Author Archives: Soul Foundation

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 February 18 2010 

JON BON JOVI VISITS SEATTLE’S 1811 EASTLAKE HOUSING FOR HOMELESS MEN & WOMEN

Mr. Bon Jovi first heard about 1811 Eastlake – a facility of the DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) when H.U.D. Secretary Shaun Donovan referred to them in his speech at the National Association To End Homelessness Conference.

Bon Jovi has been in Seattle rehearsing for the kick-off of the band’s “The Circle World Tour” here on Friday, Feb. 19th, and the rock star philanthropist took time to reach out to the DESC staff. A visit to 1811 Eastlake was arranged to see first-hand and discuss their Housing First model of providing housing to those in need while also offering on-site support services intended to address the core issues that have led to chronic homelessness.

Through his own non-profit organization, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, Mr. Bon Jovi has focused for several years on a core mission of of focusing resources on creating innovative partnerships that help break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and /or homelessness. Funding priorities have been affordable “green” housing and community revitalization.

About DESC – Downtown Emergency Service Center – DESC is one of the largest multi-service non-profit agencies in the Pacific Northwest serving over 6,500 homeless adults annually. The DESC serves the most disabled and vulnerable subset of homeless adults – individuals who are mentally ill, chemically dependent, female, elderly, physically or developmentally disabled and/or medically compromised. They provide a “continuum of care” that includes emergency services and overnight shelter, clinical services and supportive housing. Governed by a Board of Directors, DESC currently provides its programs based on an annual budget of $20 million, with a staff of nearly 400. DESC receives funding from the City, County, State and Federal governments, along with United Way and private philanthropy. The DESC has been recognized by HUD and others not just for quality, but for effective integration across programs that constitutes a “continuum of care” within the agency.

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 February 15 2010 

UPDATE: HOMEAID ATLANTA AND JBJSF PARTNER TO BUILD THE PHOENIX PASS COMPLEX

Phoenix Pass will be a long-term transitional housing complex, the first in Rockdale County, serving families, particularly women with children, who are experiencing temporary homelessness in the Conyers/Rockdale County Community. Phoenix Pass is being constructed through the assistance of HomeAid Atlanta, a nonprofit organization that builds housing for the homeless. The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation’s partnership with HomeAid Atlanta has allowed the Phoenix Pass project to come to fruition, supplying critical gap funding needed to begin the first phase of construction.

Phoenix Pass consists of a two eight-unit apartment buildings as well as a community center. The groundbreaking took place in July of 2009 and the project is currently in Phase One, which will include one of the apartment buildings and the community center (see Photos link above). Phase Two will include the second apartment building.

Of the 16 total apartment units, 14 units will be 775 square feet each, and two units (one per building) will be 866 square feet each for ADA compliance. Each apartment unit will include a kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and a private bathroom. All units have central A/C and heat and the build incorporates many green building elements. One family will occupy each unit (each unit can accommodate up to six family members).

Anchored by a lighthouse, the community center will include an activity room, meeting room, laundry room, storage area, four restrooms, two kitchenettes and staff office. Phoenix Pass will provide transitional housing for up to two years along with a case management program, a mentorship program, life skills classes (e.g. financial management, family management, job assistance) and aftercare programs. RER provides assistance and supportive services for families living and/or working in the Rockdale County community.

UPDATE
As of Monday, February 15th, 2010, Phoenix Pass is currently moving along at a great pace! The brick and siding have been fully installed on the apartment building, and the windows are being installed on the lighthouse. The process of finalizing the selection of paint colors is almost complete and the painting of the exterior should begin shortly. A trench will soon be dug for piping for the fire sprinkler system. When the trench has been filled in, the exterior concrete flatwork and iron railings can be installed on the apartment building. Check out the Phoenix Pass Photo Gallery for pictures of what the project currently looks like.

The dedication of Phoenix Pass is anticipated to be in the Spring of 2010!

Check back for more updates as the project nears completion!

