Author Archives: Heather Goldfarb

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November 11 2019

JBJ Soul Foundation, HELP USA and Partners Welcome Veterans Home to Walter Reed

Formerly homeless DC veterans move in to supportive housing on the former site of Walter Reed Army Medical Center

(WASHINGTON, DC) – HELP USA CEO Tom Hameline, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and other project supporters cut the ribbon for the HELP USA Walter Reed Veteran Apartments. This new 100 percent affordable development provides permanent supportive housing for 77 previously homeless veterans.

“There can be no higher or better use of this historic site than to continue serving the men and women of the Armed Services.” said Tom Hameline. “Because of the vision of the District government, the generosity of our private sector partners, and the hard work of my team, we can today move seventy-seven veterans off the street and offer them what they always deserved, a place to call home.”

This project was built by HELP USA, a national housing and homelessness non-profit and developed in partnership with the District of Columbia as part of their fifteen-year redevelopment of the sixty-six acre parcel that was once home to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. HELP’s building is the first residential development to open on the campus.

“When our veterans experience a housing crisis, we’re going to be there for them with programs in that in safe, service-enriched permanent housing,” said Mayor Bowser. “Our vision for Walter Reed was to deliver community benefits and build a neighborhood that will benefit Washingtonians for generations to come. We built on that commitment today by supporting our most vulnerable residents and ending homelessness by opening new affordable housing for District veterans.”

The building was designed to serve the unique needs of formerly homeless veterans. It features seventy-seven studio apartments, office space for medical staff, counselors and case managers, a cafeteria, a gym, and a landscaped courtyard.

It was funded through government sources and the generosity of private donations. Grants from lead private funder, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, as well as generous contributions from The Weinberg Foundation, The Abell Foundation, The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, The Home Depot Foundation, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and the National Equity Fund comprised a large portion of the funding and were instrumental in the development financing.

“The JBJ Soul Foundation is proud to once again partner with HELP USA as we welcome 77 Washington D.C. veterans to a place they can call home. We were called on to lead the private sector investment at Walter Reed and are proud to have this opportunity to say thank you to those who so bravely serve our country,” said Jon Bon Jovi.

*Jon Bon Jovi with one of the veterans moving in to her new apartment at Walter Reed*

The 77 units to be constructed will be offered at the following affordability levels: 75 permanent supportive housing units at 30 percent Median Family Income for chronically homeless veterans and two units at 50 percent median family income. The site of the project is the former Abrams Hall (Building 14), was originally constructed in 1976 as barrack housing for soldiers receiving long-term medical care who were able to live semi-independently.

“In supportive housing communities like Walter Reed, people have the chance to heal, rebuild their independence and find hope again,” said Debbie Burkart, who leads the LISC/NEF Bring Them Homes initiative, which has fueled thousands of affordable housing units with services for veterans. “We’re grateful to investors and philanthropic funders like Morgan Stanley, Cathay Bank, Citi Community Development and Northrup Grumman, all of which recognized the importance of this project early on and saw the tremendous capacity of HELP USA to make it a reality. We could not be prouder to be their partners in the critical work.”

The project was designed by Weincek Associates, built by Ellisdale Construction and Development and made possible by construction financing through TD Bank.

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November 8 2019

Governor Murphy has declared NJ SNAP Awareness Week in New Jersey from November 10th through 16th

NJ Human Services Working with Food Pantries, the Faith Community, Grocers and Others to Help New Jerseyans Connect to SNAP

TRENTON – As Thanksgiving approaches and thoughts turn to food, friends and family, New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson announced a special focus on combating hunger in New Jersey by connecting families to the State’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or NJ SNAP, which can help working families and individuals with lower incomes afford groceries.

An estimated 1.4 million New Jersey residents are food insecure, meaning they lack regular access to enough affordable food for themselves and their families. The food insecure in New Jersey include nearly 270,000 children and 210,000 older residents.

“In New Jersey, we do not and will not turn our backs on those in need whether they are experiencing poverty, a disability, or having difficulties making ends meet,” said Governor Murphy.“The Trump Administration has already cut SNAP benefits twice and now, as we begin to enter the holiday season, they are coming back for more. We are committed to ensuring that our families, friends, and neighbors in need are receiving the assistance to make sure no one goes hungry.”

