Goodwill Ambassador

Jimmy Jean-Louis is PADF’s Goodwill Ambassador for Haiti’s Children, the first person to hold such a position with the non-profit organization. As the Goodwill Ambassador, Jimmy has a high-profile role in PADF’s new campaign “I Too Am Haiti,” which seeks to engage the U.S. public in resolving forced labor, trafficking and exploitation of Haiti’s children.

“The exploitation of children is a stain on human dignity,” says Jimmy. “It is within our reach to create a better future for these children.”

Jimmy took on the responsibility of the Goodwill Ambassador for Haiti’s Children because of his first-hand knowledge of the lack of opportunities and poverty in his native land.

Born in Petion-Ville, Haiti, Jimmy’s family was poor and struggled to make ends meet. Jimmy’s mother managed to move to France. When Jimmy was 12 years old, he was able to rejoin his mother in France. Although France offered opportunities for Jimmy, life was still tough. Jimmy studied theater and found some work in Paris as an actor. He eventually made it to the United States and obtained roles in popular television programs and movies.

Best known for his role as “The Haitian” in NBC’s hit series “Heroes,” Jimmy has acted in other programs, including “The Shield,” and had roles in a variety of Hollywood films, such as “Monster in Law,” “A Diary of a Tired Black Man.” He divides his professional time between Los Angeles and Europe.

Despite the distance from Haiti, he never lost his feeling of connection and empathy for the daily struggles of his compatriots, who are suffering from poverty, disease, and natural disasters.

To help the people of his beloved native land, Jimmy founded the non-profit Hollywood Unites For Haiti (www.hufh.org) in 2008.

As a lifelong athlete and semi-professional soccer player, Jimmy saw sports as a means of helping poor Haitian children rise above their circumstances, learn about health and team play, and become role models for their communities. He arranged for donations from his Hollywood soccer club (including money and equipment) to be sent to Haiti and distributed by local clubs for use in poor neighborhoods.

In subsequent trips to Haiti, Jimmy has brought various celebrities and elected officials with him to tour the country and see both its beauty and tremendous challenges. It is his hope that he can use his influence to improve the lives of everyday Haitians and bring worldwide attention to their plight.

Jimmy’s work as PADF’s Goodwill Ambassador for Children is another step in his mission to help Haitians overcome their challenges and create a better future.