A new voice for refugees: Jencarlos Canela

Jencarlos Canela with a young refugee at a holiday party for families who were resettled by the IRC in Miami.

Photo: IRC

“I very much identify with the IRC’s mission to help children and their families fleeing dangerous situations. I can’t think of a more rewarding use of my time than to use my voice to support their life-saving work. Being able to help people in need is my dream.”

- Award-winning musician and actor Jencarlos Canela, the first of a number of artists to be announced this year as an IRC Voice.  Jencarlos is the star of Telemundo’s top-rated telenovela, “Más Sabe el Diablo.”  He's had two singles in the Latin Billboard Top 10 and won 2011 Best New Pop Artist of the Year at Premio lo Nuestro.  

Jencarlos has been volunteering with the IRC’s refugee resettlement program in Miami for several years.  His father is a refugee from Cuba who arrived in Miami in 1980 as part of the Mariel Boatlift.

You can read more about Jencarlos in the announcement we posted this afternoon: Latin star Jencarlos Canela joins forces with International Rescue Committee to spotlight needs of war and disaster victims around the world