“For New Jersey’s children to thrive, to learn in school today, and to have a chance at the best possible tomorrow, they need to know that they have a reliable source of food and nutrition. No child should go hungry. No child should face constant anxiety and worry about where their next meal is coming from. For older New Jerseyans, it should never be the case that they are forced to choose between paying for food and paying for their prescriptions. And, for working families and individuals with lower incomes, the combination of rising rents and increased food costs can make it challenging to get on the best financial footing,” Commissioner Johnson said. “This Thanksgiving season, NJ Human Services is pleased to join with community organizations across the State to get the word out about NJ SNAP. If you or someone you know regularly struggles to afford food, we urge you to visit njsnap.gov to learn more about how NJ SNAP can help.”

As part of the effort, Governor Murphy has declared NJ SNAP Awareness Week in New Jersey from November 10th through 16th to encourage residents struggling with hunger or food insecurity to learn more about SNAP.

In New Jersey, individuals and families with incomes up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level ($23,017 for an individual and $39,461 for a family of three) may be eligible for SNAP depending on their assets and other expenses. An individual can be eligible for as much as $194 per month and a family of three can be eligible for as much as $509 per month, depending on their assets and expenses.

Today, nearly 700,000 New Jersey households rely on NJ SNAP for help buying groceries. About 6,000 grocers, community markets, bodegas, farmer’s markets and other food retailers in New Jersey participate in NJ SNAP, generating approximately $1 billion in revenue for these New Jersey businesses. Individuals can learn more about NJ SNAP and apply at njsnap.gov or by visiting their local county board of social services.

“In this season of giving when much attention is focused on the importance of food and community, NJ Human Services is working with community leaders to bring greater awareness to how NJ SNAP can help fight hunger in New Jersey,” Commissioner Johnson said. “NJ SNAP is our state’s most critical anti-hunger program and the first-line of defense against food insecurity. We hope that as New Jerseyans gather together with friends and family this holiday season, everyone can spread the word about helping those in need connect to food assistance through NJ SNAP.”

NJ Human Services is working with county boards of social services, community food pantries and food banks, grocers, the faith community, and community organizations to get the word out about how NJ SNAP can help fight hunger.

“NJ SNAP is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans,” said Assistant Commissioner Natasha Johnson, who directs Human Services’ Division of Family Development. “During this holiday season and throughout the year, we will continue to work with our county partners to help residents learn more about how NJ SNAP can help their families.”

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November 16 2018

Warming Center Opens in Time for Winter Season

UPDATE: Throughout the 2019 Winter Season, The JBJ & PBC Hope & Comfort Warming Center was a success in the Monmouth County Community. With a total of 32 Code Blue nights in Monmouth County and 262 total guests, we provided a warm, safe environment for an average of 8 individuals every Code Blue night.

The Warming Center serves coffee, tea and water as well as snacks prepared by volunteers. Individuals were offered cots, hot showers and an opportunity to clean their clothes with our washer/dryer system. Those who stayed at the Warming Center overnight were welcomed at JBJ Soul Kitchen Red Bank for a hot drink and a delicious meal after 5:00 PM. Providing warmth and security, our Warming Center became a model for other towns and boroughs in our country.

JBJ Soul Foundation & Pilgrim Baptist Church open Monmouth County’s first and only warming location

Red Bank, NJ – Bundled in winter coats, hats and gloves, numerous members of the local Red Bank community and leaders of various nonprofit organizations gathered as the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (JBJSF) and the Pilgrim Baptist Church (PBC) opened the JBJ & PBC Hope & Comfort Warming Center on Thursday, November 15 at 12:30 PM. The Warming Center will provide the local homeless community a location during state-wide Code Blue alerts. According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, there were 8,536 people experiencing homelessness on a given night in New Jersey in 2017. As the first and only warming center in Monmouth County, the shelter promises a safe and secure location during below freezing temperatures.

In May 2017, Governor Christie signed Bill A185 requiring NJ counties to provide shelter for “at-risk” individuals, meaning anyone living outside or in a building not meant for human habitation, during temperatures equal to or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Counties were mandated to adopt this bill; however, funding was not provided for the creation or maintenance of warming centers leaving local organizations struggling to find ways to fund warming centers on their own. “When we learned of the unfunded mandate of the Code Blue Warming Centers in NJ, we were compelled to increase our impact on our most vulnerable neighbors right here in Monmouth County,” said Jon Bon Jovi of the Foundation’s involvement in the warming center.

