We Are the World 2010 Video

The synergy in thiat room was amazing- I get chills just watching this video. You can donate at http://www.world25.org/ to help Haiti.

Haiti Volunteer Oppurtunities

While the total cost of rebuilding Haiti is still unknown, Jean-Max Bellerive the prime minister of the republic of Haiti is vowing to build a prosperous future for his country. In a recent article he said “A major focus of our rebuilding will be providing jobs for the people of Haiti, and tourism will be an important component of that effort.” Additionally “we will report regularly on our progress. Donors will see the impact of their support. We expect to be held accountable - not only by our supporters but by our citizens and by the memories of so many lost loved ones.”

Personally, I hope this type of transparency remains during the rebuilding process, and as long as it does I foresee continued support and new businesses poring into the country for years to come.

If you or your business would like to volunteer in Haiti, here is a list of organizations who are actively recruiting volunteers for Haiti relief efforts.

1. The American Baptist International Ministries http://www.internationalministries.org/ Doctors and nurse practitioners interested in becoming part of a team are asked to email BIMvolunteers@abc-usa.org to register.

2. The newly-created FlightToCrisis seeks volunteers to join its group of physicians, nurses, clergy, medical specialists, engineers, and first responders. To apply, email reliefcharterflights2haiti@gmx.com and briefly state your area of expertise, and how you feel you may be able to assist. (They ask for only serious inquiries, please.)

3. Doctors, nurses and EMT's who wish to volunteer: The Jatukik Providence Foundation http://www.jatukikprovidence.org/ is offering free flights from Miami to Haiti. Travel dates and arrangements are relatively flexible. To apply, contact Fr. Jean-Claude Atusameso, executive director of the Washington, DC, based non-profit at 202-429-2067 or via email: jatusameso@jatukikprovidence.org

4. Medical professionals and French/Creole translators are sought by Partners in Development, http://www.pidonline.org/ an Ipswich, Mass., nonprofit that has been helping Haiti's needy since 1990. Interested volunteers can apply on there website.

7. A multi-agency group called Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) is now in Haiti assessing what the animals need are. They are lining up volunteers with a history of responding to major disasters and with experience handling small and/or large animals. If you are interested in volunteering, please email bfvolcoord@bestfriends.org

8. Mission-Haiti http://www.mission-haiti.org/ Most babies in Haiti are born at home on a dirt floor. If it is a complicated birth, the mother and the baby often do not make it. We have a couple women in Ti-Riviere willing to be trained to be midwives. If you have this knowledge and you are willing to spend a week in Haiti training them, we need you. If you would like more information on this volunteer opportunity, please contact Colleen at 605-526-4299 or colleen@mission-haiti.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
For more volunteer opportunities in Haiti visit www.tonic.com

Wyclef's Response to Accusations from Smoking Gun

Last Week we shared some developments released by thesmokinggun.com in regard to Wyclef's non-profit organization Yele. This is his response to the criticism his organization received for how the money was spent in previous years. To read my original post click here

Say It Ain't So Wyclef?

ACCORDING TO THE SMOKING GUN:

The Haiti earthquake has already triggered hundreds of thousands of donations to musician Wyclef Jean's charitable foundation, which expects to raise upwards of $1 million a day in the disaster's wake. However, Internal Revenue Service records show the group has a lackluster history of accounting for its finances, and that the organization has paid the performer and his business partner at least $410,000 for rent, production services, and Jean's appearance at a benefit concert.

Though the Wyclef Jean Foundation, which does business as Yele Haiti Foundation, was incorporated 12 years ago--and has been active since that time--the group only first filed tax returns in August 2009. That month, the foundation provided the IRS with returns covering calendar years 2005, 2006, and 2007--the only periods for which it has publicly provided a glimpse at its financial affairs. In 2006, Jean's charity reported contributions of $1 million, the bulk of which came from People magazine in exchange for the first photos of a pregnant Angelina Jolie (the actress reportedly directed that the publication's payment go to Jean's charity, not her personally).

 As seen on the following pages from the foundation's 2006 tax return, the group paid $31,200 in rent to Platinum Sound, a Manhattan recording studio owned by Jean and Jerry Duplessis, who, like Jean, is a foundation board member. A $31,200 rent payment was also made in 2007 to Platinum Sound. The rent, tax returns assure, "is priced below market value." The recording studio also was paid $100,000 in 2006 for the "musical performance services of Wyclef Jean at a benefit concert." That six-figure payout, the tax return noted, "was substantially less than market value."

