Jon Bon Jovi: Rocker extraordinaire and advocate for the homeless

In keeping with today’s homeless theme, I choose a celebrity that is well-known for helping the homeless in his hometown. Danny’s Grace is more about child abuse than homelessness, but the subject is touched on in one or two chapters of the book. There are hundreds of thousands of people going homeless in the United States today, so it is an important subject to confront. In Danny’s Grace, the homelessness takes place on the streets of Los Angeles. Jon Bon Jovi’s story starts in New Jersey.

Jon Bon Jovi offers real hope for the homeless

John Bon Jovi set up the JBJ Soul Foundation to help people in the United States who have become homeless and/or hungry. The foundation covers a wide array of areas that help with each problem. It is one of the most impressive homeless foundations that I have come across and deserves as much attention as possible. Instead of simply handing out meals, the foundation allows people to earn meals so that everyone contributes in some way.

Bon Jovi explains the restaurant concept

The Soul Kitchen is a restaurant setting with an unusual twist. Everyone is welcome to eat at the establishment. The cost of a single meal is $10 for those who can afford it. The money is then turned back over into the program to help provide the free meals that some people are in need of. The meals are not free for those who do not pay though. People who are unable to pay can work for their meals and there are several volunteer positions available to fill the need. No one is ever turned away and no reservations are necessary.

Jon Bon Jovi talks about how WE work together to end homelessness

Soul Homes is another project that is currently in the works. The project will provide affordable homes for low income people and the formerly homeless and will be located in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Resources will be made available to those who move into the new apartments. This project will enable people to get a fresh start so that they can live a more productive life.

Why is Bon Jovi’s foundation one to look at as an excellent example of real help? The foundation offers something that a free hand out does not. It offers hope for the future instead of the immediate. Although the restaurant is an immediate help to those seeking it, it also requires that the person be willing to work for their food. That’s hope and it will be there for a very long time to come.

Celebrities who use their power and money to help others are not uncommon. Some of those celebrities shine far more brightly at it than others do though. Bon Jovi is one of them and our hats are off to him and his organization for a fabulous program that actually helps eradicate hunger and homelessness.