The unique relationship between JBJSF and PBC formed and flourished when the organizations decided to combine their resources, time and talent to help the at-risk population in the local community. The Warming Center is a model for organizations in each county to adopt and use throughout their own regions. Running on the dedication of volunteers, first responders, county officials and community members, the Warming Center is a product of the positive connection between JBJSF and PBC.

JBJSF provided the necessary funding for PBC to establish and maintain the Warming Center for anyone in need of assistance in Monmouth County. County emergency management coordinators must inform the municipal law enforcement 24 hours prior to a severe weather event of a Code Blue Alert. This allows authorities to take homeless individuals to shelters, centers or local agencies during severe weather events to receive necessary goods and services. In the event of a Code Blue, at-risk individuals are encouraged to seek shelter at the Warming Center located at 166 Shrewsbury Avenue in Red Bank, NJ. Individuals will receive overnight services including refreshments/snacks, showers, access to a washer/dryer and more. “The opening of the Warming Center will bring great relief to the faces of the men in our community who have no roof over their heads on cold nights.,” stated Pastor Terrence K. Porter of Pilgrim Baptist Church. “The look in their eyes when told about it makes me proud to be part of an organization and community that came together to answer that need.”

In addition, Lunch Break of Red Bank and the JBJ Soul Kitchen will provide access to warmth, food and services throughout the day until the warming center opens at 8:00 PM. “I am heartened by the efforts of the JBJ Soul Foundation and the Pilgrim Baptist Church, for getting this wonderful, life-saving mission up and running before the harsh weather and falling temperatures of winter are upon us,” stated Gwendolyn Love of Lunch Break in Red Bank. “This is a vital community resource for those who need the comfort and warmth of a temporary shelter from the cold and Lunch Break is happy to help.”

For additional information on the Warming Center and a full schedule of services during Code Blue events please contact 732-856-3929.

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May 25 2018

JBJSF Joins HELP USA in Celebrating Groundbreaking of Walter Reed Project

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation joined HELP USA, the City of D.C., and other partners on Friday, May 25, 2018 in a ceremonial groundbreaking of the Walter Reed project in Washington, D.C.. JBJ Soul Foundation is proud to support the 77 units of “services-enriched” affordable housing for homeless Veterans. HELP USA will provide social and supportive services to the residents, and the units will be furnished to allow for immediate occupancy for individuals and their families who may be coming from shelters or other transitional housing.

The site will eventually become “The Parks at Walter Reed” and will contain 2,100 residential units (of which 432 will be affordable units), retail space with a grocery store anchor, office space, a hotel, charter schools, medical uses, arts and entertainment uses in addition to 20 acres of open park space. The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is still located on this property and will remain a fully operational hospital.

“The Walter Reed campus has a storied history of serving the men and women of our armed forces, and we are proud to be building housing on this site that will continue that tradition. HELP strongly believes that stable housing is the foundation of every other social service. By developing apartments for homeless veterans and providing on-site services we are helping people begin to build better lives,” said Tom Hameline, President and CEO, HELP USA.

About HELP USA

HELP USA is one of the nation’s largest homeless service providers and low-income housing developers serving at-risk populations including families, veterans, and victims of domestic violence. HELP USA currently serves more than 8,000 people every day at over 50 programs and residences across five states. Since its founding in 1986, HELP USA has served more than 500,000 men, women, and children, and developed in excess of 2,500 units of housing.

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April 24 2018

JBJSF Joins Project HOME in Celebrating Grand Opening of Ruth Williams House

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation joined Project HOME and other partners today in celebrating the grand opening of the Ruth Williams House at the Gene & Marlene Epstein Building in Philadelphia. The new building provides a total of 88 units of affordable housing.

JBJ Soul Foundation is proud to support the 20 units dedicated to young adult housing for youth experiencing homelessness, are formerly homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.

Read below for the full press release:

Project HOME Announces Grand Opening of Ruth Williams House at the
Gene & Marlene Epstein Building

Newest Residence at 2415 North Broad Street Made Possible by the Vision and Generosity of Local Advocates and Long-time Supporters of Project HOME

PHILADELPHIA, PA (April 24, 2018) – Project HOME today announced that the Grand Opening of its newest residence, Ruth Williams House at the Gene & Marlene Epstein Building will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. The residence, located at 2415 North Broad St., provides 88 units of affordable housing (20 dedicated to young adults) to men and women who are homeless, formerly homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, as well as low-income members of the community. The building was named in honor of Ruth Williams and Gene and Marlene Epstein – long-time supporters of Project HOME and powerful advocates for ending homelessness in the city of Philadelphia.

