Category Archives: New Jersey

December 2 2011

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation Honored at Heart of Camden Gala

Please visit our Photo Gallery to see images from the Gala.

Watch Jon Bon Jovi’s interview with ABC Action News:

Bon Jovi earns honor for effort to aid Camden

Written By: Joe Cooney, Courier-Post Staff

CHERRY HILL — Rocker Jon Bon Jovi came to town Friday night to accept the “Small Things, Great Love” Award at the second annual Heart of Camden Gala. And during his remarks — contrary to the egotistical image one might conjure of an international superstar — the New Jersey native barely used the pronoun “I.”

“We are big believers in the power of we,” said the singer, founder of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. “Tonight we’re here to shine a light. We’re coming together to take control and make a difference.

“Government can’t do it alone. Residents or rock stars can’t do it alone. This award is not about me, it’s about us.”

The musician’s philanthropic efforts in the Delaware Valley began in 2006 when he helped support the construction of nearly 300 affordable housing units in Philadelphia.

In 2009, he turned his attention to Camden, and in the last two years his foundation has helped to clean up vacant lots, provide shelter for the homeless and — with a $262,000 grant to Heart of Camden — build nine homes in the Waterfront South area.

Heart of Camden Executive Director Helen Pierson said, “Jon Bon Jovi’s work, his spirit and the mission of his foundation is to help the families of Camden. He’s trying to give people better lives. And that fits the mission of the award.”

The award takes its names from the words of the late missionary Mother Teresa, who said, “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

The inspiration for the Heart of Camden Gala, said event co-chair Ann Baiada, was the “20/20” segment on Camden hosted by Diane Sawyer that aired in 2007.

“(Sawyer) mirrored the lives of kids in Moorestown with the kids in Camden,” said Baiada. “And I felt bad because we live in Moorestown. We had to do something. We finally met with Monsignor (Michael) Doyle and he told us, ‘just think of the children.’”

Doyle is the longtime pastor at Camden’s Sacred Heart Church, which started Heart of Camden in 1984.

“So last year we had our first gala and we honored Msgr. Doyle,” Baiada continued, noting that the $175 tickets to the event sold out quickly.

“We could have sold 1,000 tickets,” she said of the event held at the Crowne Plaza on Route 70. “But we had to cut it to 675. We hope to raise more than $200,000 this year. Jon has a good heart and he’s done a lot for New Jersey and he took a great interest in Camden because he believes in the same things we do: building homes; helping the homeless; and making neighborhoods safe.”

Camden Mayor Dana Redd introduced the rock star, saying that she had the privilege of being blessed by Mother Teresa when the nun visited the city in 1976.

“Tonight is about the city of Camden and her people. We have a great partner in the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a strong partner in providing hope to our residents,” said Redd.

Invoking the prayer before the meal, Doyle referred to a couple of Bon Jovi song titles.

“God bless Jon Bon Jovi,” said the Irish cleric. “Help us continue ‘Living on a Prayer’ for Camden. And, oh, God, make sure ‘It’s All Right.’”

Bon Jovi, who declined to speak with the press, ended his remarks by saying, “When we were working in Philadelphia we learned a lot and were taught the difference between giving somebody a hand up and not a handout. Now, we’re committed to turning Camden around for the next generation.”

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November 3 2011

Jon Bon Jovi To Attend Heart of Camden Gala

The gala will take place on December 2, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill.

Monsignor Michael J. Doyle was the recipient of the “Small Things Great Love” award last year which recognizes the powerful impact of extending a helping hand to those in need and acknowledges the difference seemingly small things can make in a person’s life. The work of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation in Camden is in keeping with this theme and focuses on the importance of helping the community, “one soul at a time.”

Jon Bon Jovi’s interest in Camden began in early 2000 when he became acutely aware of the city’s needs and pledged the help of his Foundation to assist with a variety of projects throughout the city. Projects included building a house for young adults in north Camden, rehabilitating houses in the east and south sections of the city and cleaning up blighted lots in the center of the city, all with the goal of providing decent housing and improving the lives of the people of Camden.

According to Helene Pierson Executive Director of The Heart of Camden, Inc., the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation arrived in Camden at a critical time. “The economy was spiraling downward and the need for family support and housing in particular, was at an all-time high,” she said. “We couldn’t be more pleased that Jon will attend our event and allow us to recognize the outstanding work done by his Foundation,” Pierson added.

Last year’s gala raised $200,000 in support of the Community Center/Gymnasium in South Camden which will open in early December.

We appreciate the honor to accept this award and are pleased to announce that the Heart of Camden Gala is now SOLD OUT.

Jon Bon Jovi is on the cover of SJ Magazine this month! Be sure to check out the article as he discusses our involvement in Camden and the inspiring work done by our community partners.

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October 19 2011

THE JON BON JOVI SOUL FOUNDATION CELEBRATES OPENING OF THE SOUL KITCHEN IN RED BANK, NJ ON OCTOBER 19

Joined by local dignitaries, individuals and partnering local non-profit organizations, Jon thanked the Kitchen’s “friends and neighbors” who have assisted in the two-year endeavor to open the permanent location – among them Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna, former Mayor Ed McKenna and the President of the Parker Family Health Center, Dr. Eugene Cheslock.

