Bon Jovi was joined by Camden Mayor Dana Redd, donors supporting the initiative and residents who have benefited from services of The Joseph Fund.

“We remain committed to Camden,” Jon Bon Jovi said about the Soul Foundation’s involvement in this project. “Today we have had the opportunity to see the progress on what a year ago was just a vision. We offer our sincere thanks to all the organizations and individuals involved in making Joseph’s House possible.”

The mission of Joseph’s House is to work collaboratively with others to aid the homeless men and women of Camden by offering a continuum of services including emergency shelter, a range of supportive housing, and access to comprehensive social services. Previously, Joseph’s House operated as a temporary, six-month facility offering food and shelter for the area’s chronically homeless during the winter months. When complete, the new site of Joseph’s House will accommodate 75 adults each night, providing food, shelter and support services for Camden’s homeless population year-round, with a longer-term goal of developing day programs.

“We understand the importance of providing onsite social services in addressing the long-term cycle of homelessness. With this new facility, we will expand those services to more men and women in need and help them secure stable futures,” said John Klein, executive director, Joseph’s House.

“Joseph’s House is designed to connect individuals with services that can lead them out of homelessness. Through help from our community partners, we hope to provide the help necessary for those who visit us to escape poverty,” said Monsignor McDermott, board chairman of The Joseph Fund and pastor, St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral, who helped Klein spearhead the transition of Joseph’s House from a temporary facility into a year-round operation.

Joseph’s House will partner with Project H.O.P.E., an organization dedicated to serving the medical and social needs of the homeless population, to provide case management services and health care, mental health and substance abuse services. In addition, Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center will operate a free onsite medical clinic utilizing volunteer physicians and nurses.

“The physical collaboration of providing shared services in one facility is unique to the city of Camden. Joseph’s House will be the only shelter offering this array of social services under one roof,” said Mark Hodges, executive director, The Joseph Fund.

Renovations of the building, located at 555 Atlantic Ave. in Camden, began in September and will continue to undergo renovations in order to house the Café Program, administrative offices and offices for social service partners of Joseph’s House. The project is expected to be completed by December 2013.

In addition to support from the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, Joseph’s House is being funded by contributions from the TD Bank Foundation, Halloran Philanthropies and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Haydinger.

Since 2006, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has provided solutions and opportunity for families and individuals in economic despair. The organization assists in establishing programs that provide food and affordable housing for those affected by poverty and homelessness, while supporting social services and job-training programs.

The Joseph Fund supports six ministries that provide housing and youth programs, convert abandoned buildings into affordable homes, and much more to the Camden community. In addition to Joseph’s House, programs of The Joseph Fund include The St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society, St. Joseph’s Elementary School, The Child Development Center, Lifting Up Camden’s Youth (L.U.C.Y.), and Romero Center Ministries.

From L to R: Pilar Hogan, Mark Hodges, Monsignor McDermott, and Jon Bon Jovi

To see more images from Jon Bon Jovi’s visit, please visit our Photo Gallery

For more information on Joseph’s House, visit josephshouseofcamden.org.
To learn more about The Joseph Fund or any of its six ministries, visit josephfundcamden.org/.

What is very evident in each community are the bonds formed between volunteers and residents in the aftermath of the storm. We heard stories from residents who over the course of the past year experienced shock and despair – as well as hope and overwhelming kindnesses from people around the country they did not even know before the storm hit.

We, once again, had the opportunity to thank those first responders who put their lives in harms way to save others. Jon Bon Jovi remembers those first hours after the storm in Sea Bright, and fittingly that was one of our stops today where we got to see the volunteer efforts still underway.

Jon Bon Jovi commented: “A year to the day we continue to thank all the first responders and our neighbors in New York and New Jersey for being there for each other in our time of need. This photo (below) is of 2 vehicles we purchased for responders to help serve our community and yours.” – JBJ

For more photos from today please visit our Photo Gallery

Thanks to all who continue to serve these communities!
-Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation

As of mid-August, selective demolition has been completed and the final cleanup is occurring in the existing building. The foundation for the apartment addition has been replaced and the walls are being installed inside, with the new interior framing also beginning to take shape.

This project is looking at about a 9 month completion schedule and we hope to celebrate the opening in late March or early April 2014. We will keep you updated on this project as things move along and we thank you for your support. Without it, projects like these would not be possible. You are helping us make a difference…one SOUL at a time.

