CORE (formerly J/P Haitian Relief Organization)

CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort, formerly J/P Haitian Relief Organization) is a non-profit organization founded by the American actor Sean Penn in response to the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The organization later changed its name to receive contracts and donations to work globally.[1] In March 2020, CORE began administering free COVID-19 tests in the U.S. amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] Sites include Los Angeles, New York, Oakland, Chicago, Georgia, Navajo Nation, New Orleans, and other communities.[3]

CORE
Community Organized Relief Effort
J/P HRO
J/P Haitian Relief Organization
Founded2010
FounderSean Penn, Sanela Diana Jenkins (J/P HRO)
TypeNon-profit organization
FocusCOVID-19 testing/contact tracing, displaced persons camp and relocations management, health, education, community development and livelihoods, engineering and construction, including rubble removal
Location
Area served
Haiti, Bahamas, Caribbean, Puerto Rico, USA
Websitecoreresponse.org/

Origins

The organization changed its name to CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) in 2019 as it expanded its relief efforts beyond Haiti.[4]

J/P stood for Jenkins-Penn, a reference to Sanela Diana Jenkins, whose foundation supported initial relief efforts, with Sean Penn.[5]

Staffing

As of June 2020, CORE employs nearly 1,000 people working on COVID-19 response at 45 testing sites, including 10 mobile sites, across the United States.[6]

In the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, J/P HRO employed nearly 350 people, 95 percent of whom were Haitian, to provide health, education and community development, and housing and economic opportunities.[7]

As of 2020, CORE employs a team of over 100 people in Haiti working to rebuild communities.[7]

Operations

The organization works with the support of and in collaboration with local and national government leaders, community-based organizations, other international NGOs, UN agencies, donors, and community members themselves.[8]

It implements sustainable and prosperous programs within underserved communities and vulnerable areas through a holistic approach to relief and preparation efforts that aims to empower communities from within by identifying and solving deep-rooted issues.[7]

Haiti

In the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, J/P HRO managed the Pétion-Ville and Cité Maxo displaced persons camps, supporting nearly 60,000 internally displaced persons. By the end of 2013, J/P HRO achieved the successful relocation of all remaining camp families.[7][9]

In total, the organization has cleared more than 600,000 cubic meters (m3)—approximately 38,000 dump truck loads—of earthquake debris and rubble from the city to date, and has been recognized as a leader in the overall rubble removal effort for safety and efficiency. It also has rebuilt and retrofitted badly damaged structures, including educational and medical facilities, and built new homes, in accordance with a "build back better" approach.[8][9]

J/P HRO treated 500,000 patients at two community clinics following the earthquake, providing free emergency and primary medical care for a nominal sum. The clinics also led broad public education campaigns on good health and hygiene practice.[10]

In an effort geared towards sustainability, the organization has also created educational and enrichment opportunities for the community members, while forging partnerships with small businesses in Port-au-Prince. Over 6,000 students have been enrolled in school programs and 2,500 students have been given business training.[8][11]

In response to the cholera outbreak in late 2010, J/P HRO teamed up with the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization to help stop the spread of the disease.[12]

A decade after the earthquake, CORE continues to operate successful year-round programs in Haiti, and has expanded its efforts to include programs centered on reforestation (Haiti Takes Root), education, health, and community development, including the Women’s Economic Participation Consortium program supporting women’s entrepreneurship.[8]

During the to COVID-19 health crisis, the organization is currently operating a test site at its School of Hope and working with the Ministry of Health to provide wrap-around services to the community focused on education and preventing the spread of the disease.[11]

COVID-19

In response to the testing shortage in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, CORE is setting up and operating testing sites across the country, working in collaboration with local and state governments to open new sites as well as take over existing sites.[13]

Since beginning COVID-19 testing, CORE has helped administer over 500,000 free tests (as of June 2020).[3]

As of June 2020, CORE operates 35 stationed sites and 10 mobile sites and plans to continue opening more sites, specifically in underserved, vulnerable communities.[13][14]

