Amy Winehouse Foundation Announced; Will Help Addicts, Children

Amy Winehouse's family is hoping she may be remembered for more than self-destructive behavior and tabloid headlines. In the wake of the singer's tragic death, they're establishing a namesake charitable organization in her honor.

Mitch Winehouse, Amy's father, announced at her funeral in London Tuesday that he plans to create the Amy Winehouse Foundation, according to the Daily Mail.

The organization will provide support for those dealing with substance abuse and possibly also include a rehabilitation center. The foundation will also benefit children and horses, two things she was extremely passionate about.

Mitch Winehouse had been in New York with a relative when he heard of Any's death, the Daily Mail reports. At that very moment, he knew what he needed to do:

"I was with my cousin Michael when I heard and straight away I said I wanted an Amy Winehouse Foundation, something to help the things she loved - children, horses, but also to help those struggling with substance abuse."

He added that his plans for the Amy Winehouse Foundation are rooted in hope of systemic change.

"In this country, if you cannot afford a private rehabilitation clinic, there is a two-year waiting list for help. With the help of Keith Vaz MP, we are trying to change that."

Amy Winehouse herself has supported a number of causes, including foundations committed to raising awareness about climate change, hearing loss and HIV. In 2010, Winehouse donated her song "Back To Black" to the Global Fund's "Born HIV Free" campaign, according to Look To The Stars.

She had also expressed interest in supporting budding musicians in St. Lucia, where she lived and vacationed. Breaking Travel News reports that Senator Chastanet of St. Lucia remembered her with gratitude in a statement:

"We were fortunate to see another side of Amy, and will be forever grateful for the acts of kindness and compassion she extended to less fortunate Saint Lucians during her visits with us."

Winehouse's funeral took place at Edwarebury Cemetery in London. Besides announcing her foundation, Mitch Winehouse also told the crowd that Amy had kicked her drug habit three years ago, despite even her doctors disbelief in her ability to overcome her addiction, according to the International Business Times. He recalled an earlier statement she had made:

"She said, 'Dad I've had enough, I can't stand the look on your and the family's faces anymore.' She was not depressed... She was the happiest she has been for years."

The cause of death is still under investigation.

Winehouse's body was cremated later in the day Tuesday. According to the International Business Times, Mitch Winehouse's last words to his daughter were:

"Goodnight my angel. Sleep tight. Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much."

Watch Related Raw Video: Amy Winehouse's parents meet mourners

Comments

[bgofca]

03:21 AM on 07/30/2011

i hope they will be putting a portion of the funds from here record sales since her albums are selling a lot now.

[Nicholas Roy]

09:08 AM on 07/28/2011

Amy Winehouse dead due to overdose (all over the news)....What about Army Sgt Edward W. Koehler July 18, 2011; Army Sgt Brian K. Mowery July 18, 2011; Army Sgt Omar A. Jones July 18, 2011; Army Staff Sgt James M. Christen July 19, 2011; Army Sgt Jacob Molina July 19, 2011- KIA in Afghanistan?

[kemcha]

09:38 PM on 07/27/2011

Does anyone see the irony here? Amy Winehouse Foundation helps crack addicts become better crack addicts? lols That's like the Michael Jackson Foundation setting up a foundation to help pedophiles.

[JDHARTIL]

02:58 PM on 07/27/2011

Hopefully some good will now come from their daughters sad death at such a young age. There are just so many suffering from addiction and it sure is not easy to beat the habit. I seen too many friends lose their lives early and they surely did not want to but were completely powerless over their addiction. Oh how they tried, but as I was told there are three options- Recovery, Insanity or Death. There is not a 4th option

[MichaelRCooke]

01:53 PM on 07/27/2011

It is a fitting tribute, I hope it thrives and helps many people.

[kenhamlett]

01:49 PM on 07/27/2011

Ms. Winehouse's family has behaved in a very dignified manner during what must be for them the darkest of days. Clearly, they tried to help her so many ways and times during her life, but addictions are so difficult to overcome. Establishing this foundation is a very admirable and positive way to both remember their talented daughter and to help others facing the same illness that consumed and then took Ms. Winehouse.

[GraphicMatt]

01:24 PM on 07/27/2011

Hopefully this foundation will be able to provide help to those that need it.

[M Zahran Sallay]

01:11 PM on 07/27/2011

the people around her should have tried more to help her beat her inner demons when she was alive....

[blueplano]

02:09 PM on 07/27/2011

And you know how much they tried because...........?

[M Zahran Sallay]

09:39 PM on 07/27/2011

even though i 'm not a big fan of hers i followed her career and her various issues carefully.

her parents and close friends tried helping her but it appears management, record companies, various people in her entourage didn't as much as they could have wanted to....

http://www.3news.co.nz/Should-the-music-industry-have-helped-Winehouse/tabid/418/articleID/220202/Default.aspx

[SteveSFM]

12:19 PM on 07/27/2011

Let's see her record company and any other concern that made money off her art kick in some generous contributions to this worthy cause.

[Nostrodamus]

11:24 AM on 07/27/2011

If only they could have created this foundation to help Amy Winehouse when she still lived.

[waspbust]

11:16 AM on 07/27/2011

It is sad that Amy passed, but this too much attention (inlcuding my own comment). She produced one great song. People in the yUK need diversions, such as her death and their so-called prince's marriage, because of the sorry state of their country, so anything that happens there that is not about their economy, they use to take away attention from the important issues facing the yUK: 1) the many countries that want their stolen art back, 2) the people that want compensation for the damage to the American Gulf Coast, 3) the people who want compensation from IG for stealing their assets, 4) the countries that want their land back that was stolen by Britain, and the 5) myriad of people who (e.g. Africa) that are going to sue the yUK in international court for crimes against humanity.

[108vc]

11:23 AM on 07/27/2011

if the attention can help someone, than it's worth it

[SteveSFM]

12:16 PM on 07/27/2011

Oh, look. Someone exploited a tragic loss in order to indulge their obsessive dislike of the United Kingdom.

How thoughtful.

[J Smith 01]

11:01 AM on 07/27/2011

Narrowing it down to "substance-abusing" artists will peobably be more meaningful and effective.

[maribelles]

12:09 PM on 07/27/2011

Indeed. And their enabling friends and buddies, who probably just think its part of a cool image and not a march towards death.

[Rosalind Barclay]

09:56 AM on 07/27/2011

I have always liked Amy Winehouse. I hate that SHE felt that she could not be helped. Reviewing the tapes of her last stage performance, Amy was close to tears many times. Often, others do not know the private ways that a person suffers because the person does not want to be a burden. I have a feeling that Amy may have wanted a rest from her problems. I sincerely hope that Amy can now just rest in peace.

Many thanks to her family for establishing this foundation to help others in their private struggles.

[sillyfrog]

10:54 AM on 07/27/2011

I know several people that fight this battle alone mostly because they lack money and family and friends don't know what to do. Even with money and support it is a battle with a monster.

[msperry1123]

11:18 AM on 07/27/2011

Well said! Fanned & faved