\u201cToday we prove once again that we are committed to Camden,\u201d Bon Jovi said on the day he toured the shelter, called Joseph\u2019s House. \u201cToday we have an opportunity to see what was, just a year ago, a vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the past four years, Bon Jovi has brought to life a number of once-envisioned programs. He started small, initially working with a project called Camden GreenUP, which rehabbed vacant lots, turning them from dilapidated eyesores to green landscapes. The Jon Bon Jovi Foundation, headquartered in Philadelphia, gave a $50,000 matching donation for the improvement of the first 81 lots.<\/p>\n
\u201cBon Jovi\u2019s initial support kick-started that program,\u201d says Jake Gordon, executive director of the Camden Special Services District, which manages GreenUP. \u201cAfter working on those first lots, we were able to receive a federal grant to do more.\u201d To date, 200 lots have been transformed.<\/p>\n
Because a large part of the JBJ Foundation\u2019s mission addresses housing issues, it was a natural progression for the musician to turn his attention to Heart of Camden, a nonprofit that has rehabbed more than 225 homes since its inception in 1985. The renovated homes \u2013 complete with new plumbing, heating and electric \u2013 are eventually sold to Camden residents at an affordable price.<\/p>\n
The Foundation gave Heart of Camden a $262,000 grant, which helped them build nine homes. A year later, Heart of Camden honored Bon Jovi with its \u201cSmall Things with Great Love\u201d award, honoring him at their annual gala in Cherry Hill, which he attended. (The sold-out gala raised an additional $300,000.)<\/p>\n
\u201cJon Bon Jovi\u2019s work, his spirit and the mission of his foundation is sincerely to help the homeless and the families of Camden, and to rebuild neighborhoods,\u201d says Helene Pierson, former executive director of Heart of Camden who was with Bon Jovi during that first visit to Camden. \u201cHe\u2019s passionate about his work. It isn\u2019t about throwing money at something and never being a part of it. It\u2019s about being part of something.\u201d<\/p>\n
The foundation also gave a grant for $58,000 to Hopeworks \u2019N Camden, an organization that teaches Camden youth career skills like web design and video production. The grant money was dedicated to the nonprofit\u2019s construction of a community home for 10 young adults. Bon Jovi and his wife spent time with the young people at Hopeworks, answering questions and offering advice. The rocker talked about working hard to get what you want, mentioning how he continues to practice playing guitar every day.<\/p>\n
Then earlier this year, Bon Jovi designated a $200,000 grant to partially fund the purchase and renovation of the new Joseph\u2019s House, a project that will cost a little more than $1.1 million. Sitting just off Route 676 on Atlantic Avenue in Camden, the building was acquired in August and renovations began soon after. The fenced-in property will house a kitchen, recreation room and space to provide emergency shelter for up to 75 people. The facility opened this month.<\/p>\n
Joseph\u2019s House had been operating at a nearby property on Church Street, providing overnight shelter to 40 people. Because of low funding, it only opened during winter months. (In fact, Bon Jovi posted a birthday wish on his website in the spring of 2011 asking for donations so the shelter could remain open while a harsh winter ended. He got his wish.) Those running the original location say they weren\u2019t able to provide a \u201cdignified overnight stay\u201d because people had to sleep on the floor. In the new shelter, residents will have cots to sleep on.<\/p>\n