To view photos of the progress at Merrick Hall, visit our PHOTO ALBUM

To read the press release from the groundbreaking, please click HERE

To view all the photos from this event, please visit our Photo Gallery

Many of our Community Partners and friends are still in need of help after suffering the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy. All donations received through this campaign will go directly to assist them in rebuilding. If you would like to donate to the JBJ Soul Foundation Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Fund, please click HERE

Below is the full press release from the event:

BON JOVI DONATES $1 MILLION TO HURRICANE SANDY NEW JERSEY RELIEF FUND

Donation will add to the Relief Fund’s efforts to assist organizations involved in home repairs and rebuilding projects throughout New Jersey communities

(Sayreville, NJ) – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, rock legend Jon Bon Jovi and First Lady Mary Pat Christie announced a $1 million dollar donation from Bon Jovi to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, chaired by Mrs. Christie. The ceremony and announcement of the donation took place at the Sayreville Borough Hall with New Jersey’s First Lady Mary Pat Christie, Governor Chris Christie, musician Jon Bon Jovi, Sayreville Mayor Kennedy O’Brien and members of the Sayreville community in attendance.

“This incredibly generous donation from Bon Jovi to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund will go a long way in the rebuilding process,” said Governor Christie. “From day one, Jon has been one of the most visible faces for Sandy recovery here in his hometown of Sayreville and throughout the entire state. On behalf of a grateful people, I thank Jon and Bon Jovi for all of the great work they’ve done for New Jersey.”

Bon Jovi is a native New Jersey band and was among the all-star line-up for 12/12/12: The Concert for Sandy Relief. In the days immediately following Hurricane Sandy, Jon Bon Jovi toured his hometown of Sayreville, spoke with residents, and witnessed the massive damage firsthand. The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded to combat issues that force families and individuals into economic despair, is active in the ongoing Hurricane Sandy recovery process working with federal, state and local officials to direct donations and resources to local recovery efforts and those in need. This one-million dollar donation by Bon Jovi to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund represents the band’s ongoing commitment to the people of their home state and to rebuilding a stronger New Jersey together.

“Natural disasters spare no one,” said Bon Jovi frontman, Jon Bon Jovi, a Sayreville native. “But you can’t imagine the devastation, destruction and despair until Mother Nature takes aim at your hometown. This is bittersweet; it’s heartbreaking to see our fellow New Jerseyans so affected by the ravages of Hurricane Sandy but we’re happy to make this donation and offer real, substantial help to the residents of Sayreville and the nearby, low-lying communities as they rebuild their homes and lives.”

The Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund is a non-profit organization that raises and distributes funds to organizations supporting the recovery and rebuilding efforts of New Jersey communities impacted by the storm. The Relief Fund’s priority is to work with community-based non-profit organizations to ensure funds support initiatives such as mental health services, economic development, financial counseling and assistance for those who have lost homes and jobs, mold remediation, and home repairs. Fifty one grants have been awarded to date totaling $11 million, with the next grant cycle to be announced later this week.

“Thousands of New Jersey residents, including many here in Sayreville, still haven’t returned to their homes. This donation will help the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund ‘fill the gap’ between the cost of repairs and other aid received by homeowners to restore or reconstruct their homes,” said New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie. “The generous support we continue to receive from so many around the world and especially from homegrown heroes like Jon Bon Jovi will help fellow New Jerseyans complete the work necessary to make their homes livable.” Mrs. Christie stressed, “We are so grateful to Bon Jovi for the love and commitment they have toward their home state and for this charitable donation to the Relief Fund.”

About the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund
The Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund distributes funds to organizations that support the recovery and rebuilding efforts of New Jersey communities impacted by the storm. The Relief Fund aims to make a sustainable, long-term impact and has awarded 51 grants totaling $11 million, to date, for home rebuilding, mold remediation, mental health support, economic development, and financial and legal counseling. Donors interested in making a contribution can visit the Fund online at www.SandyNJReliefFund.org or make an immediate, one-time $10 donation directly to their phone bill by texting “SANDY” to 20222. Message and data rates may apply.

“Hi my name is Chimere and I have 3 kids. Just a year ago things were very hard for me. I tried as a Mother to be the best Mother for my kids. I also was receiving General Assistance through the struggle. I wanted to attend Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) classes which would cost $1300. I was asking around to see if I could get help with the payment, and with someone’s help within 2 days I had a sponsor and the sponsor was Mrs. Helene Pierson from Heart of Camden.

During my struggle I was living in a house where the landlord did not want to fix anything. Mold was growing through the whole house. I finished the CNA classes and as of Nov. 7, 2012. It’s been a year for me working as a CNA which also helped me to get where I am today in life. I now have a house from the Heart of Camden. When I received the great news that on Oct. 1 I would be moving to a new and improved house from the Heart of Camden, all I could do was thank God for blessing me and my kids with a brand new house.”

We thank Chimere for sharing her family’s story with us and are proud to have been a part of helping her and her children find a safe home to call their own. We wish them all the best!

Affordable housing is not out of reach so long as families are given the tools and opportunity to become successful homeowners. Heart of Camden provides homeownership counseling and guidance through the mortgage process plus support for new homeowners moving into Waterfront South. A strong organization supporting strong homeowners builds a monumental sense of community in the neighborhood. For more information on Heart of Camden, please visit their website: heartofcamden.org

Projects like this one would not be possible without your support. To donate to the JBJ Soul Foundation, please click HERE. Your donation helps to make a difference…one SOUL at a time.