Category Archives: Editorial

October 21 2010

In Jon’s Own Words: What I Learned

In just the four years since our Foundation began its work, we saw the faces of those experiencing homelessness change, thus our recent investment in projects that benefit veterans, youth and families.

When Jon began his Circle Tour, he saw it as an opportunity to explore the causes and issues, as well as resources and strategies at work around the country. Here, in his own words, he shares what he learned, how the people he met validated the work we do, and most of all how they touched his heart and SOUL.

Just like the Tour site visits were stops along the way; our Foundation’s journey to combat homelessness has just begun. We thank you for your ongoing support of our Mission.

Sincerely,

Mimi Box, Executive Director
Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation

Please click HERE to watch the video and listen to Jon’s reflection on the places he visited, the people he met, and the affect it had on him

Please Click HERE to listen to the full audio and more in-depth recounts about his visits

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October 5 2010

Happy 4 Year Anniversary!

Here are just a few projects we have completed in four years, thanks to the
generous support of our donors:

Coinciding with the Foundation’s launch on October 6, 2006, the Foundation
announced we would partner with Project H.O.M.E. to
help rebuild 15 homes in North Philadelphia, a project which was completed
in November 2007.
In November 2007, we assisted the Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy Carter Work
Project in launching a 3 year commitment to building an additional 150 homes
in Los Angeles County.
In May 2008, joining again with Project H.O.M.E. we committed to assisting
with building & updating the Saint Elizabeth’s Recovery Residence in
Philadelphia, PA which provides assistance to veterans.
In July 2008 we began construction on a project with Habitat for
Humanity-Detroit and Saturn Hands on Homes, to build 5 new homes in the
MorningSide community on Detroit’s East Side. The first home owner moved in
on December 12, 2008.
In September 2008, we collaborated with HELP USA to break
ground on a 51 unit complex which offers affordable housing with support
services for low-income and special-needs populations in Newark, NJ. The
HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes opened on December 8, 2009.
In July 2009, HomeAid Atlanta and JBJSF broke ground on a the first phase
of a 16-unit apartment complex with a community center. The Phoenix Pass
Complex is a long-term transitional housing complex (the first in Rockdale
County, Georgia) serving families, particularly women with children, who are
experiencing temporary homelessness in the Conyers/Rockdale County
Community. Phoenix Pass took in its first residents in the summer of 2010.

This a sampling of what has been keeping us busy for our first four years
and we are not even close to being done! On this day, as we celebrate our
past, we hope you will help us prepare for our future. With generous
contributions from those who support our work we have accomplished so much
to help provide food and shelter to so many people in great need. Over the
upcoming months, as we prepare for our next projects, we will also be
revisiting our early projects and profiling the faces of those whose lives
have changed as a result of your generosity and support of these programs.

Click here to donate now!

Thank you, all of you, for a spectacular four years and here’s to many more!

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October 1 2010

Congratulations to the Oasis Center!

Congratulations to the Oasis Center on their new kitchen facility and it’s use as a communal space within their program. For the past year and a half they have cooked on a hot plate and flown by the seat of their pants, but now they have a space where youth can cook together, eat together, and congregate all in a really beautiful and functional space. You can find out more about the Oasis Center at OasisCenter.org/.

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September 2 2010

GreenUP Update!

Almost one year later – two of the lots cleaned & greened during the Camden GreenUP in 2009

Visit the Camden GreenUP photo album for before, during, and after shots of some of the lots that were cleaned & greened by the great group of volunteers who came out to support the effort!

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August 9 2010

New Homeowners Move into Homes Rebuilt by JBJSF and Saint Joseph’s Carpenters Society

On June 29th, 2010 one of the homes that the Soul Foundation has helped to rebuild was sold to Angela (pictured above, taken at the closing table). When SJCS spoke with Angela, a nurse’s aide, following her first weekend in her house, she had already painted some of the walls to make the home feel more like hers! She specifically chose this house because of the hardwood floors that funding from the Soul Foundation allowed Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society to install. Her son has terrible asthma and she was excited to find a house with the hardwood floors.

A buyer has also been identified for another home that the Soul Foundation helped restore. Luis has been working with the SJCS program for over 5 years, with the goal being to buy a home. A security guard, and currently living in the basement of his mother’s house in Camden, he is excited to be buying this house which will allow him to reunite his family. The SJCS is working with Luis to buy this house next week by taking advantage of home buyer assistance programs.

With these two houses sold, that leaves one of the Soul Foundation supported homes left to go which SJCS will now be working on full time. All of the demolition has been completed, which was performed by a majority of volunteer crews. SJCS has already identified a buyer for this house, a family who has been working with SJCS to prepare for this next step in owning their own home.

Congratulations to all of our new homeowners – we know it has been a long process and we salute your perseverance and vision!

The photo above includes new homeowner Angela, with her friend, Rosie (mortgage counselor for SJCS) and Richard, owner of Collegiate Title Agency, where the closing took place

To learn more about Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society, Click HERE