Monthly Archives: December 2009

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JBJSF Thanks ICAP for their Long Time Support & Generous Donation

This year marked an unprecedented third time that the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has been selected as one of the charities that will benefit from ICAP’s generosity.

Since the inception of Charity Day in 1993, ICAP has raised over $100 million for more than 700 well-deserving causes worldwide. In 2008, the company raised a record $16.3 million globally on Charity Day.

As part of the day’s activities, ICAP hosted several of the charities’ celebrity spokespeople to rally employee enthusiasm and interact with clients to boost trading volumes.

“What an incredibly innovative way ICAP has found to engage employees in a magnificently executed expression of social responsibility. Their ‘Charity Day – Every Deal Counts’ program will have lasting impact in so many communities throughout the world. Thank you ICAP!” said Mimi Box, Executive Director of Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

For more information on ICAP, please Click HERE

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MAYOR BOOKER AND JON BON JOVI CUT RIBBON & OPEN GENESIS PROJECT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Newark, NJ – December 8, 2009 – Mayor Cory A. Booker was joined by Jon Bon Jovi, North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr., HELP USA Chairman Maria Cuomo Cole, and other local leaders to cut the ribbon to open HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes on Oriental Street and Mt. Pleasant Avenue in the City’s North Ward. This public-private partnership with Mr. Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul Foundation and developer HELP USA has produced 51 new units of affordable housing with support services for low-income and special-needs person. The residents includes environmentally-friendly “green” features such as a green roof, other components of New Jersey’s Green Futures program and qualifies for LEED certification. There will be a 2,500 square-foot community center as well.

“These new homes will provide much needed stability and comfort to Newark families. High quality, affordable housing, connected to community activities, social services, employment training and opportunities, this is the model for successfully redeveloping our neighborhoods. The public-private partnership with HELP USA, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, the State and the City is just the most recent of a number of exciting new projects that we are supporting to create new, quality, affordable housing,” said Mayor Booker. Under the Mayor’s leadership, the City has doubled the production of affordable housing and is moving to continue the trend.

“Newark’s time is now,” said Jon Bon Jovi, “As the Mayor enhances the city’s offerings to attract visitors, businesses and new residents, we are working together to meet the needs of current residents who may not be able to afford market rate rents. Many of the residents who will live in these homes will have some type of special need, be it rehabilitation, medical care, child care, or vocational training, and we want to see to it that those needs are affordably and realistically met.”

Over the past four years, Mr. Bon Jovi and The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation have been instrumental in providing homes to more than 200 low-income individuals and families throughout the country. The estimated construction cost of the Newark project is $10.4 million.

“HELP USA is proud to be a part of this dynamic public private partnership. Under the innovative leadership of Mayor Booker, Governor Jon Corzine, visionary and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, HELP USA will be able to bring its years of experience in developing service enriched permanent housing to working families and people living with HIV/AIDS in Newark’s North Ward,” said Ms. Cole.

The families residing at HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes will receive a continuum of services to promote family stabilization, case management, and employment services provided both by HELP staff and local providers. In addition, HELP’s community center will offer programs designed to meet the needs of both the HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes tenants and the residents of the North Ward. HELP’s Mentoring USA program will provide one-on-one onsite mentoring for Newark’s children. HELP will work with the City of Newark, community leaders, such as Council Member Ramos, and local service providers from the North Ward to tailor the specific services provided at the community center.

“HELP’s Newark Genesis Apartments is a major part of the redevelopment of the area around Rafael Hernandez School. With market rate and affordable housing, and an integrated facility with post-acute care AIDS services, this housing complex will connect residents with each other, their community, and a continuum of care. We are grateful for the support of Jon Bon Jovi, Mayor Booker, and the Municipal Council for supporting our efforts to improve the quality of life for Newark residents,” said Council Member Ramos.

