Bon Jovi Video Unplugged for Avon courtesy of YouTube
Our favorite singer and the new face of Avon's holiday perfumes called Unplugged, Jon Bon Jovi was in Philadelphia today to cut the ribbon on a new low income housing project that will have homes that are targeted to low income families or individuals who were previously homeless. The project, to be known as JBJ Soul Homes is a collaboration between Project HOME and the Greater Exodus Baptist Church, and it will be partially funded by rocker Jon Bon Jovi.
Bon Jovi was quoted as saying "We live in a time when we can't rely on just the government or the private sector alone. But these collaborations are so important, especially when the country is so polarized."
The project is part of the revival of the North Broad Street corridor and will inject a $16 million dollar rental housing development combined with locations for businesses.
The Greater Exodus Baptist Church started purchasing derelict houses in the area where Ridge and Fairmont Avenues cross Broad Street. In ten years members spent over $600,000 acquiring derelict homes on a 1.8 acre of space.
While developers have been changing old offices or factories into fancy lofts apartments, Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon from Project HOME convinced Rev. Lusk and his Baptist congregation to join them in developing housing for the homeless and poor.
40 of the 55 affordable rental units in this low rise building will be set aside for homeless individuals. An affiliate of Greater Exodus will operate retail businesses as not for profit ventures on the ground floor of the building.
Funding for the JBJ Soul Homes was provided from multiple public and private individuals and foundations, key amongst them Bon Jovi's foundation and the Middleton family of Philadelphia. John and Leigh Middleton donated $15 million to Project HOME to attempt to eliminate homelessness in the city of Philadelphia. The Middletons have also supported other housing projects in Philadelphia and are key supporters of Project HOME.
Mayor Nutter, the Middleton family, and Jon Bon Jovi may make the city of Philadelphia the first major city to end homelessness due to their outreach and housing programs.
Middleton is a limited partner in the Philadelphia Phillies. Middleton and his wife are active in the city of Philadelphia's attempt to find affordable housing for the homeless of the city and are attempting to end homelessness in the city of Brotherly Love.
It is believed that approximately 600 people live on the streets in the city of Philadelphia, with another 3,000 surviving by living in local shelters. Many of the shelters are operated by Sister Scullion JBJ Soul Homes will help make a dent in those numbers when it opens next fall.
Bon Jovi is well known for partnering with other philanthropic organizations and companies involved in philanthropic efforts, one of which is the direct sales company, Avon. So the next time you are thinking of buying cologne, think Avon, think Bon Jovi(and his cologne, Unplugged), think saving the homeless.
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