainly our late Sister Marie Renee.
Our motto is “HELP US HELP OTHERS HELP THEMSELVES” we are happy and proud of what we have accomplished since lots of our graduate have found their way to get a job. Even thus covid-19 slowed us down, we continue with building 2 new classrooms and preparing the young ladies hoping for a better future.

My name is Ginette Sangosse, a resident of New York city since September 1969. My heart has never left Jacmel, Haiti where I had the best souvenir of my youth. A graduate of Columbia University School of Nursing as a Nurse Practitioner, I volunteered and contributed to many non-profit organizations. My passion has always been to help the disadvantaged people of Haiti. I am the Vice-President /Tresaurer of CFFSJ in N.Y. I had found great pleasure in helping CFFSJ accomplish the dream of some young women in Jacmel in giving them the opportunity to learn a trade and become independent and self-sufficient.
