International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Who We Are › IRC Voices › Jencarlos Canela › Jencarlos Canela

Jencarlos Canela

Jencarlos Canela is an award-winning musician and star of Telemundo’s top-rated telenovela, “Mi Corazon Insiste.” Inspired by his father’s journey as a refugee from Cuba, Jencarlos has been volunteering with the IRC in Miami for several years.

Jencarlos and the IRC

“I very much identify with the IRC’s mission to help children and their families fleeing dangerous situations,” Jencarlos says. “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.”

The Latest

November 8, 2012 | Blog
Photos from last night's Freedom Award Dinner
Here are the first photos from last night's Freedom Award Dinner in New York, benefiting the IRC. Special guests included Michael Bloomberg, David Burke, Jencarlos Canela, Anna Deveare Smith, Eden Grinshpan and Scott Pelley.
March 23, 2012 | Blog
In the News: Jencarlos Canela, the IRC and a Guinness world record
January 12, 2012 | Blog
Marking the second anniversary of the earthquake

See more stories about Jencarlos Canela

Jencarlos in Haiti

  • <p>Two years on, many earthquake survivors who lost their homes are still living in tent camps and other makeshift selttlements in around the ravaged capital city, Port-au-Prince. Jencarlos visited a camp called St. Etienne and saw a &quot;child-friendly space&quot; run by the IRC where children were singing, dancing, reading and drawing. The IRC sets up these spaces within camps so that thousands of children have safe places to play, learn, and socialize.</p>
  • <p>Jencarlos was the special guest at the opening of a new meeting place for a Girls&#39; Group in the Teleco camp. There he met 30 girls ranging in age from 9&ndash;17 who were singing, dancing and laughing. The IRC created these groups for young survivors of rape and other forms of sexual violence, giving them a place to heal and to build positive self-esteem. The members use role playing and theater to help them deal with physical, emotional and mental abuse. Jencarlos was invited to judge a singing competiton and declared all of the contestants winners.</p>
  • <p>Jencarlos stops to speak with two residents of St. Etienne after seeing how one water pump can radically improve the lives of people in their &nbsp;community.&nbsp;</p>
  • <p>Jencarlos visiting the Mega 4 camp, where he watched some very talented young soccer players scrimmage.&nbsp;</p>
  • <p>Jencarlos and children from St. Etienne posed for a group photo. &ldquo;I identify a lot with the mission of the IRC in helping children and their families who flee from dangerous situations&rdquo; says Jencarlos. &nbsp;&ldquo;I cannot imagine a work more gratifying than using my time and voice to support their humanitarian work. &nbsp;Helping people in need has always been my dream.&rdquo;</p>
Launch Slideshow

Singer, actor and IRC Voice Jencarlos Canela recently visited IRC programs in Haiti that are helping those who lost homes and loved ones in the massive earthquake of January 2010. Jencarlos had the opportunity to meet hundreds of children and their families who are still displaced nearly two years after the disaster. 

More Slideshows

In the Media

November 8, 2012 | Media Coverage
Kissinger, Bloomberg Honor IRC at Freedom Award Dinner
December 19, 2011 | Media Coverage
Jencarlos Canela realiza labor humanitaria en Haití
December 16, 2011 | Media Coverage
Jencarlos Canela viajó a Haití

See more stories about Jencarlos Canela