The return, of course, does not address why Jean needed to be paid to perform at his own charity's fundraiser. But the largest 2006 payout--a whopping $250,000--went to Telemax, S.A., a for-profit Haiti company in which Jean and Duplessis were said to "own a controlling interest." The money covered "pre-purchased...TV airtime and production services" that were part of the foundation's "outreach efforts" in Haiti. No further description of these services was offered, though the return claimed that "the fees paid are below market" and that the use of Telemax was the "most efficient way of providing these services." The group's tax returns also report "consultant" payments totaling $300,000 between 2005-2007, while the 2006 return reported nearly $225,000 in "promotion and PR" costs. These expenses are not itemized further in the IRS returns. Continue Reading

& Then Star's charity repeatedly dissolved after failing to file reports

JANUARY 15--Musician Wyclef Jean's charitable foundation--now the recipient of many donations big and small in the wake of the Haiti earthquake--has repeatedly had its corporate status dissolved for failing to file required state disclosure reports, records show. As seen below, the Florida Division of Corporations has, on four separate occasions over the past five years, sanctioned the Yele Haiti Foundation (the charity was incorporated in Florida in 1998 as the Wyclef Jean Foundation, but formally changed its name two months ago). The longest involuntarily dissolution lasted 26 months, ending in November 2008 when Jean's organization provided Florida officials with overdue annual reports disclosing the identities of the group's officers and directors, its registered agent, and office address. The foundation's most recent dissolution occurred in September 2009, but was vacated a month later when the 37-year-old Jean's group filed its disclosure report. As TSG reported yesterday, the Jean foundation's records delinquency extended to the filing of its tax returns--and could make a prospective donor question whether the organizationally challenged foundation is a wise choice for disaster relief contributions. In August 2009, the group filed overdue tax returns for 2005, 2006, and 2007, documents showing that Jean and fellow board member Jerry Duplessis paid themselves at least $410,000 for services provided to the foundation. Duplessis, a bass player who has toured with Jean, co-owns a New York City recording studio with the performer, as well as a Haiti-based production company. Continue Reading>>
Source:www.thesmokinggun.com
 
I surely hope and pray that the current donations are going to the right places.

Haiti The Aftermath & How You Can Help

Please help as much as you can!

Supplies That Are Needed:
- Cots and tents that will be instrumental in providing temporary shelter to those who have been displaced.
- Medical supplies such as band aids, alcohol, peroxide, etc.
- Water and non-perishable food items.
- Generators and Industrial supplies for building will be needed for rebuilding.
- Supplies for children such as diapers, baby clothes, wipes and bottles are of great need as well.

Additional Ways You can Help
You can help via Text Message
• “Yele” to 501501 to donate $5 to Wyclef Jean’s Yéle Foundation;
• “Haiti” to 85944 to donate $5 to Rescue Union Mission and MedCorp International;
• “Haiti” to 25383 to donate $5 to the International Rescue Committee;
• “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross in the U.S.;
• “Haiti” to 45678 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army in Canada (Canada only).

Donations show up as one-time charges on the contributor’s next cell phone bill. (Amounts are in U.S. dollars, and standard text-messaging fees apply.)

MJB opens up The Mary J Blige Center in Yonkers

I love when celebrities use there star power and money to advocate for a cause bigger than themselves. Mary J Blige who is gearing up for up for her ninth studio album in December, just celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new facility in Yonkers New York for the non-profit that she and music executive Steve Stoute co founded in 2007. The organization is called Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN), and it is dedicated to helping all women gain the confidence and skills they need to reach their full individual potential. The new center is a place where women can be educated, empowered and encouraged through tough times during their lives.

Thanks Getty Images :-) MJB, Steve Stoute, and Frida Giannini

Mary J Blige speaking to supporters of FFawn & Mary J Blige Center

This is a very personal cause to Blige who herself has struggled with domestic violence and drug abuse in the past. "As a child, I never saw a confident woman; I only saw women being abused," said Blige, a Yonkers native. "That's why I am here; that's why FFAWN exists. I want every girl and woman who walks through this door to know that she is loved, no matter who is telling her she isn't loved."

Congratulations and thank you to Mary J Blige, Gucci's Frida Giannini and the Westchester Jewish Community Services program for making this center possible.

For more info on FFAWN Click Here

New Music: Alicia Keys

Alicia @ Fashion Week NY

I've been a fan of Alicia Keys since her first album "Songs In A Minor" in 2001. In less then 10 years she has won more than 80 awards from organizations that have applauded her for her musical talents. Since her last release 2 years ago, she's been focusing on Keep A Child Alive, a non-profit organization she co-founded and serves as the Global Ambassador for. I applaud Alicia for using her voice and star power to help children with HIV in Africa and India. To make a donation or to find out how you can help Click Here.

Recently, I found out and was glad to hear Alicia is back in the studio finishing up her new album scheduled for a November release. Just yesterday she released her new single "Doesn't Mean Anything" that will be available on Itunes 9.22.09. You can check it out here: