Monthly Archives: February 2014

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Update: Joseph’s House

We would also like to thank those who supported our Thanksgiving Campaign in 2013. All of the funds we raised during that time were granted to Joseph’s House to help outfit their new kitchen!

Update: Joseph's House
Photo: Anthony Mastrobuono

To view more photos of Joseph’s House, please visit our Photo Gallery

If you would like to help Joseph’s House, they are in need of a few items:
Heavy Socks
Bath Towels and Wash Cloths
Laundry Detergent and Dryer Sheets
Bottled Water
Large Bottles of Hand Sanitizer
Hairbrushes and Combs
Razors
Feminine Hygiene Products
Bar Soap or Body Wash (Travel Size)
Travel Size Shampoo
Travel Size Lotion
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Sugar
They cannot use any clothing or coat donations at this time.

If you are able to donate any of the items on their wish list above, please call or email to schedule a time to drop off donations. Donations may be dropped off Wednesday-Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Questions? Contact Mary Beth Kohler:
Telephone: 856-246-1087
Email Address: mbk@josephshouseofcamden.org

For more information on Joseph’s House, please visit their website josephshouseofcamden.org

We will continue to share updates as they come in, thank you for your support!

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JBJ Soul Homes

JBJ Soul Homes, Philadelphia PA

For more pictures of JBJ Soul Homes please visit our Photo Gallery

For video of Jon Bon Jovi’s Speech please visit our Video Gallery

PROJECT HOME CELEBRATES OPENING OF JBJ SOUL HOMES

Funders Jon Bon Jovi and Middleton Family Join City Officials to Open the Mixed-Use Development for Formerly Homeless, Teens Aging out of Foster Care and Low-Income Individuals

PHILADELPHIA, April 22, 2014 – Project HOME announced today the grand opening of JBJ Soul Homes, a four-story mixed-use development that includes retail, offices and 55 apartment units for formerly homeless and low-income people. With remarks by Jon Bon Jovi, public officials and community partners, the opening will serve as the first part of Project HOME’s 25th Anniversary.

“The single most effective way to end homelessness is affordable housing,” said Sister Mary Scullion, who co-founded Project HOME in 1989. “Over time, JBJ Soul Homes will give hundreds of people a permanent home with supportive services that will allow them to flourish.”

JBJ Soul Homes’ residents will have access to all Project HOME services including basic medical care and fitness classes through its Health Initiative Program, employment training through its Employment Services Department, education access through its Honickman Learning Center and computer use through its Comcast Technology Labs.

The building received both private and public funding. The lead private funding came from the JBJ Soul Foundation, Leigh and John Middleton, and Elizabeth Moran and the lead public funding came from US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Philadelphia. People for People, Inc. will manage the retail space and Project HOME is managing the residences.

“The opening of the JBJ Soul Homes is another example of what I like to call, The Power of WE” stated Jon Bon Jovi, Chairman of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. “It is a natural continuation of the work that we do, which started with the youth at Covenant House several years ago.”

The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, with its lead gift for the development of this project, provides leadership in affordable housing in Philadelphia and in its Soul Home in Newark, NJ. Mimi Box, JBJ Soul Foundation Director said, “We are committed to promoting innovation and long-lasting solutions to rebuilding pride in one’s self and one’s community, one SOUL at a time.”

JBJ Soul Homes is the second project of the Middleton Partnership. The Middleton Partnership, funded by a transformational leadership gift from Leigh and John Middleton and leveraging the support of both public and private funders, supports Project HOME’s strategy to end chronic street homelessness in Philadelphia over the next few years.

For more information about the JBJ Soul Homes and Project HOME, or how you can help, visit projecthome.org

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Joseph’s House

Joseph's House

To see photos from Joseph’s House, please visit our Photo Gallery

CAMDEN, N.J. – As part of his ongoing commitment to help the residents of Camden, Jon Bon Jovi today visited the future home of Joseph’s House of Camden. Joseph’s House is a new homeless facility that is being partially funded by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and is supported by The Joseph Fund – a Camden-based organization created in 2012 to provide fundraising and consultative support to the six ministries served by St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral.

Bon Jovi was joined by Camden Mayor Dana Redd, donors supporting the initiative and residents who have benefited from services of The Joseph Fund.

“We remain committed to Camden,” Jon Bon Jovi said about the Soul Foundation’s involvement in this project. “Today we have had the opportunity to see the progress on what a year ago was just a vision. We offer our sincere thanks to all the organizations and individuals involved in making Joseph’s House possible.”

The mission of Joseph’s House is to work collaboratively with others to aid the homeless men and women of Camden by offering a continuum of services including emergency shelter, a range of supportive housing, and access to comprehensive social services. Previously, Joseph’s House operated as a temporary, six-month facility offering food and shelter for the area’s chronically homeless during the winter months. When complete, the new site of Joseph’s House will accommodate 75 adults each night, providing food, shelter and support services for Camden’s homeless population year-round, with a longer-term goal of developing day programs.