Current site locations include Los Angeles, Oakland, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans, New York, North Carolina, Navajo Nation, Napa, Bakersfield, and a “super-site” at Dodger Stadium, where up to 6,000 people are tested daily.[15][6]

Tests are administered using a nasopharyngeal or oral swab via drive-through or walk-up testing. The organization is currently developing a contact tracing program as well.[14]

Hurricane relief

CORE played a pivotal role in relief efforts following Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which wreaked havoc on Haiti as it was still recovering from damage caused by the 2010 earthquake.[16]

The organization led the post-disaster response to Hurricane Matthew, removing debris, repairing 41 miles of road to help provide assistance to over 800,000 affected people. In total, CORE rebuilt or repaired 4,000 houses to provide safe housing for 25,000 Haitians.[9]

In the years following Hurricane Matthew, CORE has participated in hurricane relief efforts in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and the United States.[17][4]

In an effort to address the most urgent community needs in the U.S. Gulf states, CORE is currently operating a disaster preparedness training program, working with young adults from economically challenged neighborhoods and marginalized communities along the Hurricane Belt.[18]

Publicity and fundraising

The Travel Channel's food show No Reservations, hosted by Anthony Bourdain, featured Haiti as the 2011 season opener which first aired on February 28, 2011. Penn and J/P HRO were featured prominently in the show including a tour of one of the IDP camps.[12][19]

On January 10, 2015, Penn held his fourth annual Sean Penn & Friends Help Haiti Home fundraiser in Beverly Hills, California, which raised over $6 million for the organization. The event featured many celebrities including former United States president, Bill Clinton and performances by Coldplay's Chris Martin and Red Hot Chili Peppers, who closed the event with a 30-minute set.[20]

The proceeds from downloading and streaming of Saved My Life, a song by Sia and co-written by Dua Lipa, performed during the online COVID Is No Joke live comedy fest hosted by Americares during the COVID-19 pandemic benefits AmeriCares and CORE.[21][22]

References
  1. Gardner, Chris (2019-01-05). "Sean Penn's Haitian Relief Organization Undergoes Rebranding With New Name, Mission Statement". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
  2. Isaza, Marcela (April 11, 2020). "Sean Penn wants to 'save lives' with free COVID-19 testing". The Associated Press. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  3. "COVID-19 Relief Effort". CORE Response: Community Organized Relief Effort. 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2020-06-25 – via coreresponse.org.
  4. "Sean Penn's Haitian Relief Organization Undergoes Rebranding With New Name, Mission Statement". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  5. Jenkins, Diana (2010-01-23). "Don't Let Haiti's Natural Disaster Become a Man-Made Tragedy". Huffington Post.
  6. "COVID-19 Relief Effort". CORE. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  7. "About". CORE. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  8. "Programs". CORE. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  9. "Impact". CORE. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  10. "J/P HRO, Haitian Relief Organization". Travel Channel. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  11. "Community Building". CORE. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  12. Anthony Bourdain And Sean Penn In Haiti On 'No Reservations' Season Premier Huffington Post February 28, 2011.
  13. Simon, Morgan. "Sean Penn On How To Contribute During The Crisis — And Beyond". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  14. "CORE Open-Source Manual" (PDF). CORE Open-Source Manual. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  15. "How Sean Penn Made the Biggest COVID-19 Testing Site in U.S." The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  16. "Emergency Relief". CORE. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  17. Schultz, Abby. "Sean Penn's CORE Expands Beyond Haiti to the Bahamas". www.barrons.com. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  18. "Disaster Preparedness". CORE. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  19. Special Features J/P HRO, Haitian Relief Organization Travel Channel web site.
  20. "Sean Penn's Haiti Benefit Draws Bill Clinton, Chili Peppers and Nets $6M".
  21. Kreps, Daniel (2020-05-02). "Hear Sia's New Song 'Saved My Life,' Co-Written by Dua Lipa". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  22. "Listen to Sia's uplifting new song 'Saved My Life'". New Musical Express. 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
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