Bright Futures for Thomazeau Foundation History

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BFTO, formerly known as St Michel Foundation, was incorporated in the State of Florida in April 2008 

and is currently registered as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. 

The idea of the foundation birthed from volunteer Haitian nurses teaming up with “The Friends of Haiti”, a volunteer organization 

based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on medical missions in Thomazeau 

During these missions, Anssie Blot, who often volunteered, witnessed firsthand the plight of village children going to school on empty stomachs, many of them walking long distances to reach school.  She knew from her professional experience that undernourished children have little or no focus on learning in the classroom. She began to randomly distribute food to several area schools during each trip, twice a year. 

Slowly, the goals shifted to establishing a permanent feeding program for needy children.  Together with two other friends and colleagues, Elsie Justilien and Marlene Dessources, both registered nurses as well, they created the St Michel Foundation. They are part of a seven member Board that manages the affairs of the association. 

St Michel School, a Pre-K to Elementary public P.S., was the pilot institution chosen to benefit from the program. Since its inception, the foundation has served hot lunches to hundreds of students. 

In December 2009, BFTO organized an inaugural Christmas party at the school for 600+ children in the community and donated presents to all. 

The annual party has become a tradition well appreciated by the Thomazeau community.