Jon Bon Jovi Has United Habitat For Humanity, Project HOME in Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, and Saturn \u2013 Together They Will Renovate 15 Decaying Homes In One of Philly\u2019s Most In-Need Neighborhoods<\/p>\n
Habitat For Humanity Announces That Jon Bon Jovi Will Become Their First Ever Habitat Ambassador<\/p>\n
(Philadelphia, PA \u2013 October 5, 2006) \u2013 Standing in front of a block of vacant homes in North Philadelphia, Jon Bon Jovi today announced Project HOME\u2019s Phase V Homeownership Project<\/b> \u2013 a unique partnership that he has brokered between Project HOME<\/b>, Habitat For Humanity<\/b>, the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation<\/b>, and Saturn<\/b> that will undertake the renovation of 15 row houses in one of Philadelphia\u2019s most poverty-ridden neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
President Bill Clinton<\/b> attended, commending Jon Bon Jovi\u2019s continued philanthropic efforts, the work of both Project HOME and Habitat For Humanity in the communities they serve, and companies such as Saturn who make community outreach a priority.<\/p>\n
The Phase V Homeownership Project focuses on two blocks of historically significant, deteriorated row houses in North Central Philadelphia \u2013 the 1800 and 1900 blocks of North 23rd St. By employing \u201cgreen building strategies,\u201d Phase V will renovate existing structures into energy efficient homes containing Energy Star-rated appliances. In addition, reducing block density and developing side yards in the area are all significant steps in promoting long-term health, safety, and affordability for owners.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thrilled to partner with Jon Bon Jovi, The Philadelphia Soul, Habitat and Saturn,\u201d enthused Sister Mary Scullion<\/b>, co-founder of Project HOME. \u201cOur collective talent and resources will expand our capacity and enable us to reach out to more families in need. This is another critical step forward for community revitalization in North Philadelphia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jon Bon Jovi \u2013 singer, songwriter, co-owner of the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football Team, actor and philanthropist \u2013 has had a relationship with Project HOME, whose efforts align with many of Habitat for Humanity\u2019s own initiatives. Bon Jovi worked with Habitat last October (2005) when a Bon Jovi\/Habitat For Humanity build of four homes in Philadelphia (which has since increased to six) served as the video shoot location for their chart-topping single, \u201cWho Says You Can\u2019t Go Home.\u201d In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Bon Jovi would later make an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show with a surprise $1 million donation that has since been used by Oprah\u2019s Angel Network and Habitat For Humanity to build 28 homes in Houma, Louisiana. Now, with plans for the 15 Phase V homes in place, Jon Bon Jovi is currently a motivating force behind a total of 49 homes being built for low-income families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese organizations have both made \u2018home ownership through hard work\u2019 a reality,\u201d explained Jon Bon Jovi<\/b>. \u201cIn working with Habitat and Project HOME, I\u2019ve seen what a miraculous thing it is to hand someone the keys to a new home \u2013 not only a beautiful home that they can be proud to own, but a home that they\u2019ve invested their own time, sweat, and resources in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Habitat For Humanity will assist with the development of Phase V and will spearhead the next phase of new homes (Phase VI). \u201cHabitat for Humanity is proud to be a part of this partnership and join Project HOME in providing decent housing in partnership with low-income families in Philadelphia,\u201d said Jonathan Reckford, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity International<\/b>. \u201cWe are also proud today to recognize Jon Bon Jovi as the first Habitat Ambassador of our newly created Habitat for Humanity Ambassador program.\u201d<\/p>\n
Project Home\u2019s Phase V project represents an innovative public\/private partnership with funds coming in from both sectors. While Sister Mary\u2019s committed staff has worked tirelessly to secure public funding, it was the organization\u2019s long-standing relationship with Jon Bon Jovi that made securing private funding a possibility. Saturn \u2013 who has worked closely with Bon Jovi on other initiatives \u2013 stepped up to round out the private sector financing needed to get Phase V off the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince its inception, Saturn has embraced environmental commitment and giving back to the communities in which we do business,\u201d said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn General Manager<\/b>. \u201cThat\u2019s why Saturn, along with its retailers and customers, are pleased to partner with Jon Bon Jovi, the Philadelphia Soul, Habitat for Humanity, and Project HOME to help construct eco-friendly homes for citizens of Philadelphia.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Phase V Homeownership Project is the continuation of Project HOME\u2019s goal to revitalize their community by reducing blight and treating vacant properties one block at a time. Project HOME has led other initiatives in the area to empower inhabitants with a sense of responsibility and community with each other. These efforts include open-space\/environmental enhancement, a community health service program, after-school and adult learning programs at the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs, and economic development along Ridge Avenue.<\/p>\n
ABOUT PROJECT HOME:<\/b>
\nSince 1989, Project H.O.M.E. has helped more than 7,000 people break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by providing a continuum of care that includes street outreach, supportive housing and comprehensive services that focus on health care, education and employment. We also work to prevent homelessness and poverty through comprehensive neighborhood revitalization in North Philadelphia. These efforts include the renovation of vacant or deteriorated houses which are then sold to first-time homebuyers, economic reinvestment along the Ridge Avenue Corridor, greening of vacant lots, adult and youth education and enrichment programs at the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs and community-based health care services. For more information go to www.projecthome.org<\/p>\n
ABOUT JON BON JOVI:<\/b>
\nMusician, singer, songwriter and actor, JON BON JOVI is most recognizable as the voice for the band BON JOVI. Since the group\u2019s formation in the early 1980\u2019s, BON JOVI has sold more than 100 MILLION records worldwide and at over 2,700 shows in 47 countries more than 32 million fans have seen BON JOVI in concert. The band\u2019s latest album,<\/p>\n
HAVE A NICE DAY, includes the smash hit \u201cWho Says You Can\u2019t Go Home\u201d which made history as Bon Jovi became the first rock band ever to have a #1 hit on the country chart. The tour that followed was one of the top grossing tours of 2005\/2006, playing to more than 2 million concert-goers worldwide. As the co-owner of the AFL\u2019s Philadelphia Soul, Jon Bon Jovi introduced a new model of sports ownership. From the inception of the franchise, the mission was to use the team to give back to the local community. Heading into their fourth season, the Philadelphia Soul Organization has given away $2 million to local causes. Bon Jovi\u2019s charitable works focus on the issue of homelessness and include the creation of the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation; the launch of a limited edition outerwear collection with Kenneth Cole New York (with proceeds benefiting HELP USA); partnering with Project HOME in Philadelphia; and a sustained partnership with Habitat for Humanity that has thus far provided 49 families with a place to call home. For more info visit www.bonjovi.com and www.philadelphiasoul.com<\/p>\n
ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL:<\/b>
\nHabitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in Americus, GA in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org<\/p>\n
ABOUT GM:<\/b>
\nGeneral Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world\u2019s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world\u2019s leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential, and commercial financing and insurance. GM\u2019s OnStarr subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security, and information services. More information can be found at www.gm.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PRESIDENT CLINTON JOINS JON BON JOVI AS THE ROCK ICON REVEALS A NEW MODEL OF PHILANTHROPY THAT UNITES GLOBAL & LOCAL CHARITIES & CORPORATE AMERICA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[23,8,51,13],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n