“We understand the importance of providing onsite social services in addressing the long-term cycle of homelessness. With this new facility, we will expand those services to more men and women in need and help them secure stable futures,” said John Klein, executive director, Joseph’s House.

“Joseph’s House is designed to connect individuals with services that can lead them out of homelessness. Through help from our community partners, we hope to provide the help necessary for those who visit us to escape poverty,” said Monsignor McDermott, board chairman of The Joseph Fund and pastor, St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral, who helped Klein spearhead the transition of Joseph’s House from a temporary facility into a year-round operation.

Joseph’s House will partner with Project H.O.P.E., an organization dedicated to serving the medical and social needs of the homeless population, to provide case management services and health care, mental health and substance abuse services. In addition, Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center will operate a free onsite medical clinic utilizing volunteer physicians and nurses.

“The physical collaboration of providing shared services in one facility is unique to the city of Camden. Joseph’s House will be the only shelter offering this array of social services under one roof,” said Mark Hodges, executive director, The Joseph Fund.

Renovations of the building, located at 555 Atlantic Ave. in Camden, began in September and will continue to undergo renovations in order to house the Café Program, administrative offices and offices for social service partners of Joseph’s House. The project is expected to be completed by December 2013.

In addition to support from the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, Joseph’s House is being funded by contributions from the TD Bank Foundation, Halloran Philanthropies and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Haydinger.

Since 2006, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has provided solutions and opportunity for families and individuals in economic despair. The organization assists in establishing programs that provide food and affordable housing for those affected by poverty and homelessness, while supporting social services and job-training programs.

The Joseph Fund supports six ministries that provide housing and youth programs, convert abandoned buildings into affordable homes, and much more to the Camden community. In addition to Joseph’s House, programs of The Joseph Fund include The St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society, St. Joseph’s Elementary School, The Child Development Center, Lifting Up Camden’s Youth (L.U.C.Y.), and Romero Center Ministries.

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Northern Children’s Services Merrick Hall

Northern Children’s Services Merrick Hall
To see more photos, click here.

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation joins Northern Children’s Services (formerly Northern Home for Children) as they celebrate the grand opening of Merrick Hall which will be home to formerly homeless teenage mothers and children

Philadelphia, July 31, 2014—When Jon Bon Jovi first stepped on Northern Children’s Services campus about ten years ago, he recognized the beauty in one particular building, Merrick Hall. Today, Merrick Hall opened its doors back up again for the first time at the Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremony.

The relationship between Northern Children Services and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation began back in 2004 when the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football team built a beautiful playground on the campus. Throughout the last decade the partnership has continued – culminating in JBJ Soul Foundation’s support of the renovation of Merrick Hall.

“From day one on the campus of Northern Children’s Services some ten years ago, I marveled at the history and hidden beauty of that old building – Merrick Hall,” stated Jon Bon Jovi, Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “When this project came about, it was a natural fit for us to provide one of the lead donations for this building. It is wonderful to see it now fully restored to glory and in use for such a purposeful cause – addressing the needs of young mothers in this community.”

Not only does Merrick Hall stand for the successful future of the Generations program, it represents the rich history behind the past 161 years of service of Northern Children’s Services. Thanks to this newly renovated building, the organization will be able to change the lives of more young women and children in the community who need it most, just as it was able to do in 1853 for orphans described as “innocent victims of social poverty during an era of unparalleled economic luxury.”

“The (Merrick) building will now expand our capacity to serve the needs of the Generation programs. In addition, it will provide 4 permanent housing units for our homeless Mother/Baby population. This is a tremendous accomplishment for Northern and the community that we serve. I am extremely proud and thankful to our Board of Directors, supporters and donors. Without their support, this would have not been possible,” said Tracey Lavallias, CEO and President of Northern Children’s Service.

A current resident of the Generations program, Brittney, gave a tearful speech to the crowd explaining the significant impact Northern Children’s Services and Generations program has had on the life of her and her son, Rashee.

“With all of this love and support given I was able to graduate from high school on time despite the fact I had my son at a young age. Furthermore, NCS as a team was very helpful and a huge blessing in making my prom a vigilant success,” Brittney said. “Ms. Cherenne (Peoples), Ms. Rasheedah (Small), Ms. Isis (Polard) and Ms. Nakia (Gordon), thank you for never turning your cheek. When times got rough – those times when I felt like giving up – your words of encouragement helped me through.”

For the full press release from this event, please click here

For more information on the Merrick renovation, capital campaign or Northern Children’s Services, please visit their website.

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Project Homeless Connect Touches Many

“We offered a warm coat, personal care items and a range of health services to people,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to the County’s Department of Human Services. “Coats, blankets and hot beverage were important and needed, but we also wanted to make sure that each person who needs and wants assistance is being helped.”

Project Homeless Connect is the umbrella name for a nationwide effort to bring attention to efforts to end homelessness. People without a permanent residence or who are at risk of being homeless were encouraged to participate. Attendees completed a very brief survey form before being provided food, clothing, free health screenings, employment resources and other services.

