Category Archives: Editorial

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

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December 8 2009

MAYOR BOOKER AND JON BON JOVI CUT RIBBON & OPEN GENESIS PROJECT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Newark, NJ – December 8, 2009 – Mayor Cory A. Booker was joined by Jon Bon Jovi, North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr., HELP USA Chairman Maria Cuomo Cole, and other local leaders to cut the ribbon to open HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes on Oriental Street and Mt. Pleasant Avenue in the City’s North Ward. This public-private partnership with Mr. Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul Foundation and developer HELP USA has produced 51 new units of affordable housing with support services for low-income and special-needs person. The residents includes environmentally-friendly “green” features such as a green roof, other components of New Jersey’s Green Futures program and qualifies for LEED certification. There will be a 2,500 square-foot community center as well.

“These new homes will provide much needed stability and comfort to Newark families. High quality, affordable housing, connected to community activities, social services, employment training and opportunities, this is the model for successfully redeveloping our neighborhoods. The public-private partnership with HELP USA, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, the State and the City is just the most recent of a number of exciting new projects that we are supporting to create new, quality, affordable housing,” said Mayor Booker. Under the Mayor’s leadership, the City has doubled the production of affordable housing and is moving to continue the trend.

“Newark’s time is now,” said Jon Bon Jovi, “As the Mayor enhances the city’s offerings to attract visitors, businesses and new residents, we are working together to meet the needs of current residents who may not be able to afford market rate rents. Many of the residents who will live in these homes will have some type of special need, be it rehabilitation, medical care, child care, or vocational training, and we want to see to it that those needs are affordably and realistically met.”

Over the past four years, Mr. Bon Jovi and The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation have been instrumental in providing homes to more than 200 low-income individuals and families throughout the country. The estimated construction cost of the Newark project is $10.4 million.

“HELP USA is proud to be a part of this dynamic public private partnership. Under the innovative leadership of Mayor Booker, Governor Jon Corzine, visionary and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, HELP USA will be able to bring its years of experience in developing service enriched permanent housing to working families and people living with HIV/AIDS in Newark’s North Ward,” said Ms. Cole.

The families residing at HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes will receive a continuum of services to promote family stabilization, case management, and employment services provided both by HELP staff and local providers. In addition, HELP’s community center will offer programs designed to meet the needs of both the HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes tenants and the residents of the North Ward. HELP’s Mentoring USA program will provide one-on-one onsite mentoring for Newark’s children. HELP will work with the City of Newark, community leaders, such as Council Member Ramos, and local service providers from the North Ward to tailor the specific services provided at the community center.

“HELP’s Newark Genesis Apartments is a major part of the redevelopment of the area around Rafael Hernandez School. With market rate and affordable housing, and an integrated facility with post-acute care AIDS services, this housing complex will connect residents with each other, their community, and a continuum of care. We are grateful for the support of Jon Bon Jovi, Mayor Booker, and the Municipal Council for supporting our efforts to improve the quality of life for Newark residents,” said Council Member Ramos.

Twenty-five percent of the apartments have tenants living with AIDS, making HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes the first residential facility in New Jersey to provide permanent housing that is fully integrated with the services of a post-acute care AIDS facility. In this case, the tenants were referred by Broadway House for Continuing Care, a post-acute care AIDS facility just a few blocks away in the North Ward. Broadway House staff will provide medical case-management and counseling on-site at HELP Genesis JBJ Soul Homes in order to meet the clients’ ongoing medical needs. The proximity and seamless service integration between HELP USA and Broadway House will ensure continuity of care and facilitate the clients’ successful return to independent living in their own communities. Broadway House is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).

Led by the efforts of the Economic Development Department’s Housing and Real Estate Division, the City of Newark has provided planning and development support for the project, including “gap” financing in the amount of $1.4 million funded through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Home Investment Partnership Program.

Jon Bon Jovi’s involvement with HELP USA dates back to Fall 2006, when Jon Bon Jovi and designer Kenneth Cole joined together in an effort they dubbed, “R.S.V.P. to HELP.” Leading up to the 2006-2007 holiday season, the two partnered on a collaborative, limited-edition outerwear collection and a holiday gala to raise awareness and support for homelessness. Proceeds from the sale of the limited edition jackets, gala tickets, donations, and online auction raised funds that became the seed money for the HELP USA build in Newark. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Kenneth Cole’s R.S.V.P. fragrance products – the campaign featured Jon Bon Jovi issuing a plea for Americans “answer the call” to help others – were donated to Habitat For Humanity, HELP USA, and Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

Elle Decor and designer Elaine Griffin have donated their time and resources to create a sample apartment at Newark Soul Homes. All furnishings have been provided by HomeGoods who in turn is donating gift cards to all 51 units for use in their stores.

HELP USA, a leading national nonprofit developer of supportive service housing for the homeless, low income families and special needs population – has developed the Newark project in collaboration with architectural services from George Marks of Kramer/Marks and financial and development consultant, Metro Company, LLC (Metro), and Claremont Construction Group.

About the City of Newark, New Jersey
Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please Click HERE

ABOUT HELP USA:
HELP USA is a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower the homeless and others in need to become and remain self-reliant. HELP USA was founded in 1986, and has grown to become one of the largest builders and operators of service-enriched transitional and low-income permanent housing in the nation. To date, HELP USA has developed more than 1,938 units of housing and operates 30 residential sites across the country, including transitional housing for homeless adults, families, and veterans; shelters for victims of domestic violence; and permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless and low-income families.

For more information on HELP USA, please Click HERE

To read an article on this event on NewJerseyNewsRoom.com, please Click HERE

To read an article on this event on Metro Green Business, please Click HERE