The JBJ Soul Kitchen began serving meals in 2009, utilizing two different pilot locations and assessing the patrons’ needs and response to the model, before renovating an old 1,100 square foot auto-body shop as the Kitchen’s new, permanent location.

“At a time when 1 in 5 households are living at or below the poverty level, and at a time when 1 out of 6 Americans are food insecure, this is a restaurant whose time has come. This is a place based on and built on community – by and for the community,” said Jon Bon Jovi today.

Inspired by the old adage, “teach a man to fish,” diners in need who come to the Soul Kitchen are empowered – they have earned a seat at the table for themselves and their families through volunteer hours at the Kitchen or other local organizations. They are served nutritious culinary dishes by the wait-staff in a lovely restaurant atmosphere with the dignity of having earned their meal. On the other hand, patrons who can afford to dine anywhere are rewarded with not only a delicious meal but with the knowledge that by dining out and leaving the suggested donation, they’ve contributed to their community.

In addition to the Soul Kitchen’s own organic gardens, natural food is being provided by Whole Foods Market Middletown, in partnership with their vendors, many of whom are from New Jersey and the surrounding areas.

By adopting the community kitchen concept, the JBJ Soul Foundation has expanded its efforts – from affordable housing to hunger – as it celebrates its fifth anniversary as a non-profit organization.

HOURS OF OPERATION:
The JBJ Soul Kitchen is currently open from 5-7 Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Address:
207 Monmouth St.
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Reservation line: (732) 842-0900
Learn more: www.jbjsoulkitchen.org

To watch the Live Stream from our JBJ Soul Kitchen Press Conference, please visit the Video section of our website.

JBJ Soul Kitchen on the Today Show (air date: 10/21/2011)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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June 6 2011

MEMBERS OF WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS – JON BON JOVI AND MICHAEL KEMPNER – CONDUCT FINAL YOUTH LISTENING SESSION IN NEWARK, NJ

Monday’s session was hosted at the Youth Education & Employment Success (Ye²s) Centers of New Jersey and attended by the youth they serve. Youth served by other local organizations also participated, including Newark Now, HELP USA, La Casa de Don Pedro and Newark Works (City One-Stop). In New Orleans (4/29), youth attended from local organizations Café Reconcile, Liberty’s Kitchen, Youth Empowerment Project and Tulane Drop In Center. In Atlanta (5/13), youth attended who have been served by the Goodwill Career Center, Chris Kids and Visions Youth Leadership Academy. In Houston (5/16) youth served by SEARCH Homeless Houston, Goodwill Houston, Community in Schools and Gulf Coast Trades Center attended.

The Council’s findings will be compiled in a final report in an effort to highlight solutions and recommendations for the President.

Currently, less than half of young Americans have the education, training and skills needed to compete in today’s workforce by age 25. President Obama established the White House Council to bring all sectors together – individuals, business, community organizations, philanthropy, and government – to identify solutions to pressing issues, help young people succeed, and make lasting progress on our national priorities.

The Council listening tour adds to the White House’s broader effort to engage young people nationwide through youth roundtables. After the roundtables, youth participants can submit their most pressing issues and most inspiring solutions to the White House’s Your Future, Your Solutions: 100 Youth Strategies to Win the Future website at www.whitehouse.gov/youngamericans. This effort enables the administration to hear directly from young people about the challenges they face and connect participants with Obama Administration officials through conference calls, web chats, and other opportunities.

Established in December 2010 by President Obama, the White House Council for Community Solutions will focus on an issue with critical near-term and long-term consequences for our nation’s health and economic strength – the responsibility of our society to ensure adolescents and young adults are prepared to live productive and prosperous lives. The Council is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. More information about the WHCCS can be found at www.serve.gov/council.

****Your Future, Your Solutions: 100 Youth Strategies to Win the Future** is an effort that enables the administration to hear directly from young people about the challenges they face. The initiative connects participants with Obama Administration officials through conference calls, web chats, and other opportunities. For more information go to www.whitehouse.gov/youngamericans.

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April 5 2011

JBJSF Helps Fund Joseph’s House Thanks To Your Support

Joseph’s House, operated by Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society, was originally scheduled to operate through March 31, 2011. Due to Camden’s overwhelming need for an overnight shelter, Joseph’s House wanted to remain open for one more month as the cold weather continued to hit the area. More than just providing a warm place to sleep, staying open an additional month will enable staff to continue to connect clients to the services they need to further stabilize their lives. It will also help Joseph’s House to continue their mission, which is to collaborate with individuals and organizations in providing opportunities for Camden’s growing homeless population to be safe, supported, and empowered to permanently improve their situations and circumstances.

Our Executive Director, Mimi Box, volunteered at Joseph’s House in February and wrote a touching account of her experience. To read her story, please click HERE.

For more information on Joseph’s House and how you can help by volunteering or donating, please click HERE.

Please visit our Joseph’s House Photo Gallery