Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) is a non-profit organization founded by Paul Haggis and friends in 2009 that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty around the world. APJ's immediate goal is to serve children and their families in the poorest communities of Haiti by supporting programs focused on education, health, and human dignity. APJ is committed to long-term, sustainable development in direct partnership with the Haitian people. Our model is simple: we believe in empowering local communities, fostering economic growth, and the power of education to change a nation.
Education
APJ is making a substantial, long-term commitment toward growing a new generation of Haiti's future leaders by providing access to quality secondary and higher education. Set on a magnificent campus, at the edge of Port-au-Prince's worst slums, the Academy for Peace and Justice is the first secondary school of its kind in Haiti, serving the most deserving youth in the city. Growing by 400 students each year, the Academy will serve 2,800 underprivileged students at full capacity in 2016. Each student at the Academy receives a full scholarship.
The Artists Institute is a free college for art and technology in the city of Jacmel. The Institute creates modern opportunities for Haiti's underprivileged youth to foster entrepreneurship and business development in local creative industries. It currently offers programs in film, and soon will offer programs in music, audio engineering, and design.
Healthcare
The St. Luke Family Hospital provides quality medical care to the poorest and most vulnerable people in Port-au-Prince. Services provided by the hospital include a modern surgery facility, Haitian and international medical teams, a rehabilitation unit, and a cholera center. The hospital serves 120,000 patients a year.
Dignity
Haiti is a nation of artists, and rhythm and music are a driving force of Haitian culture. APJ supports two after school music programs in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel, serving over 1,300 students.
