This webinar is a joint effort between Mercy Center NJ and ElevateHer International to confront domestic violence within the Haitian immigrant community. The Haitian church and community have long been a pillar of cultural identity and spiritual strength. However, it is also often a space where silence, shame, and misapplied theology can prevent open dialogue about abuse.

This event will offer a culturally rooted, faith-informed conversation to create awareness, reduce stigma, and introduce practical tools to address domestic violence in Haitian families and churches.

Target Audience

Haitian immigrants in New Jersey
Church leaders, youth pastors, and ministry teams
Community advocates and service providers
Men and women in the Haitian faith community

Participants will:

Gain a deeper understanding of domestic violence and its hidden presence in Haitian families and churches.
Learn how migration stress, patriarchy, shame, family secrecy, and community silence contribute to violence.
Explore the gap between external marriage appearances and internal relationship realities.
Hear solutions that empower churches to respond with both truth and compassion.

Speakers:

Dr Johanne Louis

Dr. Johanne Louis, DNP, CRNP is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Dr. Johanne Louis Foundation, INC with a mission to serve the underserved in the USA and Haiti. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in thoracic surgery at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fondly known as Dr. Johanne, she also serves as the Director of Wellness at the First Haitian Church of God of Philadelphia. Dr. Johanne Louis is married to Joel Leon and has 4 biological children, multiple nonbiological children, 4 stepchildren, and 4 grandchildren. With the encouragement of those dear to her, especially Irma Wilson and Joel Leon, she founded the Dr. Johanne Louis Foundation (JLF) in 2017 to continue to promote health and help those who are underserved and underprivileged. JLF currently pays the tuition for 52 students in Haiti who would otherwise not have the opportunity to go to school and feeds the entire school through the JLF food program. JLF provides free tablets to seniors and underserved groups to decrease social isolation since Covid, and through the JLF Closet provide health fairs, wellness education, free clothes, and toiletries to the underserved in Philadelphia and surrounding area. JLF has received multiple honors and awards including most recently in 2023, JLF received a citation from the City of Philadelphia for Community Service. Through the Dr. Johanne Louis Foundation, Dr. Johanne remains committed to serving the underserved through education and health promotion

Lionel Latouche

Lionel Latouche is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in New Jersey with over twelve years of experience providing psychotherapy to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. As both a therapist and a pastor serving the Haitian community, he sees his work as a calling to listen, heal, and guide others toward growth and wholeness.

He is the co-founder of Kairos Psychotherapy & Wellness, a practice he established with his wife, Vanessa Latouche. Together, they offer a compassionate, people-centered therapeutic approach rooted in the belief that healing happens in safe, intentional spaces.

Lionel has supported countless clients in navigating anxiety, depression, identity formation, life transitions, and relationship challenges. He is especially passionate about helping people explore and process childhood and past experiences to better understand how these shape their worldview.

As a Black male therapist, Lionel is deeply committed to serving Black and Brown communities, creating culturally aware spaces for individuals to face life’s complexities and become the best version of themselves.

Beyond his professional work, he is a devoted husband, proud father of two beautiful daughters, a faith leader, music enthusiast, and avid sports fan.

Rev. Dieula Previlon, LPCs

Dieula Magalie Previlon is the founder and executive director of ElevateHer International Ministries with a vision to empower women to heal from trauma and thrive. She is a Counselor and Life Coach in private practice and an ordained minister in the ECC. An author of the book: "Does God See Me? How God Meets us in the center of our trauma-healing journey".

Her professional career in counseling, coaching, pastoring, and international ministry spans over 20 years. Dieula is born in Haiti, the fourth daughter in a family of eight. Her career and ministry today are because her parents sacrificed immensely for the sake of their family, entering an immigration process to the United States that spanned many hardships over several years.

The mother of three adult sons, Dieula lives in New Jersey with her husband, Fresnel. Learn more at dieulaprevilon.com (http://dieulaprevilon.com/)

For Resources and to learn more reach out to us at ElevateHer: elevateherinternational.org

Mercy Center of NJ: 908-677-5458

Breaking the Silence "Free" Webinar

Addressing Domestic Violence in the Haitian Diaspora Community