Your neighbor may be an immigrant. Indy library program aims to connects cultures

An Indianapolis Public Library program offers residents a chance to learn about the city’s diverse population. For presenters, it gives them a chance to share their culture and address misinformation.

Tuesday morning the Warren branch on the far east side hosted a Meet Your Neighbor program focused on Haiti. More than a dozen attendees were able to try Haitian snacks and beverages while learning about the country.

One of the presenters was Daphney Lavache, the director of community engagement at Patchwork Indy and one of the founders of Pillars of Haiti. She said the program strengthens the community.

“For us, we are trying to get ourselves integrated [in]to the community,” Lavache said. “So in order to do that, you got to learn and let other people learn about your culture as well.”

The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey reports more than 12,000 Haitians living in the State of Indiana, with the largest population in Indianapolis. Lavache said her organization estimates a much higher number.

“I would say, when I’ve learned about three, four years ago, we came an estimate of the 50 to 60 [thousand]. So right now, I would think [it] is in the 80,000,” she said.

Lavache said she hopes this event will combat negative rhetoric, inform people about Haitian culture and foster more community support.

“You can’t help someone if you don’t know anything about them,” she said. “So if you know a little bit about them, then it’s better to provide that support.”

Upcoming Meet Your Neighbor events are slated to present information about refugees living in Indiana. The next one is April 15 at the Fort Ben branch.

Contact WFYI All Things Considered newscaster and reporter Samantha Horton at shorton@wfyi.org or on Signal at SamHorton.05.