For more information on HomeAid Atlanta and Project Pass, please Click HERE

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 January 21 2010 

Letter from the Executive Director of the JBJSF

As the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation looks forward to 2010, I can not help but reflect on all the relationships we have forged and partnerships created that have enabled us to affect so many lives. I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to work with many dedicated, compassionate, creative and energetic partners this past year. It has been our pleasure to see each organization challenge themselves to be better, more innovative and, of course on top of all that, incorporate “green” and environmentally friendly strategies or practices to their work.

We ended 2009 with a flurry of community activities: the Greater Camden Partnership’s Lot Stabilization Program; a November gathering of residents of the Project H.O.M.E. community in North Philadelphia; the test of a “community kitchen” concept in Red Bank, NJ; the dedication of Help Genesis JBJ Soul Homes in Newark, NJ; the funding of two affordable housing projects in Camden, NJ with Saint Joseph Carpenter Society and Heart of Camden.

My thanks to the entire JBJSF Board which has provided me with much guidance and support in formulating the goals and vision of our fledgling organization. Added thanks to Board Member Jon Bon Jovi, who was featured on the NBC Making a Difference segment, named as NBC’s first “Artist in Residence”; spoke at the United Nations World Habitat Day; performed at the launch of the United We Serve program; and helped with round-table discussions in Camden, NJ. All of these efforts assist in giving a voice to those in the community that do not have the ability to draw attention to their plight.

None of this would be possible without the dedication and support of so many people and grassroots community organizations who have provided guidance and insight into the many social issues, but have also introduced us to those in need with whom we have formed lasting relationships.

2010 brings the promise of another very active year and the dedication of our Phoenix Pass project with partner HomeAid in Conyers, GA and the Connelly House project in Philadelphia. We will also keep tabs on our two Camden “homeownership” projects as we look for other innovative ways to support this community. Going forward we pledge to continue to support each other as well as challenge our partners to better serve our most vulnerable neighbors.

Thank you for helping us to make a difference, one Soul at a time…

Mimi Baumgardner Box

Executive Director

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 January 12 2010 

JBJSF WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER

“The addition of Sr. Mary Scullion to our Board brings unparalleled expertise in addressing issues involving homelessness and affordable housing. We have witnessed Sr. Mary’s compassion and determination in working to better the lives of those who are seeking solutions to their daily struggles of poverty and homelessness. The entire Board is excited to have her advice and consult in furthering our mission of combating these persistent societal problems,” said Mimi Box, Executive Director of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

Sister Mary Scullion has been involved in service work and advocacy for homeless and mentally ill persons since 1978. In 1988 she helped found the Outreach Coordination Center, an innovative program coordinating private and public agencies doing outreach to chronically homeless persons in Center City Philadelphia. In 1989, Sister Mary and Joan Dawson McConnon co-founded Project H.O.M.E., which currently provides 459 units of housing in Philadelphia, including 272 units of supportive housing for formerly homeless men, women and families. Project H.O.M.E. also works in a low-income neighborhood to prevent homelessness thru development of homeownership, open space management, economic development, adult and youth education and employment initiatives.

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 December 10 2009 

JBJSF Thanks ICAP for their Long Time Support & Generous Donation

This year marked an unprecedented third time that the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has been selected as one of the charities that will benefit from ICAP’s generosity.

Since the inception of Charity Day in 1993, ICAP has raised over $100 million for more than 700 well-deserving causes worldwide. In 2008, the company raised a record $16.3 million globally on Charity Day.

As part of the day’s activities, ICAP hosted several of the charities’ celebrity spokespeople to rally employee enthusiasm and interact with clients to boost trading volumes.

“What an incredibly innovative way ICAP has found to engage employees in a magnificently executed expression of social responsibility. Their ‘Charity Day – Every Deal Counts’ program will have lasting impact in so many communities throughout the world. Thank you ICAP!” said Mimi Box, Executive Director of Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

For more information on ICAP, please Click HERE