International Community Parties at the CEEFLAT for a Good Cause

In light of all the attention Haiti has been getting lately with Bill Clinton’s appointment as the first ever United Nations special envoy, the United Nations Association Young Professionals for International Cooperation (YPIC) Southern New York chapter hosted a fundraiser to raise money for Haiti at Greenpoint’s CEEFLAT gallery space on Saturday.

The fundraiser, which raised $5,000, was the second in a series of three events that comprise The Haiti Expedition Project, which aims to raise money to fund efforts by NGO’s in Haiti to improve infrastructure, education and environment.

“There is an extraordinary need in Haiti right now,” said Kevin Jamison, the director of the European Affairs Committee for the United Nations Association YPIC of Southern New York. He has been doing humanitarian work since he first visited Haiti on a mission with his Virginia Church when he was a teenager. “We feel a responsibility to people that live on a dollar a day and beg and ask for food. Because we’re humans, because we live here, we feel the degradation of human society there.”

The fundraiser was a grassroots effort spearheaded by Jamison, YPIC Chair Patricia Sacristan and numerous sponsors, which included the CEEFLAT, Fiji Water, TD Bank and C-Town.

Jamison enlisted the efforts of his acquaintance Haitian artist Gaalo (Herve Sabine)—who celebrated his 33rd birthday at the fundraiser—and Haitian musicians Monvelino Alexis and the Funklores and Evens Gregoire. Manhattan Avenue Peruvian restaurant Pio Pio Riko donated food and Friends Kevin Corcoran and Peter Bragino donated their three-story gallery space for the night.

“It’s a worthwhile cause,” said Corcoran. “Donating the place for a night is not that big of a deal.”

Gregoire said he was proud and happy to perform at the fundraiser. He was happy that there are people who are working on helping his country.

“I’m very happy people take time to get involved to help the situation,” said Gregoire with the help of a translator. “It makes me feel proud to know that there are people out there that care.”

Colombia native Sacristan has lived in France, Italy, the United States and Haiti. She said she spends about a third of her time to working on improving the situation in Haiti, a country where, despite the rampant poverty, people live with dignity.

“People are not aware of what’s in Haiti; they see poverty but they don’t see hope,” said Sacristan. “Haiti is so rich in culture. There is a lot of hope there.”