Tag Archives: Affordable Housing

June 11 2024

JBJ Soul Foundation and New England Patriots Foundation Unite for Veterans: Groundbreaking Ceremony in Tewksbury, MA

November 11, 2022 – It was announced that the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has partnered with the New England Patriots Foundation, in a joint match grant in support of the build for Soldier On’s Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community, located in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Soldier On is dedicated to providing and coordinating an extensive continuum of housing and support services for veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.

SOLDIER ON HOLD GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR PERMANENT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR AT-RISK AND HOMELESS VETERANS

TEWKSBURY, MA (July 13, 2023) – Elected officials, community partners, and supporters gathered in the Town Common to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Gordon H. Mansfield Veteran Community.

TEWKSBURY, MA (June 2024) Soldier On is beginning to accept applications for apartments at the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community. Throughout the summer, Soldier On will be scheduling informational and application sessions to provide more details and assist applicants in the process.

TEWKSBURY, MA (December 2024) We are projected to start moving veterans into their new homes at the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community by December 2024.

Soldier On, based in Pittsfield, MA, is dedicated to providing and coordinating an extensive continuum of housing and support services for veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. The project, the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community, will be the organization’s eighth permanent housing facility for veterans since it was founded in 1994.

The community is named for the late Gordon H. Mansfield, a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran who served as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as well as Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equality Opportunity at the Department of Housing & Urban Development. During his military service, Mansfield earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Soldier On became the development lead for this project at the invitation of Tewksbury Home Build, a local housing nonprofit that gained control of the site through a town-supported process of creating affordable housing. The development is located at 1660 Main Street, adjacent to Heatherwood Gracious Retirement Living. The new four-story,18,565 sq. ft. building will provide 21 units of affordable permanent supportive housing for veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. All units will be fully furnished and include internet, cable, utilities and one meal per day. The facility will have a “Let’s Talk Interactive” telehealth kiosk and transportation provided to bring residents to appointments. Each veteran will have a case manager to ensure they receive the wrap around services they need.

About Soldier On
Soldier On is a private, nonprofit organization committed to ending veteran homelessness. Soldier On was organized in 1994 to provide a continuum of programs to ensure that homeless veterans and their families have access to immediate and long-term housing with an array of support services delivered directly to them where they live. The ultimate goal is to provide formerly homeless and at-risk veterans with permanent, supportive, sustainable housing. For more information, visit www.wesoldieron.org.

About The New England Patriots Foundation
Robert Kraft established the New England Patriots Foundation in 1994 as a way to give back to the communities the Patriots call home. The mission of the foundation is to aid individuals and families that are often marginalized in today’s society. Through the implementation of year-round programming and support of philanthropic agencies, the foundation is building stronger communities throughout New England. For more information about the New England Patriots Foundation, visit www.patriots.com/community.

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December 7 2021

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation To Help Provide Housing For Homeless Veterans

Rock Legend’s Latest Grant Will Support American Legion’s Veterans Center of Hoboken

HOBOKEN, NJ, (July 12, 2021) American Legion Post 107 and Hoboken Councilman Phil Cohen today announced that the Post’s nonprofit Veterans Center of Hoboken has received a generous match grant of $100,000 from the JBJ Soul Foundation, founded by Jon Bon Jovi, as the Post creates new housing and supportive services to provide homeless veterans with a place of their own.

“We know that even one homeless veteran living on the streets is one too many,” said Commander John P. Carey of Post 107. “They are heroes who served our country and sacrificed, and now need a helping hand. We are grateful to the JBJ Soul Foundation for such a generous grant, which will help make the vision of an expanded Veterans Center a reality.”

“JBJ Soul Foundation is dedicated to continuing our work with veterans, addressing issues of hunger and homelessness, and we are all inspired by the Veterans Center of Hoboken,” said Jon Bon Jovi. “The Center is not only expanding with 18 additional furnished housing units, but is also providing services including physical and mental health care and employment opportunities for these struggling veterans. This is exactly the kind of mission and positive impact the Foundation is proud to support.”

Architecture rendering of Veterans Center of Hoboken Phase II

Hoboken Councilman Phil Cohen thanked the JBJ Soul Foundation for partnering with American Legion Post 107 on this extraordinary project, saying “I believe we have a moral duty to ensure the men and women who honorably served our country have a roof over their heads and receive the critical support services they deserve after all they have given our nation.”

Beginning today, donations from individuals, civic groups, small businesses, and corporations will be matched dollar for dollar until the challenge grant is fulfilled. Gifts from $25 to $25,000 are eligible. To Support the Veterans Center of Hoboken, visit Hobokenlegion.org/give or mail a check (made payable to Veterans Center of Hoboken) to 308 2nd Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030.

