Monthly Archives: November 2022

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 November 29 2022 

Giving Tuesday 2022 – Help Us Make a Difference

With the cold weather upon us, overnight guests at the JBJ & PBC Hope and Comfort Warming Center in Red Bank, NJ need supplies to help make their stay comfortable during Code Blue Nights. The Warming Center provides the local homeless community a safe and secure location during below-freezing temperatures.

This Giving Tuesday, our Amazon Wish List will further our mission of providing men in-need with temporary shelter, safety, food and community-based resources in a safe environment, on the coldest winter days. Last winter, the JBJ & PBC Hope and Comfort Warming Center helped over 875 men and this winter we are preparing for even more due to the already cold temperatures.

Please considering joining us in this global generosity movement. Wish List items range from shirts, pants, socks, and hats to coffee, snacks, backpacks, and personal hygiene items.

Together, We Give.

 

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 November 11 2022 

JBJ Soul Foundation and New England Patriots Foundation announce match grant in support of Soldier On’s Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community in Tewksbury, MA

November 11, 2022 – This Veterans Day, it was announced that the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has partnered with the New England Patriots Foundation, in a joint match grant in support of the build for Soldier On’s Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community, located in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Soldier On is dedicated to providing and coordinating an extensive continuum of housing and support services for veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. Construction will begin in Spring 2023, with a planned opening in Spring 2024.

Soldier On, Inc. was named the development lead of the project at the invitation of Tewksbury Home Build. The 18,656 sq. ft. building will provide 21 units of affordable permanent supportive housing for veterans. The property features 18 one-bedroom apartments and 3 studio apartments, which are included in the state affordable housing inventory. The site will serve both men and women and has wraparound services, including wellness programs, care coordination, case management, substance use treatment, transportation, a community room, fully furnished apartments, internet, cable, utilities, “Let’s Talk Interactive” (LTI) telehealth kiosk, and meals will provide veterans with stability and support.

Bruce Buckley, CEO and President of Soldier On, stated, “Soldier On is thrilled and honored to receive the support of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, the Kraft family, and Patriots Foundation for our next Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.” Bruce continued, “This development will provide a permanent home to 21 U.S. military veterans who have struggled with sustaining safe, stable housing. These brave men and women served our country when we needed them, now they need our support.”

The relationship between JBJ Soul Foundation and Soldier On began with a partnership at JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, NJ with the Gordon H. Mansfield Veteran’s Community, a brand-new apartment facility in nearby Tinton Falls. Veterans volunteer at JBJ Soul Kitchen and enjoy a meal while the chefs visit the building to host cooking demos to teach about healthy ways to prepare meals in their new homes. When the opportunity arose to partner on a new supportive housing facility, JBJ Soul Foundation was excited to team up with Soldier On once again.

“No one who serves our country should have to find themselves sleeping on the streets”, said Jon Bon Jovi, Chairman of JBJ Soul Foundation. “The Foundation has been a long-time advocate for veterans so when the opportunity came to expand our partnership with Soldier On beyond our JBJ Soul Kitchens, we knew we had to jump on it. Being able to partner with my friend Robert Kraft to support housing for veterans makes this project even more meaningful.”

Jon Bon Jovi has been longtime friends with Robert Kraft, chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). The Kraft family has given back through the Kraft Family Foundation and New England Patriots Foundation. Being that the project is set in New England, and a pillar of the New England Patriots Foundation is built on the support of veteran initiatives, the connection seemed kindred. Jon Bon Jovi reached out to Kraft to see if he would join the JBJ Soul Foundation in supporting this building in Massachusetts, and without hesitation they were able to come together on a matching grant.

“When it comes to supporting patriots, Jon Bon Jovi rocks,” said Kraft, Patriots chairman and CEO. “This Veterans Day, the Patriots Foundation is teaming up with the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation to provide permanent housing for some patriots who are in need. The donations will benefit Soldier On, a local organization committed to ending veteran homelessness. Jon has always been very supportive of the military. He has a huge heart and a good soul, and I couldn’t be happier to partner with him to support patriots on Veterans Day.”

The JBJ Soul Foundation and New England Patriots Foundation will be matching funds donated to Soldier On to help fill the gap in funding on the project caused by increased building supply costs. Join the cause and help veterans find a safe place to call home by donating here.

About Soldier On
Soldier On is a private, nonprofit organization committed to ending veteran homelessness. Soldier On was organized in 1994 to provide a continuum of programs to ensure that homeless veterans and their families have access to immediate and long-term housing with an array of support services delivered directly to them where they live. The ultimate goal is to provide formerly homeless and at-risk veterans with permanent, supportive, sustainable housing. For more information, visit www.wesoldieron.org.

About The New England Patriots Foundation
Robert Kraft established the New England Patriots Foundation in 1994 as a way to give back to the communities the Patriots call home. The mission of the foundation is to aid individuals and families that are often marginalized in today’s society. Through the implementation of year-round programming and support of philanthropic agencies, the foundation is building stronger communities throughout New England. For more information about the New England Patriots Foundation, visit www.patriots.com/community.

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 November 1 2022 

Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi Close Out 10th Annual Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy

The 10th Annual Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy took place in New York City on September 23, 2022. This annual event brought together over 100 of the world’s leading philanthropists, social entrepreneurs and business leaders for critical discussions on how to apply wealth and resources to solve today’s most intractable problems.

Forbes invited Jon Bon Jovi, Board Chairman of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (JBJSF) and Dorothea Bongiovi, Founder & Program Director of JBJ Soul Kitchen, to speak in a fireside chat discussion. At the 10th Annual Event, Jon and Dorothea were the closing speakers, where in the first annual event, they opened this discussion that brings people together to strengthen society. This year’s summit focused on one particular challenge – global food insecurity – which demands the innovative, solutions-oriented attention of the world’s most successful people. This is an issue that both the JBJSF and JBJ Soul Kitchen’s mission are built upon, as they continue to break the cycle of poverty, hunger and homelessness.

“Paying it forward is effecting change directly,” said Jon Bon Jovi as he discussed the goals of JBJSF in conversation with Randall Lane. He continued, “We’re effecting change one person at a time,” a foundation which JBJ Soul Kitchen is so proud to be built upon. By understanding the needs of the individuals, the team at JBJ Soul Kitchen is able to find the appropriate resources to help their patrons.

In order to stay focused on the work at hand, Dorothea Bongiovi stated, “You just have to put your head down and continue to put one step in front of the other. Do what you can do. If everyone did that, things would get a little bit better.” As both JBJSF and JBJ Soul Kitchen navigate the challenges of food insecurity and homelessness, the organizations rely on the generous donations of their supporters. Without the teamwork of the staff and volunteers, and the support of our very generous donors, this mission would not be possible. Please join us in helping to end this fight. Donate today.