A Roosevelt bishop is working to help people on his native island of Haiti and his adopted home of Long Island.

Bishop Renelus Maxime and his wife of over 40 years have raised seven children in Roosevelt.

He says he is dedicated to doing everything he can for residents in Roosevelt and hopes those efforts will also make an impact beyond the border.

"I will do anything possibly in my little power to help this community," Maxime says

The bishop came to the United States around 20 years ago from Haiti and is now working to help people across Long Island the same way he helps people from his native island with his charity "Chance for Children."

Bishop Maxime, who leads more than 20 churches across Haiti and is the board of the director of the charity that helps Haitians with adoptions, medical care and educations, is hoping to replicate part of that mission inside the Roosevelt Youth Center by hosting church services, counseling services and classes in English and Spanish.

"I have a responsibility to help them to provide for themselves," Maxime says.

He also teaches people how to make hand-crafted jewelry out of paper and other items, a popular item brought from Haiti.

Daniela Clermond, one of Bishop Maxime's nieces, teaches the craft to others and says her uncle was important in helping her and her family settle right before the pandemic hit.

"Thank God I had my auntie and my uncle to help me a lot because at the time I was not able to work and my husband too," Clermond says.

Maxime, who splits his time between Long Island and Haiti, says his home country needs help.

He hopes that by helping Haitians on Long Island establish themselves, they will be able to help others in Haiti and across Long Island.

The bishop says he plans to reach out to stores to sell the hand-crafted jewelry.