Look To The Stars News: Yéle Haiti Foundation

Haiti One Year On: The Care For Haiti Celebrity Charity Album

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:30:00 +0000

America’s top Grammy nominated artists and internationally celebrated musicians, Slip N Slide Records and charity CARE have partnered with Melky Jean and Wyclef Jean to launch a worldwide effort, The Care For Haiti Album, to benefit women and children in Haiti, on the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

On January 12, 2011, to commemorate the one year anniversary of the earthquake, The Care For Haiti project will release the first single from the album, “Better,” highlighting the hope and future of Haiti if we unite to make things better. The song was written and performed by Melky Jean; Wyclef Jean served as the A&R.

The complete Care For Haiti Album will be released on March 8th, 2011, on to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the celebration of International Women’s Day, and will feature original songs and selections from Patti LaBelle, Natasha Bedingfield, Sean Paul, Angélique Kidjo, The Kindred Family, Talib Kweli, Brooke Hogan and many others.

Haiti One Year On: Wyclef Jean Calls For Moment Of Silence

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:00:00 +0000

The Yéle Haiti Foundation and its founding ambassador Wyclef Jean, in a series of national and international radio public service announcements, are inviting the world to join them in a commemorative moment of silence at 4:53 pm EST on January 12th to pay tribute to the victims of last year’s disaster and to signal a collective renewed hope for Haiti.

It was just one year ago when the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010 struck Haiti claiming the lives of more than 250,000 people and leaving another 1.5 million homeless.

“We are anticipating that millions of folks in Haiti, and millions more from all around the world will join in the moment of silence on January 12th, to remember those who tragically became victims of the quake; to pray for those still struggling for the most basic of life’s necessities; and to signal our collective determination for a new tomorrow in Haiti,” said Derek Johnson, CEO of Yéle Haiti.

Wyclef Jean Resigns As Chairman Of Yéle Haiti Charity

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:30:00 +0000

Wyclef Jean, the founder and chairman of Yéle Haiti, announced last night that he will relinquish his leadership role in the organization, effective immediately.

The announcement follows weeks of speculation that Jean is contemplating a presidential bid in Haiti’s upcoming election. Derek Q. Johnson, best known for heading up the revitalization of Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater, will assume the role of CEO to continue the organization’s strong momentum during the transition.

Haitian-born Jean, a Grammy Award–winning musician, humanitarian and U.N. goodwill ambassador to Haiti, established Yéle in 2005 as part of his lifelong commitment to improving conditions in his homeland. The organization’s mission is to build global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports, health, the arts and the environment. Since its founding, Yéle has made a dramatic and wide-reaching impact on the lives of the Haitian population. Its initiatives have put nearly 10,000 children in schools and provided food, jobs and HIV/AIDS prevention training to thousands of teens and adults. Yéle’s post-earthquake emergency relief efforts raised more than $9 million.

Wyclef Jean To Ring NASDAQ Bell For Haiti

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:30:00 +0000

Wyclef Jean, Grammy-winning musician and record producer and co-founder of Yéle Haiti, will preside over the NASDAQ Opening Bell on Friday, July 23, 2010 at 9:30 A.M.

The NASDAQ Opening Bell ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:15 A.M. EST with a video presentation, visualizing the devastation of the earthquake that took place just six months ago in Jean’s homeland of Haiti, followed by remarks from Jean prior to the bell ringing and opening. The event can be accessed live on NASDAQ’s website.

The ringing of the bell is a very meaningful event for Jean, who just returned from Haiti this weekend. “I’ve seen for myself the situation there. It’s still bleak: Rubble and collapsed buildings are everywhere. I need to continue to keep Haiti in the spotlight to make sure promises are kept to my people,” said Jean.

Wyclef Jean Calls For Action On Haiti's Earthquake Anniversary

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:00:00 +0000

It was just six months ago that the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake struck Haiti and five-year-old NGO Yéle Haiti moved the work of repairing and restoring the nation from that disaster to the top of its agenda.

Wyclef Jean, founder of Yéle Haiti, in a series of national opinion pieces coinciding with the anniversary, is making strong calls to action to those who can help as the conditions in Haiti worsen. Jean is asking the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission to release $150 million of pledged funds in the next 90 days to carry out coherent public safety and security plans addressing current violence, kidnappings, abductions, rapes and sexual abuse rampant in the most vulnerable communities. He is also asking the commission to release an additional $150 million for rubble removal.