“This year we provided services to 196 individuals at the three locations,” Curley said. “The purpose of Project Homeless Connect, coupled with the Point in Time survey, is to get a better idea as to who is homeless and out there somewhere.”

JBJ Soul Kitchen participated in Project Homeless Connect for the third straight year. These counts aid communities in creating strategic plans and develop policies that deal with the homeless issues. This day enabled us, at Soul Kitchen, to put forth our product and engage those who are experiencing food insecurity issues in our work. Those who participated in Red Bank, NJ were offered a complimentary ride in a van, donated by Arrow Transportation, from Pilgrim Baptist Church to Soul Kitchen where they received hot soup and a sandwich. Soul Kitchen volunteers and staff members were on hand throughout the day to speak to those coming in and let them know how they could volunteer in exchange for a meal in the future. This year Soul Kitchen served over 100 meals to those who came in as part of Project Homeless Connect.

The freezing temperatures and the snow storm on Wednesday played a role in reducing the number of folks who turned out for this annual event.

“Anyone who is vulnerable and close to homelessness – especially families with younger children, need to know that there is help available,” Curley said. “Shelter, food stamps and many other services can help improve their quality of life.”

“This is an annual, unified effort to reach people who do not have a permanent shelter,” said Jeffrey Schwartz, director of the County’s Division of Planning and Contracting for the Department of Human Services. “While County staff and volunteers gathered information at designated locations, others were collecting information about people housed at other locations by various housing agencies and coordinating efforts with municipal representatives to locate unsheltered individuals.”

Not included in the totals from the three locations are individuals who are in transitional housing, emergency housing, motels, hotels, boarding homes or other locations.

Curley noted that the Sandy Homeowner/Renter Assistance Program (SHRAP) is helping many potentially homeless individuals and families with a mortgage or rent subsidy as well.

“Some of the people displaced by Sandy were counted last year because they were being housed in motels and hotels,” explained Schwartz. “Anyone still displaced by Sandy should continue to be in contact with FEMA and the County’s Long Term Recovery Group to maximize the resources available.”

The primary goal of Project Homeless Connect is to gain an accurate picture of the number of people who experience homelessness and to work toward providing them with needed services, Schwartz said.

“Donations of time, space and resources by businesses and not-for profit groups make the Project Homeless Connect event possible,” Curley said. “Monmouth County is a very caring community and we appreciate the time, talents and goods that make a positive impact in the lives of people who need these items and seek these services.”

The count is part of an annual point-in-time survey of the homeless population in the New Jersey. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that such a count of the homeless be done every year.

Organizations that donated time and resources for Monmouth County’s 2014 Point in Time Survey and Project Homeless Connect include:
Acelero Learning
Adelphia Donuts LLC
Affordable Housing Alliance
ARC of Monmouth, Tinton Falls
Arrow Limousine Worldwide
Asbury Park Social Services
Brookdale Community College
Burlington Coat Factory
Catholic Charities – Linkages
Central Jersey Family Health Consortium
Child Care Resources
Cohn Reznick
Community Affairs & Resource Center
Community Health Law Project – Asbury Park
Comprehensive Emergency Assistance System (CEAS)
Covenant House
Division of Child Protection & Permanency
Easter Seals NJ – Adult Shelter
Family & Children’s Services
Family Promise of Monmouth County
Feed All God’s Children – Jim Benedict
Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties
Frank’s Deli – Baked Goods
Freehold Area Open Door
HABcore, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity
Holiday Express
Howell Alliance and Schools
I Beseech Thee Community Development Corp.
Interfaith Neighbors – Nancy Flanigan, Heather Schulze and Catherine Wieczorek, Site Coordinators for Asbury Park
Investors Savings Bank
JBJ Soul Foundation
JBJ Soul Kitchen

Jersey Shore Rescue Mission
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
Kula Café
LADACIN Network
Lunch Break
Manna House – Peggy Comfort, Site Coordinator for Freehold
Marlboro Elementary School
Monmouth A-Team
Monmouth Cares
Monmouth County Human Services Advisory Council
Monmouth County Department of Human Services
• Divisions of Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services; Mental Health and Addiction Services; Planning and Contracting and Social Services
Monmouth County Department of Workforce Development
Monmouth County Buildings & Grounds
Monmouth County Community Development
New Beginnings Agape Christian Center
New Jersey City University – Cheryl Leiningen, Assistant Professor and accelerated BSN Students, Wall NJ Campus
New Jersey Department of Labor-One Stop Center
New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency
New Jersey Natural Gas
New Jersey Youth Corps – Asbury Park
Novadebt, Freehold
180, Turning Lives Around
O.C.E.A.N, Inc.
Ocean Monmouth Legal Services
One Warm Coat
Paul David Party Supplies
Paul M. McGuire Family Health Center
Pilgrim Baptist Church of Red Bank
Red Cross
Salvation Army, Asbury Park
Signs, Sealed and Delivered
Social Security Administration
Soleil Tans – Matawan
Soul Kitchen in Red Bank
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
The City of Asbury Park
United Way of Monmouth County
VNA Health Group
Various Ministries
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Winifred Canright House