The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) has established a relief fund to provide financial support to Haitian employees of senior living companies.

"The employees of our members devote their working lives to the loving care of frail seniors. Now, in their hour of need, we offer support to them so they can better help their families in Haiti,'' said Richard Grimes, the president and CEO of ALFA.

The ALFA Executive Committee established the ALFA Haiti Relief Fund with a seed grant of $10,000 from the ALFA treasury this week. The fund will distribute $500 grants to any Haitian who works for a senior living company who needs money for travel to Haiti, support for family members in Haiti or travel costs for family members leaving Haiti. ALFA is encouraging its member companies to donate to the fund and to match grants awarded to their employees and urging senior living employees to give what they can.

"I appreciate that $10,000 is a pittance when you consider the desperate need of the people of Haiti but we hope these grants will make a concrete difference in the lives of the loved ones of our Haitian associates, '' said Grimes. "Senior living companies rely upon the professionalism and commitment of Haitian employees day in and day out. This is the least we can do to relieve some of their anguish over the loss and suffering in their homeland.''

Last year Haitians working outside the country sent more than $1.5 billion in remittances back to relatives in Haiti. The World Bank says that 70 percent of that money came from Haitians living in the United States.

The application for the ALFA Haiti Relief grants must be filled out by an officer of the senior living company or the executive director of the community. Senior living companies do not have to be ALFA members for employees to be eligible for a grant.

The grant application can be found at www.alfa.org.

The Assisted Living Federation of America is a national association of assisted living companies with affiliates and chapters in 37 states. ALFA is the voice for senior living and advocates for informed choice, quality care, and accessibility for all Americans needing long term care.

Assisted Living Federation of America

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