Artists for Peace and Justice
Founded2009
FounderPaul Haggis
TypeNon-profit organization
Location
Area served
Haiti
Websitewww.apjnow.org

Artists for Peace and Justice is a non-profit organization founded in 2009 by Paul Haggis that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty and enfranchisement in communities around the world. The organization’s immediate goal is to serve the poorest communities in Haiti with programs in education, healthcare, and dignity.[1]

Mission

The goal is to foster economic growth and empower local communities. The main mission is to serve the poorest society in Haiti with courses in education, healthcare, and dignity, through the arts.

History

APJ began after filmmaker Paul Haggis met Father Rick Frechette, an American doctor and community organizer working in Haiti. Father Frechette founded the St. Luke Foundation, a Haitian-run organization providing education, medical care, and humanitarian outreach to over 150,000 people per year.[2][3] Inspired by the work of Father Frechette, Paul Haggis organized friends and colleagues to support the work of the St Luke Foundation, paying particular attention to its education programs and from this effort conceived APJ.[4]

Programs

The organization is currently focused on continuing the construction of the Academy for Peace and Justice in Port-au-Prince, which is administered by the St. Luke Foundation. The Academy opened in October 2010 to 400 students, and has expanded in each subsequent year,[5] now educating 2,500 students.[6]

In addition to expanding the secondary school, Artists for Peace and Justice began construction on a post-secondary school in 2013 called the Artists Institute of Haiti, a free college for art and technology in the coastal city of Jacmel.[4]

External links

References

  1. ^ "Ben Stiller Joins Artists for Peace and Justice Board of Directors". 15 March 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  2. ^ Dekel, Jon. "Haggis' quest for Peace and Justice in Haiti". Canada.com. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Pave the Path to a Brighter Future". St. Luke Foundation for Haiti. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  4. ^ a b Klonoski, Brian (1 February 2013). "RYOT News: Students thriving at Academy for Peace and Justice in Haiti". Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  5. ^ Goldberg, Eleanor (12 January 2012). "Haiti Earthquake Aftermath: Charities Tackle Illiteracy In Country's Slums". Huffington Post. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  6. ^ Helmore, Edward (May 8, 2015). "Hollywood help comes to Haiti, trying to avoid pitfalls of donor-knows-best". The Guardian. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
Category