After its Hoboken headquarters was demolished by Superstorm Sandy in 2012, American Legion Post 107 rebuilt a flood-resistant facility that includes six units of affordable housing for homeless veterans. By adding 18 units, the Veterans Center will be poised to substantially, permanently reduce veteran homelessness in Hudson County. For more than a century the Post has been serving those who served their country.

UPDATE: JBJ Soul Foundation is proud to share that our match has been met and we are thankful for the support of this project. On December 7, 2021, the JBJSF presented a grant for $100,000 at the groundbreaking ceremony held by the American Legion Post 107.

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November 16 2021

JBJ Soul Foundation Joins Project HOME to Celebrate Groundbreaking of New Long-Term Recovery Residence in Kensington

Project HOME announced the groundbreaking of its 21^st and newest affordable residence in Kensington at a groundbreaking celebration held on Monday, November 15, 2021. The residence, located at 100 E. Lehigh Avenue, provides 62 new homes to men and women. It offers safe, recovery-focused housing designed to empower adults to break the cycle of chronic street homelessness, while addressing the impact of mental illness and substance use disorders.

“Project HOME has developed a model that pairs housing with the critical supports of education, healthcare, and employment all of which is much needed in Kensington,” said Sister Mary Scullion, Project HOME Co-founder and Executive Director. “This building represents a loving, supportive refuge for the Kensington community and a commitment from those who support it that we recognize the need, and we’re here address it along with our incredible partners.”

Two of the current funding partners on this project are John and Leigh Middleton (MPOWER) and the Jon Bon Jovi (JBJ) Soul Foundation. MPOWER leverages the support of both public and private funders. The JBJ Soul Foundation has been a leader on many of Project HOME’s endeavors and is proud to be a part of this one.

JBJSF Board Members at Kensington Groundbreaking

“It is a pivotal moment for the JBJ Soul Foundation to join this groundbreaking in Kensington, with partners who continue to help those experiencing street homelessness,” says Jon Bon Jovi, Board Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “We are so proud to continue our long time support of Project HOME in this new endeavor, which will provide much needed safe housing and impactful services to the residents of this community and we invite you all to join us in this work.”

Kensington Long-Term Recovery residents are linked to medical and behavioral health services and substance use and recovery services, as needed. All residents are also eligible to receive employment and education services through Project HOME’s Adult Learning and Employment Department.

This is the ninth project of MPOWER, a unique partnership model drawing on a powerful network of people and ideas that multiplies Project HOME’s impact in five key areas: investments, relationships, resources, advocacy, and evidence.

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November 15 2019

JBJ Soul Foundation Celebrates Groundbreaking of HABCORE Expansion Project In Red Bank

Red Bank, N.J., (November 15, 2019) – Today HABCORE broke ground on a 4-unit expansion project on River Street in Red Bank. Funds have been donated by generous community individuals as well as New Jersey Natural Gas, the Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ National Housing Trust Fund, and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

HABCORE is a nonprofit organization in Red Bank, NJ that provides permanent housing and supportive services to homeless veterans, families and individuals with special needs in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Its mission is to provide permanent housing and individualized support, helping homeless families, veterans, and individuals with special needs move through crisis to stability, giving them the opportunity to improve their lives.

This is the first time the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has donated to permanent housing for the formerly homeless in Monmouth County. “The River Street project presented a unique opportunity for the Foundation to help realize our two-fold mission of ending the cycle of homelessness and hunger in the Red Bank community,” said Heather Goldfarb, Executive Director of JBJ Soul Foundation. “We are pleased to partner with HABCORE to provide affordable housing to those in need, while continuing our support in the community through JBJ Soul Kitchen and JBJ & PBC Hope & Comfort Warming Center, all within walking distance of one another.”

Housing in Monmouth and Ocean counties is scarce and unaffordable for many. In 1988 HABCORE was formed to house the homeless when three Red Bank men froze to death on the streets of Red Bank during a harsh winter. The agency was named HABCORE in the memory of those men whose initials began with H, A, and B. Over the past 31 years HABCORE has continued to meet the needs of the previously homeless in both congregate and independent living settings.

HABCORE now has 300 residents living across Monmouth and Ocean counties including 60 families with 100 children. Residents represent a formerly homeless population of very-low-income families, veterans, and individuals with special needs.

HABCORE’s goal is to grow continuously to meet the needs of the 665 estimated homeless in the Monmouth-Ocean region. “This generosity enables HABCORE to increase the number of affordable, supportive units in Red Bank by building onto the existing 100-year-old duplex which we’ve owned since 1992,” said Steve Heisman, Executive Director. “We have a distinguished track record for expanding services to meet the rising need for housing while continuously improving support to residents.”

