To see more photos, click here.

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation joins Northern Children’s Services (formerly Northern Home for Children) as they celebrate the grand opening of Merrick Hall which will be home to formerly homeless teenage mothers and children

Philadelphia, July 31, 2014—When Jon Bon Jovi first stepped on Northern Children’s Services campus about ten years ago, he recognized the beauty in one particular building, Merrick Hall. Today, Merrick Hall opened its doors back up again for the first time at the Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremony.

The relationship between Northern Children Services and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation began back in 2004 when the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football team built a beautiful playground on the campus. Throughout the last decade the partnership has continued – culminating in JBJ Soul Foundation’s support of the renovation of Merrick Hall.

“From day one on the campus of Northern Children’s Services some ten years ago, I marveled at the history and hidden beauty of that old building – Merrick Hall,” stated Jon Bon Jovi, Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “When this project came about, it was a natural fit for us to provide one of the lead donations for this building. It is wonderful to see it now fully restored to glory and in use for such a purposeful cause – addressing the needs of young mothers in this community.”

Not only does Merrick Hall stand for the successful future of the Generations program, it represents the rich history behind the past 161 years of service of Northern Children’s Services. Thanks to this newly renovated building, the organization will be able to change the lives of more young women and children in the community who need it most, just as it was able to do in 1853 for orphans described as “innocent victims of social poverty during an era of unparalleled economic luxury.”

“The (Merrick) building will now expand our capacity to serve the needs of the Generation programs. In addition, it will provide 4 permanent housing units for our homeless Mother/Baby population. This is a tremendous accomplishment for Northern and the community that we serve. I am extremely proud and thankful to our Board of Directors, supporters and donors. Without their support, this would have not been possible,” said Tracey Lavallias, CEO and President of Northern Children’s Service.

A current resident of the Generations program, Brittney, gave a tearful speech to the crowd explaining the significant impact Northern Children’s Services and Generations program has had on the life of her and her son, Rashee.

“With all of this love and support given I was able to graduate from high school on time despite the fact I had my son at a young age. Furthermore, NCS as a team was very helpful and a huge blessing in making my prom a vigilant success,” Brittney said. “Ms. Cherenne (Peoples), Ms. Rasheedah (Small), Ms. Isis (Polard) and Ms. Nakia (Gordon), thank you for never turning your cheek. When times got rough – those times when I felt like giving up – your words of encouragement helped me through.”

For the full press release from this event, please click here

For more information on the Merrick renovation, capital campaign or Northern Children’s Services, please visit their website.

To see more photos, click HERE.

To read a story about this project on Philly.com, click HERE.

Rebuilding Together, in partnership with the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation and Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, announced today that the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation is joining Rebuilding Together’s Building a Healthy Neighborhood project in the Overbrook neighborhood in Philadelphia.

The Building a Healthy Neighborhood project recruits hundreds of volunteers, local leaders and officials to rehabilitate nearly 30 homes in the Overbrook neighborhood June 14 – 16. The work will address local families’ critical needs, including major interior and exterior rehabilitations, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades. The volunteers will also participate in community clean-up and the installation of a new playground at the Overbook Environmental Education Center in partnership with Carter Oosterhouse’s charity Carter’s Kids.

The Building a Healthy Neighborhood mission is to demonstrate the positive effects of home and neighborhood revitalization on the overall health of homeowners, families and communities. The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has come on board as a partner, bringing along knowledge of the City after having participated in various housing projects in the past throughout Philadelphia. According to the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, the common theme of all of their past revitalization efforts has been to help strengthen the community by improving (or preserving) the housing stock and thus the lives of those within the community.

“We were excited for the opportunity to partner with Rebuilding Together on this project,” said Mimi Box, Executive Director of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “Upon hearing about the work they were setting out to do, we realized this build fits in perfectly with our model for community revitalization and incorporates the elements we look for in each build in which we participate: 1) the housing component – and here will affect the lives of 30 homeowners; 2) services and community support through the Education Center; 3) making the homes more energy-efficient; and 4) the very large volunteer component. Volunteerism is something that the JBJ Soul Foundation has long supported and is a cornerstone of our mission.”

“We are thrilled that the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation will be supporting Building A Healthy Neighborhood in Overbrook with Rebuilding Together and Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation,” said Gary A. Officer, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “To see the momentum build among our sponsors and volunteers and know that the effort we are making will help sustain a landmark Philadelphia neighborhood in a healthy and viable manner is inspiring.”

