Frank Speranza (right), works hand-in-hand with the people of Haiti and members of The Foundation For Peace to help rebuild a community devasted by Hurricane Matthew.
Last Fall, Chaplin alumnus Frank Speranza ‘81, returned from his most recent trip to Haiti, where he worked with The Foundation For Peace to help rebuild a community devastated by Hurricane Matthew. His first stop after landing in New York, NY was the annual Waldorf-Astoria Distinguished Alumni Party. The two worlds stood in stark contrast to one another.
“[In Haiti] we were working with a community around a school where water came down from the mountains and carved a canyon into the street about six to eight feet deep,” he said. “The water came into people’s homes, destroyed buildings, washed crops away, washed livestock away – they literally lost everything that allowed them to be self-sufficient.
Speranza first became involved with the foundation while serving as the Vice President of Operations for Interstate Hotels. The hotel industry is often well-positioned to aid these kinds of relief efforts because of their access to basic hygiene products like soap and toothpaste, as well as clean sheets and linens. Initially, Speranza helped supply hygiene kits through the hotels for on-site medical clinics in Haiti. Eleven years ago, he traveled there for the first time with his son. The experience made an impact on him, and he knew he wanted to become more involved.
Since that initial trip, Speranza has become the Chair of the Board of Missions for The Foundation For Peace and opened his own hospitality-focused executive recruitment agency – Hospitality Talent Scouts Executive Search. Today, while running a successful business out of New York, Speranza still makes time to personally travel to Haiti about three times a year.
His advice for anyone looking to get involved?
“The first thing I would say is find a vehicle, go there and try to help,” he said. “It’s not only about the money, it’s about building relationships and understanding the culture. I get much more from the experience than [the Haitian people] do from us.”
The Foundation For Peace helps provide educational support, healthcare, economic opportunity and hope to impoverished areas of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Kenya. To learn more about their work or to make a donation, visit http://www.foundationforpeace.org/.
