Newsroom
2 Jun, 2026
Lakay Accès Santé Joins Jefferson Park Ministries to Close Haitian Heritage Month with "Rhythms of Haiti"
NEWARK, NJ — May 31, 2026 — Lakay Accès Santé (LAS) proudly participated in Rhythms of Haiti, a multigenerational cultural celebration hosted by Jefferson Park Ministries (JPM) to mark the close of Haitian Heritage Month. The event, held at JPM's community hall in Newark, NJ, brought together hundreds of community members, families, and partner organizations for an afternoon rooted in joy, culture, and community connection.
The celebration honored Haitian heritage and the spirit of motherhood through live music, traditional dance performances, and a festive atmosphere decorated in the red and blue of the Haitian flag. Attendees of all ages — from young children waving Haitian flags to elders — filled the room, creating a vibrant and deeply meaningful gathering that reflected the strength and pride of the Haitian community in New Jersey.
Lakay Accès Santé staffed an outreach table at the event, providing attendees with multilingual health education materials and direct connections to health navigation, Medicaid enrollment, SNAP assistance, and diabetes prevention resources. The event served as a powerful platform to bring critical health and social services directly to a community that often faces language and access barriers when navigating these systems.
Events like Rhythms of Haiti are exactly the kind of spaces where our work comes alive. When we show up in community spaces that people already trust, we remove barriers and open doors to care. We are deeply grateful to Jefferson Park Ministries for inviting us to be part of this beautiful celebration of Haitian heritage and community.
— Lukenson François, CEO — Lakay Accès Santé
Jefferson Park Ministries has long been a trusted anchor institution in Union County, supporting immigrant families and fostering community resilience. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to meeting community members where they are — in spaces of culture, faith, and belonging — and ensuring that health equity and access are woven into every community gathering.
Lakay Accès Santé, founded to provide equitable and customized access to health and social services for underserved populations, continues to build partnerships across Essex and Union Counties. The organization's participation in Rhythms of Haiti is part of a broader community engagement strategy that includes ESL education, health workshops, mental health programming, and culturally responsive outreach to Haitian and immigrant communities throughout New Jersey.
About Lakay Accès Santé Inc.
Lakay Accès Santé (LAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable and customized access to health education, navigation, and social services for underserved immigrant and Haitian communities in New Jersey. LAS offers ESL classes, health workshops, mental health programming, translation and interpretation services, and community advocacy. For more information, visit www.lakayaccessante.org or contact lfrancois@lakayaccessante.org.
About Jefferson Park Ministries
Jefferson Park Ministries (JPM) is a faith-based organization with deep roots in serving immigrant and underserved families. JPM provides a range of programs and services that promote social, spiritual, and cultural wellbeing for its community members.
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