“Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.”
I got an e-mail last night from a mailing list that I’m on for one of my favorite comedians, Lewis Black. The e-mail was announcing an “Emergency Benefit Concert for Haiti” the event comprised several evenings featuring many different artists all performing at the City Winery in New York in the coming week. My first reaction was very positive, I was impressed that such a series of events could be put together on such short notice. A short way down in the finer print I spotted that the proceeds were going to Wyclef Jean’s YELE. That was distressing considering the allegations being made against that particular charity (see here and here). I sent out some e-mails to those involved asking that they carefully consider where they want to donate the money. I really doubt that it will make a difference, but I also felt like I had to say something. There are few things worse than a shady charity.
Addendum 20 January 2010:
More information here regarding the allegations against the YELE Haiti Foundation including Wyclef Jean’s brief statement in which he refused to address the payments made to him by the foundation.
Allegations are not proven on yele. I personally don't believe them. Nevertheless, we are equally dividing our benefit between yele, doctors without border, and another on the ground. See our site citywinery dot com
We will be distributing 100% of the proceeds equally to three organizations:
•Partners in Health (www.pih.org) •Doctors without Borders (www.Doctorswithoutborders.org) and •Wyclef Jean’s YELE (www.yele.org)
I respect your decision--there is nothing worse that fraud when it comes to giving--especially under these horrible circumstances. There are questions, as YELE is a new non-profit, but sadly, all non-profits have large operating costs associated and the bigger professional ones are better about covering up the costs in showing off their percentage of actual distribution--from the UJA Federation to the Red Cross, all have these costs. It remains to be seen what the actual story is with Wyclef. In fact, on Friday, the Consulate General to Haiti gave us a letter suggesting YELE as the organization to distribute the funds. (attached) Nevertheless, to do our best to not only raise awareness, but make sure some of our efforts absolutely reach the people who need it, we are distributing it to three worthy organizations. Thank-you for writing, for caring, and for your support of this important cause. We all need to do more.
-Michael Dorf