“I’m a warrior and can’t stand by quietly while promises aren’t kept. I won’t ever surrender,” said Jean. “We’ve seen the situation, and we’ve been listening to others on the ground. It’s still bleak. Rubble and collapsed buildings are everywhere.” Also, in the next 120 days Jean would like to see the commission’s leaders, the United Nations and former Presidents Bush and Clinton commit themselves to collecting the billions of dollars pledged by the international community to the Haitian relief effort, making sure those promises are converted into actual cash, to ensure Haiti’s infrastructure is rebuilt and the country is on track for a new destiny.

Signed Perfumes From Halle Berry And Kim Kardashian Auctioned For Charity

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Makatto.com has some great new celebrity charity auctions.

The auction site, which as formerly run auctions for Britney Spears’ sunglasses and Kobe Bryant’s shoes, is currently offering signed perfumes from Halle Berry and Kim Kardashian, Common’s lap top case, Lindsay Lohan’s Fendi choker, Wendy Williams’ shoes, Audrina Patridge’s ring and Phil Laak’s I-Pod case.

Proceeds from the auctions will go to charities such as the Red Cross, the American Heart Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Yéle Haiti Foundation.

Wyclef Jean's Words Of Wisdom For Young People

Wed, 26 May 2010 15:30:00 +0000

On Sunday, May 23, Wyclef Jean received an honorary doctorate from Western Connecticut State University and delivered a commencement speech to the class of 2010.

The university presented Wyclef with a check for $9,500 for his Yéle Haiti Foundation and the crowd cheered as he encouraged the students to create a vision for their future and chase their dreams.

“Yesterday I gave the commencement speech at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn,” wrote the star in the Huffington Post. "I’ve spoken at lots of places before — the U.N., the White House, awards shows where hundreds of thousands of people were watching. But this was my first commencement gig. I felt a big responsibility. I wondered what words of wisdom I could give to those young adults, about to start a whole new life.

PHOTOS: Wyclef Jean Takes Haitian Amputees On Charity Shopping Spree

Wed, 19 May 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Wyclef Jean, co-founder of the Yéle Haiti Foundation brought much needed joy to three young Haitian amputees on their trip to the States to get urgently needed artificial limbs at Penn Station Kmart on Tuesday, when he took them on a $3000 spending spree.

Wyclef Jean and Sarah Maurice

Wyclef Jean To Take Haitian Amputees On Kmart Charity Shopping Spree

Sun, 16 May 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Wyclef Jean, co-founder of the Yéle Haiti Foundation, will be at the Penn Station Kmart on Tuesday, May 18, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., to help bring much needed joy to three young Haitian amputees on their trip to the States to get urgently needed artificial limbs.

Kmart has graciously donated shopping sprees for the three girls and their hosts, valued at $3,000. Kmart has given the girls no restrictions on what they can purchase—toys, clothing, electronics or beauty products, it’s up to them! Prior to the shopping spree the girls will also be treated to makeovers. Wyclef will also be announcing a special scholarship fund for the girls.

Yéle Haiti worked with the Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF) to provide eight round-trip tickets from their partner Delta Airlines — which included tickets for GMRF staff and the patients’ relatives — between Port-au-Prince and the GMRF’s headquarters in Staten Island, N.Y. The group will then travel to Philadelphia later this week, where the three patients will be treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children, which will be providing the care for free.

Wyclef Jean Marches For Yéle Haiti Foundation

Tue, 11 May 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Grammy Award–winning musician Wyclef Jean and Seton Hall University students marched down South Orange Avenue to drop off donations to the Yéle Haiti Foundation headquarters at noon on Saturday, May 8, 2010.

“Hands On for Haiti” launched on Saturday with a presentation by Yéle Haiti members and Jean in the University Center Main Lounge. Afterward, students gathered with their donated goods on the Green to begin the walk to Yéle’s headquarters, at 6 West South Orange Ave. in South Orange, N.J.

Wyclef Jean Welcomes Haitian Amputees To The US

Tue, 04 May 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Wyclef Jean, co-founder of the Yéle Haiti Foundation, welcomed three young Haitian amputees on their trip to get urgently needed artificial limbs this weekend at JFK airport in NYC.

Yéle Haiti, working with the Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF), has provided eight round-trip tickets between Port-au-Prince and the GMRF’s headquarters in Staten Island, N.Y. The group will then travel to Philadelphia this week where the three patients will be treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children, which will be providing the care for free.

Wyclef Jean's Wife Spearheads Charity Project In Haiti

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:30:00 +0000

The rainy season is in full swing in Haiti and, more than three months after the Jan. 12 earthquake, approximately 1 million Haitians are still living in tents in massive “tent cities,” struggling to keep dry.

Yéle Haiti is taking the lead in the movement to relocate families from dilapidated tents to 1,200 sustainable temporary housing units across the country. The temporary homes are being built now and will be ready for tenants in the next few weeks. Claudinette Jean, mother, fashion designer turned consummate volunteer, and wife of Yéle Haiti co-founder Wyclef Jean, is spearheading this project on behalf of Yéle Haiti.

