This video for “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” was shot in Philadelphia, PA in 2005. The work started in this video gave four local families a place to call home.
January 21 2011
Category Archives: Editorial
January 11 2011
State of Homelessness in America 2011
This comprehensive examination not only reveals national and state level homeless counts, but also delves into economic indicators and demographic drivers – taking an in-depth look at risk factors for homelessness. Built upon the most recent nationally available data from the federal Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Justice, and other public information sources, this report analyzes the effect the recession has had on homelessness and how it has contributed to an increased risk of homelessness for many Americans.
Major Findings
The State of Homelessness in America report consists of four major sections. Chapter 1 chronicles annual changes in overall homelessness and homelessness among families and other subpopulations. Chapter 2 demonstrates how economic risk factors, including unemployment, have increased during the recent economic recession. Chapter 3 identifies some specific populations, including doubled-up people and youth aging out of foster care, that are at increased risk of homelessness and documents trends in the sizes of those populations. Chapter 4 identifies a series of states, including California, Florida, and Nevada, that face multiple risk factors for worsening homelessness.
Key Findings of the Report on Homelessness:
- The nation’s homeless population increased by approximately 20,000 people from 2008 to 2009 (3 percent increase). There were also increased numbers of people experiencing homelessness in each of the sub-populations examined in this report: families, individuals, chronic, unsheltered.
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A majority – 31 of 50 states and the District of Columbia – had increases in their homeless counts. The largest increase was in Louisiana, where the homeless population doubled.
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Among sub-populations, the largest percentage increase was in the number of family households, which increased by over 3,200 households (4 percent increase). Also, the number of persons in families increased by more then 6,000 people (3 percent increase). In Mississippi, the number of people in homeless families increased by 260 percent.
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After population reductions from 2005 to 2008, the number of chronically homeless people in the country remained stagnant from 2008 to 2009, despite an 11 percent increase in the number of permanent supportive housing units.
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While most people experiencing homelessness are sheltered, nearly 4 in 10 were living on the street, in a car, or in another place not intended for human habitation. In Wisconsin, twice as many people experienced homelessness without shelter in 2009 as did in 2008.
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It is widely agreed upon that there is a vast undercount of the number of young people experiencing homelessness. Underscoring this is the fact that 35 percent of all communities reported that there were no homeless youth in their communities in 2009.
Please click HERE to read the entire report.
December 14 2010
PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO APPOINT JON BON JOVI TO WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS
On today’s announcement, Mimi Box, JBJSF Executive Director, said, “Jon has shown tremendous passion for his philanthropic work and great compassion in working with the homeless and those living in poverty. I’m confident he will make significant contributions to the important work of this White House Council.”
The White House’s announcement follows:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2010
President Obama Announces Members of the White House Council for Community Solutions
WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Council for Community Solutions. The Council will provide advice to the President on the best ways to mobilize citizens, nonprofits, businesses and government to work more effectively together to solve specific community needs.
The President also announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to the White House Council for Community Solutions:
•Patty Stonesifer, Chair, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Auguste, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Diana Aviv, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Paula Boggs, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Jon Bon Jovi, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•John Bridgeland, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Jim Canales, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Scott Cowen, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•John Donahoe, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Michael Fleming, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•David Friedman, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Jim Gibbons, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Michele Jolin, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Michael Kempner, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Steven Lerner, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Maurice Lim Miller, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Laurene Powell Jobs, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Norman Rice, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Kristin Richmond, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Judith Rodin, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Nancy H. Rubin, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Paul Schmitz, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Jill Schumann, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Bobbi Silten, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
•Bill Strickland, Member, White House Council for Community Solutions
President Obama said, “These impressive men and women have dedicated their lives and careers to civic engagement and social innovation. I commend them for their outstanding contributions to their communities, and I am confident that they will serve the American people well in their new roles on the White House Council for Community Solutions. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”
In addition to providing advice to the President on solving specific community needs, the White House Council for Community Solutions has been tasked with three key functions: enlisting leaders in the non-profit, private, and philanthropic sectors to make progress on key policy goals; providing strategic input and recommendations to help the federal government promote greater innovation and cross-sector collaboration; and honoring and highlighting those making a significant impact in their own communities. The Council will be composed of leaders from non-profits, corporations and foundations who are committed to social innovation and civic engagement.
December 13 2010
Letter from the Executive Director
During this past year we have witnessed the “dedication” or grand opening of several projects, the tenant selection process of others and the ongoing development of yet others. We congratulate all the hard working individuals and families who, in spite of the harsh economic climate, have been able to experience homeownership for the first time. Our homeownership projects in Camden, NJ with Saint Joseph Carpenter Society and Heart of Camden report that their work continues to be a key to neighborhood revitalization. Additionally, the C.R.I.B. at Hopeworks N’ Camden has been finished and is beginning to move residents into that facility offering students a safe atmosphere with structured learning where youth can succeed.
During 2010, I had the opportunity, along with Jon Bon Jovi and other Board Members, to site visit many organizations across the country who have received national recognition of their best practices in working with those who find themselves homeless. It is encouraging to see that even those organizations, deemed by many to be the best, do not let that “designation” impede innovation. While on the road, we listened, we heard and we then brought that information back to share with others and to better inform our own decision making process. Each location told a different story and you can hear Jon Bon Jovi speak about this by clicking HERE
We thank each of those organizations for taking time to spend with us: DESC in Seattle; The Lamp Community in LA; People Serving People in Minneapolis; Citywalk @ Akard and Salvation Army Cas Youth Center in Dallas; and the Oasis Center in Nashville. The willingness of the people being served at each location to share their stories touched our hearts and left a lasting impression. It also validated the work we do and how we do it. We thank all of you for your support of that work.
Our Board recognizes that none of this would be possible without the broad range of public support we receive. During 2010, our new “online” fundraising efforts were so successful and were supported by many hundreds of individuals, foundations and corporations.
In looking ahead to 2011, we expect another very busy year – both in tracking the progress of current under-construction projects like Covenant House PA and Connelly House both of which should be open by early 2011 – as well as creating partnerships for exciting new projects that we anticipate having a major impact in addressing the need for affordable housing.
And finally, our community kitchen pilot program, Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen, is still operating successfully in Red Bank, NJ. During 2011 we anticipate further expansion of this initiative. It would not be possible without all the volunteers that apply their special talents to provide nutritious meals to this client population.
Thank you for helping us to make a difference, one Soul at a time…
With sincere thanks,
Mimi Box, Executive Director
December, 2010
December 12 2010
Give the Gift of Soul This Season!
Thank you for your continued support of the Foundation & we encourage everyone to volunteer their time to help those in need this holiday season.
**Happy Holidays from the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation! **
Click HERE to Give a Gift Today!