“We were heartbroken when Ruth passed away before she could see this incredible project come to fruition, yet we know her spirit and commitment to let everyone live their best life is ever present here,” said Sister Mary Scullion, Project HOME co-founder and Executive Director. “Ruth lived her life by a simple creed – ‘Love, teach, share.’ This new residence honors Ruth’s life and her meaningful impact on Project HOME’s work by connecting people to education and employment services, as well as medical services. Ruth’s and Morris’ generosity helped to create a place of stability and revitalization for the North Broad Street neighborhood.”

Residents of Ruth Williams House will be connected to medical, behavioral-health, and recovery services through Project HOME’s Health Services Program at the Stephen Klein Wellness Center, and will be eligible to receive employment and education services through Project HOME’s Workforce Solutions Program.

“Our relationship with Gene and Marlene Epstein dates back to the 1980s,” said Sister Mary. “Since then, the Epsteins have worked tirelessly to create the awareness, passion, and funding needed to end homelessness in Philadelphia for good. This new residence is a tribute to their conviction and leadership, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

“Marlene and I are so excited for this property to officially open its doors,” said Gene Epstein of the Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund. “Project HOME has a long track record of being a source for good in our city, and we’re proud to support an organization having such a positive impact.”

On April 9, a delegation of federal and local elected officials, including Congressional representatives Dwight Evans, Bob Brady, and Brendan Boyle, visited Ruth Williams House to highlight this project as a successful use of federal investment to solve serious urban problems, and to stress the need for a continued role by the federal government in addressing the affordable housing crisis in the United States.

Ruth Williams House at the Gene & Marlene Epstein Building is the fifth project funded by MPOWER, a Project HOME community investment partnership that is multiplying the impact of Project HOME’s proven approaches to breaking the cycle of homelessness. The partnership focuses on revitalizing entire communities, including building new homes and programs to support the vulnerable individuals of today and tomorrow and breaking the cycle of homelessness for young adults.

About Ruth Williams House at the Gene & Marlene Epstein Building

Ruth Williams House at the Gene & Marlene Epstein Building is a five-story, approximately 80,000-square-foot building, with 88 total efficiency units, and approximately 2,400 square feet of first-floor retail space. It was designed and constructed with sustainability in mind and has achieved LEED silver status. It includes on-site laundry and a community space for residents. Twenty of its units are dedicated to young adult housing, virtually doubling Project HOME’s capacity to house youth who are or are at risk of becoming homeless.

Just two blocks from Temple University, the development is located in a “transportation hub,” and the site is identified as an ideal location for transit-oriented development. It is in walking distance of both a subway stop and regional rail stop, as well as four bus routes. The project supports Philadelphia’s goals to develop the North Broad Street Corridor, reestablish North Broad Street as a mixed use urban area, promote Philadelphia’s image as a “walker’s city,” and build connections along the North Broad Street corridor.

Ruth Williams House at the Gene & Marlene Epstein Building is made possible through the support of public and private partners including Ruth and Morris Williams, Gene & Marlene Epstein, Leigh and John Middleton, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Philadelphia Housing Authority, City of Philadelphia, Division of Housing & Community Development, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Capital One, National Equity Fund, FHLBank Pittsburgh, PNC Bank, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, JBJ Soul Foundation, Janet and John Haas, The Neubauer Family Foundation, TD Bank, Sheila and John Connors, Deborah M. Fretz, Independence Foundation, Toby Strogatz and Stephen Klein, and Paul L. Newman Foundation, Le Vine Family Foundation, and Jeannie and Michael O’Neill.

About MPOWER

MPOWER is a Project HOME Community Investment Partnership drawing on a powerful network of people and ideas that multiplies Project HOME’s impact in five key areas: investments, relationships, resources, advocacy, and evidence. In just five years, the partnership’s impact multiplier model has leveraged $20 million into $200 million which has helped to provide services to more than 15,000 people, including ending chronic street homelessness for more than 800 people.

About Project HOME

Since 1989, Project HOME has helped thousands of people break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by providing a continuum of care that includes street outreach, supportive housing and comprehensive services that focus on health care, education and employment through both adult and youth education and enrichment programs at the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs and community-based health care services at the Stephen Klein Wellness Center. Project HOME and its partners have pledged to end chronic street homelessness in Philadelphia. To learn more, visit www.projecthome.org.