Cedrick Charles
Cedrick Charles, a proud son of Haitian immigrant parents living in the United States. Read the inspiring story of Cedrick and his perspective on ImmiHealth.
Interviewed by Tirth Patel
5/12/20233 min read
As a proud son of Haitian immigrant parents living in the United States, my journey has been one of constant adaptation and growth to the environment around me. Growing up in a household where Creole was the primary language, I was able to communicate with all of my family members and feel a strong sense of connection to my Haitian background. But because of this, I often felt removed from the American culture surrounding me.
Despite this, I found joy in introducing my friends to various aspects of my culture. I introduced them to our vibrant music scene, including the infamous kompa and traditional Haitian cuisines like griot, rice, and beans. This allowed me to showcase my heritage and helped me feel more integrated into my community.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for all of my family. Often, they were not always accepted by those around us. We’d faced discrimination and were sometimes made to feel like outsiders. As the only English speaker in my family, I was responsible for helping my parents navigate important documents and understanding complex legal jargon at a young age. I gained a special understanding of the difficulties that immigrant families face because of this.
Despite all the challenges, my parents stressed the importance of education to me from a young age. They viewed education as the key to success and the doorway to a better life because they were not fortunate enough to obtain a proper education in Haiti. They instilled a strong focus on education, which helped me better comprehend American culture and the experience of other immigrant families like mine.
My experiences have taught me that an immigrant family’s journey is difficult. It requires dedication, hard work, and a willingness to adapt to new cultures and environments. As I continue to learn and grow, I plan to take what my experiences have taught me to make the process of becoming easier for others. I want to advocate for the rights of immigrant families, stand up for those who experience prejudice, and open doors for those who want to advance their education to better their lives. My path has taught me that anything is possible with determination and effort, despite the challenging road ahead.
I am excited to watch how initiatives like ImmiHealth are attempting to enhance the quality of life for migrant populations. I know the significance of programs like ImmiHealth because I have witnessed the difficulties immigrant families face in America firsthand. ImmiHealth is assisting in dismantling barriers that have historically hindered many migrants from getting the necessary medical care by giving them access to inexpensive healthcare.
Additionally, ImmiHealth is working to empower migrants by providing them with the resources and knowledge they need to take control of their healthcare. By educating migrants on the available healthcare options and their rights, ImmiHealth is providing them with the tools necessary to advocate for themselves and their families.
Through initiatives like ImmiHealth, we can continue to work towards a more equitable society that works for everyone, regardless of their background or immigration status. I am excited to see how organizations like ImmiHealth work to improve the lives of those most in need.