CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort)

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CORE
Community Organized Relief Effort
J/P HRO
J/P Haitian Relief Organization
Founded2010 (J/P HRO)
2019 (CORE)
FoundersSean Penn, Ann Lee
TypeNon-profit organization
FocusCOVID-19 testing/contact tracing, wrap-around services, 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/

CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) (formerly J/P Haitian Relief Organization) is a non-profit organization founded by actor Sean Penn in response to the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The organization was founded in 2010 and changed its name in 2019 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]

Origins[]

The organization was founded by actor Sean Penn in the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. J/P stood for Jenkins-Penn, a reference to Sanela Diana Jenkins, whose foundation supported initial relief efforts with Penn.[3] Before starting the organization, Penn had never visited Haiti and did not speak French or Creole. When asked for his comment on his critics, he said he hopes they "die screaming of rectal cancer".[4]

In 2011, Penn said that he had a lifelong commitment to Haiti, and that when he was not working he would be in the country.[5]

J/P HRO changed its name to CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) in 2019 as it expanded its relief efforts beyond Haiti.[6] The organization added Ann Lee as a co-founder.[7][8]

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.[9]

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.[10]

As of 2020, CORE employs a team of over 100 people in Haiti working to rebuild communities.[10]

Operations[]

CORE 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.[11]

COVID-19[]

In response to the testing shortage in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, CORE set up and operated testing sites across the country, working in collaboration with local and state governments to open new sites as well as take over existing sites.[12]

As of August 2020, CORE has administered more than 1.3 million free COVID-19 tests.[8] The organization has implemented guidelines called "The Core 8" to combat the virus, which includes "delivering test results within 48 hours, a government-supported contact tracing system, food and hygiene kits along with financial aid for households with positive case results."[8][13]

Site locations included 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.[14][9]

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.[15]

Labor violation[]

CORE staff complained that they were forced to work 18-hour days, six days a week, without the opportunity to take breaks. Responding to the staff concerns, Penn excoriated the staff, writing in an email that "in every cell of my body is a vitriol for the way your actions reflect so harmfully upon your brothers and sisters in arms". Penn suggested that employees leave their work instead of complaining about conditions.[16] In October 2021, the National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint that Penn and CORE violated federal labor law. According to the charge, Penn "impliedly threatened" his employees with reprisals.[17]

Hurricane relief[]

In the years following Hurricane Matthew, CORE has participated in hurricane relief efforts in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and the United States.[18][6]

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.[19][20]

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.[21]

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.[22][23]

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. ^ Jenkins, Diana (2010-01-23). "Don't Let Haiti's Natural Disaster Become a Man-Made Tragedy". Huffington Post.
  4. ^ Heller, Zoe (March 25, 2011). "The Accidental Activist". NYTimes.com. New York. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  5. ^ Tucker, Daniel (January 6, 2011). "Sean Penn: I'm in Haiti for Life". NBCPhildelphia.com. New York. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "Sean Penn's Haitian Relief Organization Undergoes Rebranding With New Name, Mission Statement". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  7. ^ "Staff". CORE. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Sean Penn ups fight against COVID-19 with relief expansion". AP NEWS. 2020-08-27. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "COVID-19 Relief Effort". CORE. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b "About". CORE. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  11. ^ "J/P HRO, Haitian Relief Organization". Travel Channel. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  12. ^ Simon, Morgan. "Sean Penn On How To Contribute During The Crisis — And Beyond". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  13. ^ "The CORE 8". CORE. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  14. ^ "How Sean Penn Made the Biggest COVID-19 Testing Site in U.S." The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  15. ^ "CORE Open-Source Manual" (PDF). CORE Open-Source Manual. Retrieved June 25, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ Madeleine Aggeler (2021-02-04). "Sean Penn Sends Furious Email to COVID-Vaccine-Site Staffers". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  17. ^ Colin Moynihan (2021-10-28). "Sean Penn the Focus of N.L.R.B. Amid Comments on Hours and Food at Vaccine Site". The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  18. ^ Schultz, Abby. "Sean Penn's CORE Expands Beyond Haiti to the Bahamas". www.barrons.com. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  19. ^ Anthony Bourdain And Sean Penn In Haiti On 'No Reservations' Season Premier Huffington Post February 28, 2011.
  20. ^ Special Features J/P HRO, Haitian Relief Organization Travel Channel web site.
  21. ^ "Sean Penn's Haiti Benefit Draws Bill Clinton, Chili Peppers and Nets $6M".
  22. ^ Kreps, Daniel (2020-05-02). "Hear Sia's New Song 'Saved My Life,' Co-Written by Dua Lipa". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  23. ^ "Listen to Sia's uplifting new song 'Saved My Life'". New Musical Express. 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2020-05-02.

External links[]

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