The housing units, constructed of wood and cement with metal roofs, can last for several years, or until permanent houses are complete. The units will be 12 feet by 12 feet, complete with windows, front doors and well-constructed roofs, and can house up to six people. One hundred of the homes will be built within each of 12 sites. The sites already confirmed include Croix-des-Bouquets, Dèlma and Cité Soleil; the others will be approved by Yéle Haiti in the next few weeks. Women and children currently living in unimaginable conditions since the earthquake will be first to be relocated.

Wyclef Jean To Meet Haitian Amputees At JFK Tonight

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0000

As the recovery efforts in Haiti continue, Wyclef Jean, co-founder of the Yéle Haiti Foundation, will be at JFK Airport tonight (April 22) at 6:10pm to welcome three young Haitian amputees on their trip to get urgently needed artificial limbs.

Yéle Haiti, working with the Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF), provided eight round-trip tickets—which includes tickets for GMRF staff and the patients’ relatives—between Port-au-Prince and the GMRF’s headquarters in Staten Island, N.Y. The group will then travel to Philadelphia, where the three patients will be treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children, which will be providing the care for free.

Margarette Pierre, 17, lost her arm to above her elbow in the Jan. 12 earthquake; Chantal Mori, also 17, lost her arm; and Farah Maurice, 8, lost her leg above her knee. They will all be traveling under the auspices of the U.S. State Department with “humanitarian parole” papers.

Yéle Haiti Brings Haitian Amputees To The US

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0000

As the recovery efforts in Haiti continue, Yéle Haiti Foundation and its co-founder Wyclef Jean have been assisting around the clock. Working with the Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF), the foundation will help three young Haitian amputees get urgently needed artificial limbs.

Yéle will provide eight round-trip tickets—which includes tickets for GMRF staff and the patients’ relatives—between Port-au-Prince and the GMRF’s headquarters in Staten Island, N.Y. The group will then travel to Philadelphia, where the three patients will be treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children, which will be providing the care for free.

NFL and TV Stars Play GameStop Battlefield Bracket Challenge

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:13:00 +0000

The lines have been drawn for the GameStop Battlefield Bracket Challenge, and it’s time to visit www.GameStop.com/BattlefieldBC2 to pick your winners and enter for a chance to win prizes, including a grand prize of $10,000.

Each of the 16 teams in the GameStop Battlefield Bracket Challenge is captained by a different celebrity or athlete, two Major League Gaming professionals serving as team sergeants and two amateur gamers selected by Electronic Arts. These 16 teams will compete in a bracket-style tournament in the Squad Rush multi-player mode until only one team is left standing (Squad Rush is available exclusively for 30 days to GameStop customers who pre-order Battlefield: Bad Company 2 before March 2). To the victor belong the spoils, as the winning team gets bragging rights as well as a $25,000 donation by Electronic Arts to the team’s charity of choice.

Diesel Founder Gives To Wyclef Jean's Yéle Haiti Foundation

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Renzo Rosso, the founder and president of Diesel clothing company, announced today the donation of $250,000 to the Yéle Haiti Foundation, the foundation that Grammy-Award winning musician, producer and social entrepreneur Wyclef Jean started to change lives in this desperately poor but optimistic nation.  

 Wyclef and Rosso have a long standing friendship. Wyclef has performed at several Diesel events over the years and is scheduled to perform also at Rosso’s 55th birthday celebration later this year.  

Renzo says, “I was deeply moved by the horrible tragedy in Haiti. I wanted to do something for the people and support the important work that Wyclef and his foundation have done and are doing for the island nation”.

Hope For Haiti Now Breaks Charity Records

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Friday night’s Hope for Haiti Now telethon, organized by George Clooney, has so far raised more than $57 million for the earthquake relief effort in Haiti.

Besides setting a record for the most money raised by a disaster relief telethon, the charity’s Hope for Haiti album – featuring performances on the telethon — became the largest one-day album pre-order in iTunes history.

Performers included: Robert Pattinson, Christina Aguilera, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen, Halle Berry, Julia Roberts, Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Keith Urban and Madonna among others.

George Clooney Brings Hope To Haiti Tonight

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:30:00 +0000

It will be a big night for charity tonight, as George Clooney’s Hope For Haiti telethon hits TV screens across America and around the world.

Hosted by Clooney, Wyclef Jean and Anderson Cooper, the show will feature performances from Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift in New York, as well as Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting, Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles. There will even be performances from Coldplay, Bono, Jay-Z, The Edge and Rihanna in London.

