To read more and see photos of Soul Kitchen, please visit our website: www.jbjsoulkitchen.org
September 12 2011
A Heartfelt Thank You From the Soul Kitchen

September 12 2011
To read more and see photos of Soul Kitchen, please visit our website: www.jbjsoulkitchen.org
September 1 2011
Additional applications for this emergency bridge loan program will be accepted in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
EHLP will assist homeowners in these states who have experienced a reduction in income and are at risk of foreclosure due to involuntary unemployment or underemployment, due to economic conditions or a medical condition. Eligible homeowners can qualify for an interest-free loan, which pays a portion of their monthly mortgage for up to two years, or up to $50,000, whichever comes first.
Homeowners are encouraged to visit www.FindEHLP.org to find contact information for all participating counseling agencies, to access the Applicant Screening Worksheet, the required Documents for All Applicants Checklist and more information on the EHLP assistance and its eligibility requirements. Homeowners may also call the toll free hotline, (855) FIND-EHLP (346-3345).
In addition, Homeowners must contact a participating counseling agency for more information in order to determine their eligibility for the program and to apply for mortgage assistance. Only participating counseling agencies can accept applications from homeowners.
Since EHLP funds are provided to qualified homeowners on a first-come, first-served basis, it is critical homeowners provide all required documents in a timely manner or risk losing the opportunity to apply for assistance under the program. There is no cost to apply for this program.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act authorizes HUD to administer a $1 billion Emergency Homeowners Loan Program nationwide. EHLP provides up to 24 months of assistance to homeowners who have experienced a substantial reduction in income due to involuntary unemployment, underemployment, or a medical condition and are at-risk of foreclosure. Qualified families can receive a zero-percent loan to help them pay their mortgage. This emergency bridge loan will gradually be forgiven provided the homeowner remains in their property for five years.
HUD is aggressively promoting this emergency mortgage assistance program to nearly 80,000 homeowners in these 27 states and Puerto Rico with mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and who are at least 90-days delinquent on their loan payments.
About the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.
About NeighborWorks® America
NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated $20 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.
July 11 2011
Located in Red Bank, NJ the Soul Kitchen is a community restaurant with no prices on the menus; customers pay what they can afford. If you are unable to pay, you may do volunteer work in exchange for your family’s meals. Our mission is to serve nutritious dinners in a warm and welcoming setting, where communities can come together.
The Soul Kitchen is currently closed while under renovation, but please continue to visit our new website, www.jbjsoulkitchen.org for information & updates as well as our Grand Opening date once scheduled.
June 6 2011
Monday’s session was hosted at the Youth Education & Employment Success (Ye²s) Centers of New Jersey and attended by the youth they serve. Youth served by other local organizations also participated, including Newark Now, HELP USA, La Casa de Don Pedro and Newark Works (City One-Stop). In New Orleans (4/29), youth attended from local organizations Café Reconcile, Liberty’s Kitchen, Youth Empowerment Project and Tulane Drop In Center. In Atlanta (5/13), youth attended who have been served by the Goodwill Career Center, Chris Kids and Visions Youth Leadership Academy. In Houston (5/16) youth served by SEARCH Homeless Houston, Goodwill Houston, Community in Schools and Gulf Coast Trades Center attended.
The Council’s findings will be compiled in a final report in an effort to highlight solutions and recommendations for the President.
Currently, less than half of young Americans have the education, training and skills needed to compete in today’s workforce by age 25. President Obama established the White House Council to bring all sectors together – individuals, business, community organizations, philanthropy, and government – to identify solutions to pressing issues, help young people succeed, and make lasting progress on our national priorities.
The Council listening tour adds to the White House’s broader effort to engage young people nationwide through youth roundtables. After the roundtables, youth participants can submit their most pressing issues and most inspiring solutions to the White House’s Your Future, Your Solutions: 100 Youth Strategies to Win the Future website at www.whitehouse.gov/youngamericans. This effort enables the administration to hear directly from young people about the challenges they face and connect participants with Obama Administration officials through conference calls, web chats, and other opportunities.
