Forty years, one interruption, and a decision to come back.
Action Communautaire des Ouanaminthais is a nonprofit dedicated to improving life in Ouanaminthe, Haiti through education, community development, humanitarian assistance, cultural preservation and civic engagement.
How we got here.
A group of young people start something
ACO begins as the Association Culturelle de Ouanaminthe, founded by young visionaries under its first president, Thony Étienne. The mission was to promote culture, education and civic responsibility among the youth of the town. Myanthon Poisson and later Gaston Étienne followed as presidents.
Haiti forces a pause
Political instability, violence and social unrest push the country into one of the hardest periods in its modern history. The organization suspends its activities. For nearly three decades, the idea of ACO survives only in the memory of its former members.
The students come back as professionals
The young people who founded ACO have become physicians, lawyers, engineers, accountants, educators, entrepreneurs and executives living across Haiti, Canada, the United States and Europe. Rather than let distance separate them, they reunite. ACO is reborn, no longer a youth association but a professional community organization committed to giving back.
Legal standing on two continents
Under President Dr. Estephen Noel, ACO becomes legally registered as a nonprofit in both the United States and Haiti, and is granted 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in the USA. This expands fundraising capacity, establishes credibility and opens the door to foundation and corporate partners.
Dr. Estephen Noel
President, elected 2019
Dr. Noel first joined ACO in 1986 as a young adolescent, when the organization was still the Association Culturelle de Ouanaminthe. Like many of his generation, he grew up inside the values of service, solidarity and community engagement that ACO instilled in its youth.
When the opportunity came to lead the organization after its relaunch, he answered the call. He committed himself to turning ACO into a modern, transparent and internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of Ouanaminthe.
His work has gone well beyond legal recognition. He has strengthened governance, pushed financial transparency, expanded membership across the Haitian diaspora and positioned ACO as a respected voice for the town. Today the organization carries a reputation for professionalism at home and abroad.
The people who answer for this work.
ACO is run by volunteers. These are the members elected to carry the organization, and the people you reach when you want an answer about where your money went.
Portraits of the committee are coming soon
Our mission
To improve the lives of the people of Ouanaminthe by mobilizing the talents, resources and generosity of our members to support education, healthcare, culture, youth development, humanitarian assistance and sustainable community development.
Our vision
To make Ouanaminthe a model community where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive through education, innovation, solidarity and responsible civic leadership.
Ten values, and we mean all of them.
Ask us anything about the money.
Trust is the only currency a nonprofit really has. ACO is registered in the United States and in Haiti, holds 501(c)(3) status, and reports to its members.
501(c)(3) status
Registered tax exempt in the United States. Contributions from US taxpayers are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Registered in Haiti
ACO holds legal nonprofit standing in Haiti, which allows us to operate and partner directly with local institutions in Ouanaminthe.
Member governance
Regular members hold voting rights, serve on committees and elect leadership. Decisions are made by the people funding the work.
Annual reporting
Financial statements, program results and governance documents are made available to members. Request a copy at any time.
Your generosity today creates opportunity tomorrow.
One project, one family, one life at a time. Join a growing network of Ouanaminthais and friends of Ouanaminthe who decided that giving back is not optional.