Author Archives: Heather Goldfarb

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 July 8 2024 

Summer Merchandise

Exciting news! Our limited edition Summer Collection is here, featuring Retro Tanks and T-Shirts! Available now on our website, each purchase supports the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, dedicated to breaking the cycle of hunger, poverty, and homelessness since 2006.

“No one person can do this work alone. The mission of ending homelessness and ensuring that everyone has a safe place to live is not just the work of the government, nor is it the sole responsibility of the private sector. It takes everyone—what I like to call the Power of We.” – Jon Bon Jovi

By developing partnerships, creating innovative programs, and providing essential grant funding, the Foundation helps communities thrive. All proceeds from this collection go directly to the JBJ Soul Foundation, helping to fund their vital initiatives.

Check out our new styles at bit.ly/SFRetroMerch and wear your shirt with pride as we join together in the fight against hunger, poverty, and homelessness.

Thank you for your support!

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 June 11 2024 

JBJ Soul Foundation and New England Patriots Foundation Unite for Veterans: Groundbreaking Ceremony in Tewksbury, MA

November 11, 2022 – 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.

SOLDIER ON HOLD GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR PERMANENT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR AT-RISK AND HOMELESS VETERANS

TEWKSBURY, MA (July 13, 2023) – Elected officials, community partners, and supporters gathered in the Town Common to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Gordon H. Mansfield Veteran Community.

TEWKSBURY, MA (June 2024) Soldier On is beginning to accept applications for apartments at the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community. Throughout the summer, Soldier On will be scheduling informational and application sessions to provide more details and assist applicants in the process.

TEWKSBURY, MA (December 2024) We are projected to start moving veterans into their new homes at the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community by December 2024.

Soldier On, based in Pittsfield, MA, is dedicated to providing and coordinating an extensive continuum of housing and support services for veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. The project, the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community, will be the organization’s eighth permanent housing facility for veterans since it was founded in 1994.

The community is named for the late Gordon H. Mansfield, a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran who served as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as well as Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equality Opportunity at the Department of Housing & Urban Development. During his military service, Mansfield earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Soldier On became the development lead for this project at the invitation of Tewksbury Home Build, a local housing nonprofit that gained control of the site through a town-supported process of creating affordable housing. The development is located at 1660 Main Street, adjacent to Heatherwood Gracious Retirement Living. The new four-story,18,565 sq. ft. building will provide 21 units of affordable permanent supportive housing for veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. All units will be fully furnished and include internet, cable, utilities and one meal per day. The facility will have a “Let’s Talk Interactive” telehealth kiosk and transportation provided to bring residents to appointments. Each veteran will have a case manager to ensure they receive the wrap around services they need.

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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 May 3 2024 

Project HOME 35th Anniversary Gala

PHILADELPHIA, PA – May 2, 2024 – Project HOME today announced that it raised a total of $7.6 million at its 35th anniversary gala held at the Marriott Downtown Philadelphia on May 1, 2024. Attendees and committed citizens donated $4.4 million in the lead up to the evening and $3.2 million during the event itself. For the event, more than 1,400 civic, business, and philanthropic leaders gathered to celebrate 35 years of Project HOME and the organization’s dynamic co-founders, Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon.

“What an incredible evening of community, love, and generosity,” said Project HOME Co-Founder and Executive Director Sister Mary Scullion. “When Joan and I first imagined Project HOME 35 years ago, we could hardly have imagined the growth and impact we’ve been able to achieve as part of this tremendous organization. It’s taken a lot of hard work and determination, and we’re grateful to the entire Project HOME community for their support and shared belief that none of us are home until all of us are home.”

The event celebrated the enduring legacy and friendship of McConnon and Scullion, who are transitioning out of their day-to-day leadership roles with Project HOME but will remain connected to the organization. It honored Project HOME’s 35 years of impact with a dedicated focus on the organization’s next chapter and its continuing work to end and prevent chronic street homelessness in Philadelphia. Highlights of the event included:

  • A special video message from President Joe Biden honoring the organization and its impact
  • A special video message from actress Lily Tomlin, a long-time friend and advocate of Project HOME
  • Opening remarks from Governor Josh Shapiro
  • A special in-room fundraising effort that raised $3.2 million
  • A surprise on-the-spot donation of $1 million by Phillies Charities, Inc., presented by the Phillie Phanatic
  • A heartfelt tribute from Leigh and John Middleton before presenting Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon with the “Golden Heart” award.
  • Special participation from Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi who both served as co-chairs of the event. Jon Bon Jovi led the “Impact in an Instant” in-room fundraising initiative, and shared special remarks during the evening

“We were thrilled to co-chair this wonderful event that honored the incomparable leadership of Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon,” said Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi, JBJ Soul Foundation. “We consider them mentors, friends, and inspirations. May their work continue until homelessness is a thing in the past.”

During the “Impact in an Instant” initiative, attendees raised $2.2 million before a surprise $1 million donation was presented by the Phillie Phanatic on behalf of Phillies Charities, Inc., the charitable arm of the Philadelphia Phillies.

“For 35 years Project HOME, led by the heroic efforts of Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon, has tackled the root causes of homelessness,” said Phillies Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer John Middleton. “We are incredibly proud to provide this significant donation to Project HOME in support of their mission to end homelessness for good.”

John Middleton and his wife, Leigh, a Project HOME board member, presented Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon with the “Golden Heart” award. The two co-founders shared their perspectives and vision for the future of Project HOME to conclude the ceremony.

“Ending chronic street homelessness will improve the quality of life of every person who calls Philadelphia home,” Dawson McConnon said. “Let’s get this done, together!”

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 March 19 2024 

Edible Jersey Magazine

Our program, JBJ Soul Kitchen – Red Bank, has been featured on the cover of Edible Jersey Magazine’s Spring Issue! We are incredibly proud of our team for their ongoing efforts in fighting food insecurity in our neighborhood. We are grateful for our partnership with Edible Jersey Magazine and for choosing to highlight our mission to their readers.

“Everyone enjoys having a good meal. Everyone enjoys breaking bread and getting to know somebody. That’s a big part of it for me, to remove the stigma of food insecurity. I really wanted to bring different socioeconomic parts of the communities, diverse communities, together,” said Founder, Dorothea Bongiovi.

Read our feature in their digital edition and learn about the impact we are making throughout New Jersey, with exclusive quotes from our staff! To read more, click here.

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 February 2 2024 

Person of the Year Award

Congratulations to our Board Chairman, Jon Bon Jovi, for being honored with the Person of the Year award by MusiCares! Over the last 18 years, we’ve worked to break the cycle of hunger, poverty, and homelessness. We are excited for the years ahead as we continue expanding our mission through JBJ Soul Foundation and JBJ Soul Kitchen, creating hope, one SOUL at a time.

For more information on the 2024 Gala, including photos and videos from the event, please click here.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: Honoree Jon Bon Jovi accepts the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year award onstage during the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Jon Bon Jovi during the 66th GRAMMY Awards on February 02, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)