Established in December 2010 by President Obama, the White House Council for Community Solutions will focus on an issue with critical near-term and long-term consequences for our nation’s health and economic strength – the responsibility of our society to ensure adolescents and young adults are prepared to live productive and prosperous lives. The Council is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. More information about the WHCCS can be found at www.serve.gov/council.
****Your Future, Your Solutions: 100 Youth Strategies to Win the Future** is an effort that enables the administration to hear directly from young people about the challenges they face. The initiative connects participants with Obama Administration officials through conference calls, web chats, and other opportunities. For more information go to www.whitehouse.gov/youngamericans.
May 17 2011
“Bringing this project to life was a tremendous team effort between Project H.O.M.E., Bethesda Project, the Connelly Foundation, The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, St. John the Evangelist Church and the local community,” said Sister Mary Scullion, Executive Director of Project H.O.M.E. “It is a great feeling to see all of the hard work and collaboration pay off as we recently filled the last room in Connelly House, which 79 men and women now call home.”
The .18-acre square-shaped site is located in the center of Philadelphia’s business district at 13th and Market Streets. The eight-story building is 63,620 square-feet and consists of 79 single resident units. The building also features a multi-purpose room, a laundry room, an exercise room, multiple kitchens, offices, storage and a lobby/reception area. The building, located behind St. John the Evangelist church, is surrounded by commercial and institutional buildings, including the SEPTA building, Loews hotel, Macy’s, and the PSFS building, among many others.
“It is not often you see an affordable housing facility built in the heart of Center City,” said Father Domenic Rossi, Executive Director of Bethesda Project. “The support this project has received from the community has been remarkable, and illustrates that Philadelphia shares our passion to end homelessness. The Connelly House residents will have close and easy access to transportation and all of the great opportunities Center City offers its residents, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the results of this collaboration.”
Another important aspect of the building is that it will be LEED-certified. Environmentally-friendly components of the building include a green roof, highly insulated walls to improve thermal performance, a rainwater collection system for irrigation and non-potable use, high-efficiency mechanical systems and lighting, 20% of materials for the facility are constructed using recycled content and 75% of all demolition materials were recycled. The project is currently seeking Silver LEED Certification status in all six categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Material and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation and Design Process.
In addition to serving as a living space, the new building also houses parish offices and a community room for Project H.O.M.E and Bethesda Project programs. The two parts of the building have separate entrances and are designed to operate independently. The residential component has direct street access and embodies many features and amenities often found in Center City apartment buildings.
“Connelly Foundation has partnered with Project H.O.M.E. since its early efforts toward improving the quality of life of innumerable Philadelphians. Our Founders, John and Josephine Connelly, would be honored to have their names associated with this wonderful new building that will be a place of respite and hope.”
Samir Duncan, a Connelly House resident, said “I feel blessed to be living at Connelly House and I am in love with it here. I see such potential for the residents to form a strong community that will give voice to those who don’t always have a voice—homeless men and women and those suffering from mental illness and recovery.”
About Project H.O.M.E
Since 1989, Project H.O.M.E. has helped more than 8,000 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. The organization also works to prevent homelessness and poverty through comprehensive neighborhood revitalization in North Philadelphia. These efforts include the renovation of vacant or deteriorated houses that are then sold to first-time homebuyers; economic reinvestment along the Ridge Avenue Corridor; adult and youth education and enrichment programs at the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs; and community-based health care services. To learn more, visit www.projecthome.org
About Bethesda Project
The mission of Bethesda Project is to find and care for the abandoned poor and to be family with those who have none. Since its founding in 1979, Bethesda Project staff and volunteers have helped single men and women who are homeless in Philadelphia by providing emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, and supportive services designed to help people leave homelessness behind and live a life of human dignity. The organization serves more than 6,000 different individuals annually at 16 sites in and around Center City. For information on how to support Bethesda Project as a volunteer or a donor, please visit www.bethesdaproject.org