“Creating safe and healthy living environments in the homes impacted by the Building a Healthy Neighborhood project helps bring vitality to families, neighborhoods and communities,” said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “Our Lowe’s Heroes network of employee volunteers will be hard at work with community volunteers in Philadelphia to help make a difference for the families of Overbrook.”

Volunteers from Lowe’s, Wells Fargo, Citrin Cooperman, Rebuilding Together’s CapacityCorps alumni, Choice Hotels, and HGTV and DIY Network, will revitalize the Overbrook neighborhood and community center, as part of Rebuilding Together’s mission to provide a safe and healthy home for every person.

For more pictures from this event, click HERE

To watch the video introduction for Leo Carlin & Jon Bon Jovi that played at the event, click HERE

Jon Bon Jovi Receives Beacon of Hope Award;
Former First Lady Laura Bush Attended

NEW YORK, June 12, 2012 — Homeless youth working towards brighter futures had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform with Broadway stars at Covenant House’s A Night of Broadway Stars gala on Tuesday June 12 on the stage of Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. A Night of Broadway Stars began at 6:00 pm with a cocktail reception. The show started at 7:30 pm, followed by a dessert reception with the stars.

Rock star and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi ** received Covenant House’s “Beacon of Hope Award,” honoring his extensive support of the homeless young people striving to turn their lives around at the shelter for homeless, runaway and at-risk youth. **Leo Carlin, President of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, was also honored with the Beacon of Hope Award for his long time commitment and work with Covenant House in Philadelphia.

“All kids need love, guidance and mentors who lead by example,” said Bon Jovi. “Yet some have had to grow up fast and have had more than their share of challenges. But thanks to organizations like Covenant House there is always hope.”

“Jon has been a friend to Covenant House for over 20 years, giving of his resources and time and talent to build new homes and new lives for homeless kids,” said Covenant House President Kevin Ryan. “Joining with Leo Carlin, The Soul Foundation has become a beacon of hope, leading the way in the fight against homelessness by providing not only compassion, but practical, long-term solutions. We cannot thank Jon and Leo enough for being such important members of our Covenant House family.”

This star-studded evening was hosted by renowned lyricist and composer Neil Berg, and included a full revue of performances by some of Broadway’s greatest talents, including 2012 Best Actor Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan and his Newsies co-star Capathia Jenkins, Ron Bohmer and Rita Harvey from Phantom of the Opera, Lawrence Clayton from Les Misérables, Rob Evan from Jekyll and Hyde, film and TV star Karla Mosley and Danny Zolli from Jesus Christ Superstar.

Olivia Harrison, wife of the great Beatle and philanthropist George Harrison, received the Casa Alianza Hands of Peace Award for her support of Casa Alianza (Covenant House) Guatemala. Her support has provided love, hope and protection to homeless youth in Latin America, helping to save thousands of lives. Ryan says, “No Covenant House 40th Year Anniversary would be complete without recognizing Olivia’s and George’s role in making our Latin American programs possible, and we are honored and blessed to thank her in this special way.”

Also honored for his service to homeless youth was Tom McGee, National Managing Partner of Deloitte Growth Enterprise Services. McGee received the International Board Service Award for his work as a driving force for change in the battle against homelessness. “Tom has been an incredible gift to our kids as a member of our Board, from sleeping outside of our New York shelter to raise funds and awareness for our kids, to traveling internationally to our sites to learn the issues and be part of real solutions to the problems our kids face,” said Ryan.

Ryan added, “It is also very appropriate that on our 40th anniversary, our Co-Chairs are Laura and Barbara Bush. Ever since President George H.W. Bush visited our kids over 20 years ago, three generations of the Bush family have championed the cause of our kids. Former First Lady Laura Bush and her daughter Barbara have continued the tradition by taking the time to know our kids and stepping up to help whenever our kids have needed their support.
“Covenant House has thousands of homeless youth working towards their dreams in six countries at our 21 locations every day – over 56,000 last year alone,” said Ryan. “Supporting A Night of Broadway Stars gives our kids a chance to make dreams come true … a chance to dream of jobs, of homes, of families of their own.”

To learn more about the event, visit www.nightofbroadwaystarsnyc.org.

Founded in 1972, Covenant House is the largest privately funded agency in the Americas helping homeless kids, providing 24/7 crisis care and ongoing support at 21 facilities, www.NINELINE.org, Covenant House NINELINE (1-800-999-9999) and www.covenanthouse.org