Twenty-five percent of the apartments have tenants living with AIDS, making HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes the first residential facility in New Jersey to provide permanent housing that is fully integrated with the services of a post-acute care AIDS facility. In this case, the tenants were referred by Broadway House for Continuing Care, a post-acute care AIDS facility just a few blocks away in the North Ward. Broadway House staff will provide medical case-management and counseling on-site at HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes in order to meet the clients’ ongoing medical needs. The proximity and seamless service integration between HELP USA and Broadway House will ensure continuity of care and facilitate the clients’ successful return to independent living in their own communities. Broadway House is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).

Led by the efforts of the Economic Development Department’s Housing and Real Estate Division, the City of Newark has provided planning and development support for the project, including “gap” financing in the amount of $1.4 million funded through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Home Investment Partnership Program.

Jon Bon Jovi’s involvement with HELP USA dates back to Fall 2006, when Jon Bon Jovi and designer Kenneth Cole joined together in an effort they dubbed, “R.S.V.P. to HELP.” Leading up to the 2006-2007 holiday season, the two partnered on a collaborative, limited-edition outerwear collection and a holiday gala to raise awareness and support for homelessness. Proceeds from the sale of the limited edition jackets, gala tickets, donations, and online auction raised funds that became the seed money for the HELP USA build in Newark. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Kenneth Cole’s R.S.V.P. fragrance products – the campaign featured Jon Bon Jovi issuing a plea for Americans “answer the call” to help others – were donated to Habitat For Humanity, HELP USA, and Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

Elle Decor and designer Elaine Griffin have donated their time and resources to create a sample apartment at Newark Soul Homes. All furnishings have been provided by HomeGoods who in turn is donating gift cards to all 51 units for use in their stores.

HELP USA, a leading national nonprofit developer of supportive service housing for the homeless, low income families and special needs population – has developed the Newark project in collaboration with architectural services from George Marks of Kramer/Marks and financial and development consultant, Metro Company, LLC (Metro), and Claremont Construction Group.

 

About the City of Newark, New Jersey
Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please Click HERE

ABOUT HELP USA:
HELP USA is a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower the homeless and others in need to become and remain self-reliant. HELP USA was founded in 1986, and has grown to become one of the largest builders and operators of service-enriched transitional and low-income permanent housing in the nation. To date, HELP USA has developed more than 1,938 units of housing and operates 30 residential sites across the country, including transitional housing for homeless adults, families, and veterans; shelters for victims of domestic violence; and permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless and low-income families.

For more information on HELP USA, please Click HERE

To read an article on this event on NewJerseyNewsRoom.com, please Click HERE

To read an article on this event on Metro Green Business, please Click HERE

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USA NETWORK AND TOM BROKAW TO CO-HOST FIRST-EVER CHARACTERS UNITE NATIONAL TOWN HALL ON HEALING AMERICA’S DIVISION

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – November 10, 2009 – USA Network and Tom Brokaw announced today the first-ever Characters Unite National Town Hall, a ground-breaking high-level discussion on how America’s increasingly diverse and divided population can find common ground on today’s complex social issues. Inspired by USA Network’s community affairs campaign – Characters Unite — this event will bring together a diverse panel of distinguished leaders to generate fresh ideas for actions by individuals, communities and government to overcome social injustices and bridge cultural divides. Tom Brokaw, NBC News Special Correspondent, will moderate the panel at the Newseum in Washington, DC, on December 2.

Confirmed Town Hall participants include:

• Mike Allen, Chief White House Correspondent, Politico

• The Honorable Xavier Becerra, Representative, California

• The Honorable Cory Booker, Mayor, Newark, NJ

• The Honorable Max Cleland, Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission

• Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Professor of Sociology, Georgetown University

• Wade Henderson,* President and CEO, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights*

• **Jon Bon Jovi,* Singer, Songwriter, Philanthropist***

• David Mixner, Writer and Civil Rights Activist

• Kathleen Parker, Syndicated Columnist

• Chancellor Michelle Rhee, DC Public Schools

• Dr. Christine Sierra, Professor of Political Science, University of New Mexico

Actor Dulé Hill, co-star of USA Network’s “Psych” will also be a special guest in attendance.

“It’s time to get past the labeling. We’re all different, and we all bring something unique to the table,” said Bonnie Hammer, president, NBCU Cable Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions. “We need our differences to unite us, not drive us apart.”

