Our Story
Friends of Fontaine was born from the vision of Pierre-Louis, who, after completing his education in Haiti, dreamed of establishing a secondary school in his hometown of Fontaine. With the support of St. Joseph's parish in Keyport, New Jersey, and the Xaverian Brothers, Pierre-Louis was able to pursue higher education at the University of Port-au-Prince. His dream took a significant step forward when he opened the doors of St. Gabriel's School on October 4, 2010, welcoming 84 students.
However, the devastating earthquake in Haiti that year threatened to derail his plans. Thanks to the generosity of Siena College and the support of Drs. Tom Coohill and Pat Trutty-Coohill, Pierre-Louis continued his education in New York. This support ignited a movement, leading to the formation of Friends of Fontaine in 2011, which became a recognized nonprofit organization in 2013.
Since then, Friends of Fontaine has united parishes, schools, and individuals across the country to support the mission of St. Gabriel's School. The school has become a beacon of hope, providing essential services and education to the youth of Fontaine.