As part of HABCORE’s Independent Living Program, the residents will receive supportive services, such as training in job acquisition skills and financial literacy.

Approved unanimously by the Red Bank Zoning Board of Adjustment, the project will make the first floor units wheel chair accessible with a motorized lift on the front of the property. A laundry room will be added in a breezeway connecting the older structure with the new addition, and a fire suppression system will be installed to serve both structures. All construction will be energy efficient.

Rendering of HABCORE’s River Street Project

Elected officials whose districts represent HABCORE’s service area praise its programs and the vital need it addresses:

“HABCORE is a true leader in our Monmouth County community,” said Senator Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch). “So many New Jersey families have been touched by their dedicated efforts, and this funding will allow HABCORE ore to continue to aid more households in need. Thank you to all of the staff, volunteers, and supporters who make HABcore’s mission possible.”

“When addressing homelessness, housing has to be the first part of any solution,” said Assemblywoman Joann Downey (D-Freehold), who chairs the Human Services Committee in the State Assembly. “We’re grateful to HABCORE for all of their efforts to support underserved families, and will continue to do all we can to make sure that they can continue this critical work.”

“Our communities are better off because of HABCORE’s contributions,” said Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (D-Neptune). “This funding for their efforts in Red Bank is a clear statement that New Jersey will continue to prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable residents, and I look forward to seeing how HABCORE core will use this funding to serve local families.”

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April 24 2019

Project HOME Raises More Than $10 Million at 30th Anniversary Gala

Donations, including landmark gift from Lynne and Harold Honickman, will support work to end and prevent homelessness in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA (April 17, 2019)—Project HOME announced today that it raised a total of $10 million at its 30th Anniversary Gala at the Marriott Downtown Philadelphia on April 16, 2019. Attendees and committed citizens donated $3.5 million leading up to the gala. During the event, more than 1,400 civic and business leaders, philanthropists, and young adults had the opportunity to make additional gifts to Project HOME in multiples of 30, with Jon Bon Jovi providing a $300,000 gift from the JBJ Soul Foundation. Lynne and Harold Honickman, who were honored with a lifetime achievement award during the gala, committed an additional $6 million to help Project HOME reach the $10 million mark.

“When Project HOME began 30 years ago, we couldn’t have imagined the impact it would have thanks to the support of so many generous and visionary individuals,” said Sister Mary Scullion, Project HOME co-founder and Executive Director. “We have ambitious plans for the funds we raised that will address the needs and challenges of individuals and families struggling with homelessness, poverty, mental health issues, and substance use disorder. We’re grateful to the entire Project HOME community for their commitment and wish to extend a special thank you to Lynne and Harold Honickman for their ongoing leadership and support.”

During the gala, Sister Mary and Joan Dawson McConnon laid out a five-year plan focused on three core areas – increasing and preserving housing, expanding education and workforce development programs, and expanding outreach for chronically street homeless individuals. The event also included a presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Lynne and Harold Honickman honoring their legacy of support for Project HOME, which includes the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs in North Philadelphia. The gala was chaired by Marjorie and Jeffrey Honickman with honorary Co-Chairs Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi.

“To be surrounded at the gala by so many people in a shared community with a shared vision was electrifying,” said Lynne Honickman. “We’re proud to support Project HOME’s efforts to provide housing, education and other necessities for a meaningful life and believe deeply in Sister Mary and Project HOME’s credo – ‘None of us are home until all of us are home.’”

“One of the most important lessons of the last three decades is that no one person can do this alone,’ said Jon Bon Jovi. “The mission of ending homelessness and ensuring that everyone has a place to live…it takes everyone and what I like to call, “The Power of We’.”

Support for the Project HOME 30th Anniversary Gala and the organization’s ongoing work was provided by Bank of America, Susan and George Connell, Sheila and John Connors, Pam Estadt and Ira Lubert, Deborah M. Fretz, Janet and John Haas, Shirley and Richard Hahn, Joan and Daniel Hilferty, Lynne and Harold Honickman, Marjorie and Jeffrey Honickman, Independence Foundation, Liz and Matthew Kamens, Caroline and Sidney Kimmel, Maguire Foundation, Leigh and John Middleton, Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer and Joseph Neubauer, Linda Richardson and Steven Korman, Aileen and Brian Roberts, A. Morris Williams, Jr., and so many other generous people and organizations.

About MPOWER
MPOWER is a Project HOME Community Investment Partnership drawing on a powerful network of people and ideas that multiplies Project HOME’s impact in five key areas: investments, relationships, resources, advocacy, and evidence. In just five years, the partnership’s impact multiplier model has leveraged $25 million into $250 million which has helped to provide services to more than 15,000 people, including ending chronic street homelessness for more than 1,000 people.