About us
MISSION
Diaspora Community Services is a social support service agency that empowers families and individuals
to maximize their abilities to succeed through culturally sensitive health promotion, family support services and advocacy.
VISION
We are a recognized expert in the provision of culturally sensitive health information.
We are committed to our clients and believe that by respecting and understanding their needs, we can strive to meet their expectations while providing effective, quality services. At Diaspora Community Services, we take pride in the noteworthy contributions of diverse communities and are committed to the values of partnership, integrity, and equality for all. We serve as a bridge for our clients advocating for their needs and supporting them on their personal journey to empowerment. We serve a highly diverse population, providing essential health and supportive programs while upholding the highest standards of human rights, gender equity, non-discriminatory healthcare access, and opportunity for low-income and immigrant families in Central Brooklyn. We support and understand the principles of anti-racism and anti-poverty.
Our History & impact
Founded in 1981, Diaspora Community Services (DCS) is a Brooklyn-based multi-service and multi-cultural 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing comprehensive support to low-income residents, immigrants, and the chronically ill. Today, DCS serves nearly 10,000 people annually through three programmatic sites across New York City. We are staffed by experienced professionals in the health and social service sectors and supported by a Board of Directors as diverse as the vibrant communities we serve. This diversity allows us to deliver programming that directly meets the needs of the most vulnerable among us.
From Haitian Women’s Program to Community-Wide Impact
Since gaining nonprofit status in 1991, DCS (formerly the Haitian Women’s Program) has grown to meet the evolving needs of our communities—while maintaining a sharp focus on the challenges and inequities that impact women, girls, and youth.
Our journey:
- Late 1980s: Resettling Haitian refugees
- 1990s: Responding to the HIV crisis
- Present day: Delivering comprehensive services that tackle root causes of community challenges.
Throughout our history, we have connected individuals and families with vital benefits, counseling, education, housing support, and referrals to trusted partners.
Our approach
DCS programs are designed to address the root causes of the challenges our clients face. We empower families and individuals to overcome barriers to their health and well- being. We meet clients where they are—considering individual needs, skills, financial realities, and health concerns—to provide transformative one-on-one support. Our youth programming centers on education and empowerment, following a youth development model that focuses on building on young people’s strengths rather than their deficits.
our services
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Access to quality health services
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Supportive housing for youth, families, and asylum seekers
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Youth education and empowerment programs
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Social services to meet basic needs
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Anti-poverty initiatives across Central Brooklyn
LEADERSHIP
Carine Jocelyn
Chief Executive Officer
Brian
Nwoke
Senior Manager,
Community-Based Programs
Elsuida Brunga
Development Consultant
Manvir
Kaur
Director of Program Operations
Simone Harris
Director of Operations
Christopher Mclean
Director of Human Services
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kenrick Ross
Board President
Executive Director
Brooklyn Community Pride Center
Carine Jocelyn
Chief Executive Officer
Diaspora Community Services
Dominique Etienne
Maritsa Hofherr
Healthcare Administrator
InHouse Physicians
RN Unit Supervisor
Adolescent Psychiatry
Inova Health System
Jerry Raphael
Chief Financial Officer
Stack Overflow
Caleb Terry
Compliance Officer
Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center
Luc Josaphat
Director Of Quality Assurance
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
Maritsa Hofherr
Transplant Coordinator
Montefiore Health System
FUNDING PARTNERS
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
Durst Foundation
Gilead Sciences
Healthy Heart Foods
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Department of Youth & Community Development
Public HealthSolution
New York State Department of Health
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York
United States Department of Health & Human Services
United States Department of Justice