Many may recognize Wilhelmina model, Joanne Borgella, as the first winner of Oxygen's hit "Mo'Nique's F.A.T. Chance" or for her appearance on "American Idol" but most don't know of her deep connection to her recently ravaged homeland of Haiti.  We reached out to Joanne to find out what the PLUS community can do to help.

Mia: Your family is still very much connected with Haiti though you were raised on Long Island, NY. What is your connection to the Haitian community?

Joanne: I was born and raised in Long Island New York, however, at the age of 13 my family and I moved to Haiti.  My father, Dr.Joel Borgella opened up the first 24 hour Haitian radio station in the United states 20 years ago. With that being said my parents wanted to go back "home" and so we did. I lived there for five years and they were by far the best years of my adolescence. My connection to Haiti is very deep.

Mia: Have you been able to make contact with any of your family or friends in Haiti since the disaster?  Is everyone OK?


Joanne: My immediate family is well but unfortunately we lost many other friends and family members. The evening it happened I was able to communicate via BBM (Black Berry Messenger) with my best friend Terry Boucard hours after the 7.0 quake.  Terry moved back  to Haiti a few years after college. I broke down when  I heard the news, dropped down to my knees and began to pray. I had never felt so helpless in my life.