“People across the country are making tough decisions every day and working to maintain their own unique American character. Too often, instead of coming together to address conflicts, groups demonize each other because of their different beliefs and opinions,” said Tom Brokaw, NBC News Special Correspondent.

During the Characters Unite Town Hall, Brokaw will preview his new documentary, American Character Along Highway 50, produced by Peacock Productions, set to premiere on USA Network on Martin Luther King Day, January 18, 2010. The film follows Brokaw’s journey at a pivotal point in our country’s history as he travels across legendary US Highway 50 discovering how Americans are fairing during these extraordinary times, immersing himself in the lives of ordinary and extraordinary people to reveal uniquely American stories of hardship, survival and hope.

“Tom Brokaw’s upcoming documentary makes him the ideal moderator for this conversation,” said Hammer. “We’re confident that he will steer the Town Hall toward fresh ideas for individual and collective actions aimed at bringing all of us, with the combined strength of our diversity, together.”

In conjunction with the Town Hall, USA Network will announce the results of a new Characters Unite national opinion poll, the United or Divided Survey, which will provide an in-depth profile of American attitudes on prejudice, discrimination and intolerance. The nationally representative poll is being conducted by two of America’s leading public opinion research firms representing both sides of the political aisle — Hart Research Associates (D) and Public Opinion Strategies (R). The survey will examine how Americans view the social trends that are transforming the nation, and will look across generations, race, ethnicity and gender at how change is affecting our country’s social fabric.

In partnership with Charter and Comcast, high schools across the country will have the opportunity to submit questions for the panel and five students will win a trip to Washington, DC, to attend the Town Hall event.

Cisco Webex Solutions will serve as the technology partner for the Characters Unite National Town Hall. The event will be webcast live for free, and viewers may register in advance at www.passtheball.com.

Following the Town Hall, the first Characters Unite Award will be presented to an individual who has made a significant and lasting difference in efforts to fight discrimination, champion civil rights and promote respect. The honoree will be profiled on charactersunite.com and receive a $10,000 grant to support his/her project or nonprofit organization. Nominations for the award are being made by the Characters Unite campaign’s 20 non-governmental partners, which include the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the National Parent Teacher Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Council of La Raza, GLAAD, National Council of Women’s Organizations, American Federation of Teachers, Anti-Defamation League, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Asian American Justice Center, Children’s Defense Fund, General Board of Church & Society of The United Methodist Church, Human Rights Campaign, Human Rights First, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Association of Counties, National Congress of American Indians, National Education Association and Southern Poverty Law Center.

For more information and to visit the Characters Unite website, please Click HERE

To watch a recording of the live Webinar, please Click HERE

ABOUT USA NETWORK
USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 98.5 million U.S. homes. A division of NBC Universal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.
USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

***ABOUT CHARACTERS UNITE ***
Characters Unite, USA Network’s new community affairs program, was created in January 2009 to address the social injustices and cultural divides still prevalent in our society. Created on the simple premise that life is richer when people see beyond stereotypes and appreciate individual differences, Characters Unite kicked off with a national on-air public service campaign and a multimedia pledge drive for unity and understanding.

Inspired by USA Network’s iconic “Characters Welcome” brand and with the support of leading national not-for-profit organizations, the ongoing, multimedia campaign is dedicated to supporting activities and messaging that combat prejudice and intolerance while promoting understanding and acceptance – on-air, online, and in communities across the country.

ABOUT “AMERICAN CHARACTER ALONG HIGHWAY 50”
Premieres January 2010
USA Network and legendary journalist Tom Brokaw have set out to capture the changing face of a nation in the documentary “American Character Along Highway 50.” As he traverses the 12 states along this 3000 mile transcontinental road, beginning on the eastern shore of Maryland and making his way west to California, Brokaw is documenting the lives of the Americans he encounters, exploring the profound economic, political and cultural changes they are experiencing during these uncertain, and particularly historic, times. As Brokaw journeys from big cities to small towns across the country, he will present stories of hardship and hope and chronicle an America on the threshold of a new era. “American Character Along Highway 50” is produced by Peacock Productions.