All performances will be available for download on iTunes for 99 cents on Saturday. The two-hour program will air commercial-free across ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, the CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT on Friday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The special will also air on PBS, TNT, Showtime, Comedy Central, Bravo, E! Entertainment Network, National Geographic Channel, Oxygen, G4, Centric, Current TV, Fuse, MLB Network, Epix, Palladia, SoapNet, Style, Discovery Health and Planet Green, as well as Canada’s CTV, CBC Television, Global Television and MuchMusic. It will also air internationally on BET International, CNN International, National Geographic and MTV Networks International, available in 640 million homes worldwide. “Hope for Haiti” will be the first U.S.-based telethon airing on MTV in China. Facebook and Twitter are the official social media partners who will help to drive donations and tune-in to the telethon.

Wyclef Jean And Rihanna To Join Oprah For Haiti TV Special

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Wyclef Jean has just returned from Haiti and is to appear on the Oprah Show today, January 20, with his eyewitness account.

Jean will bring first-hand footage of the devastation on the streets of Port au Prince, and will talk about how his Yéle Haiti Foundation plans to use the funds raised so far.

CNN’s Dr Sanjay Gupta, who is still currently in Haiti, will also talk about what is happening in the country. Rihanna and Maxwell will perform on the show and lend their voices to relief efforts.

George Clooney Announces Haiti Telethon Stars

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:00:00 +0000

George Clooney has revealed some of the big names he has recruited for this Friday’s Telethon for Haiti.

The show will be broadcast around the world on January 22, and will be hosted by Clooney in LA, Wyclef Jean in New York, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper in Haiti. Donations will go to Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef’s Yéle Haiti Foundation.

The line-up so far includes U2’s Bono, Alicia Keys, Sting, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and many more yet to be announced.

Celebrities’ Quick Response To Haiti Disaster

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Here’s what some celebrities are up to, in response to the earthquake disaster that has destroyed Port-au-Prince and devastated Haiti:

Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt: “The people of Haiti are in desperate need of help. Our organization, Not On Our Watch, will do whatever it can and we know the international community will as well.” Not On Our Watch has donated $1 million in emergency response funds to provide medical services to victims of the disaster.

Wyclef Jean: “Yéle Haiti Foundation has pulled together a group of like minded organizations and first responders in order to help coordinate the delivery of emergency services and materials needed by victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Each of the organizations will undertake their own fundraising and on-the-ground operations, but have agreed to share resources, collaborate when it makes sense and avoid duplication.” Four airlifts of medical and emergency supplies and food have already gone out. ONEXONE, one of the like minded organizations, has also already shipped medical supplies, water and blankets for on-the-ground support.

A Weekend Of Celebrity Giving To Haiti

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Actress Sandra Bullock is the latest star to give big to Haitian earthquake relief over a weekend defined by donations of time and money.

The star has matched last week’s donation of $1 million from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

“I wanted to ensure that my donation would be used immediately to meet the needs of the Haitian people affected by this catastrophic event,” she said. Her donation went to Doctors Without Borders.

Wyclef Jean Asks For Donations For Haitian Quake Victims

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Wyclef Jean is asking for help on behalf of victims of yesterday’s devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Details of damage in the country are still sketchy, but the singer wasted no time in using his Twitter page to ask for donations.

“Please text ‘Yele’ to 501501 to donate $5 to YELE HAITI,” he wrote in the hours following the quake. “Your money will help with relief efforts. They need our help… please help if you can.”

Wyclef Jean And Bono Receive ‘Ripple Of Hope Award’

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer Wyclef Jean, and (RED) founder/U2 front man Bono, were honored this week at a ceremony thrown by The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, where each were awarded the ‘Ripple of Hope’ Award.

“As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from Port-Au-Prince to Darfur,” said Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. “Their efforts evoke the spirit of my father and we are honored to recognize them.”

Jean was honored for his work to inspire change in his native country of Haiti through his Yéle Haiti Foundation.

Hard Rock Serves Up John Lennon For Charity

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Last week, Look To The Stars brought you the news that Yoko Ono had donated John Lennon’s Give Peace A Chance to charity. Now we can reveal that she has also donated another of the singer’s songs to another charity campaign.

The World Hunger Year (WHY), along with Hard Rock Cafe, has released Serve4, the latest in their series of albums designed to fight hunger around the world. Yoko Ono has donated John Lennon’s Gimme Some Truth to the album.

“This is a beautiful step towards world peace,” she said. “By imagining there’s no hunger, like what John sang in his song, we express our strong desire to bring a world in which children will never again suffer from hunger or poverty. Let’s come together and help spread this message around the world. John would have loved the fact that so many illustrious and good meaning partners and organizations have stood up to make this effort together.”