Today homeless advocate Jon Bon Jovi, Cardinal Justin Rigali, Sr. Mary Scullion and Brian Hudson, joined two of Philly’s leading homeless organizations, Project Home and Bethesda Project, to announce a unique joint venture to develop a Leed-Certified, affordable housing facility in Center City. The building behind them will be torn down, and the new building will rise in it’s place.
Jon Bon Jovi is helping to build affordable housing in Philadelphia, New Orleans and his home state of New Jersey through his Philadelphia Soul Foundation.
“And every step I take, I know that I’m not alone
You take the home from the boy, but not the boy from his home
These are my streets, the only life I’ve ever known
Who says you can’t go home”
Rock star Jon Bon Jovi is introduced by the 2009 recipient of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Sr. Mary Scullion.
Bethesda Project with Project H.O.M.E. will break ground in July on an eight story, 79 unit $25 million building at 13th and Market Streets for formerly homeless men and women. The building will feature a multi-purpose room, a laundry room, an exercise room, kitchen’s, offices, storage, lobby. It will also hold the St. John Parish offices. Environmental components include a green roof, highly insulated walls, a rainwater collection system, high-efficiency mechanical systems and lighting.
Bethesda Project is one of the oldest and largest homeless services organizations in Philadelphia. Established 30 years ago, its services have grown with the homeless population. The organization provides shelters, transitional and permanent housing. Its mission is “To find and care for the abandoned poor and be family with those who have none.”
The groups Project HOME and Bethesda Project are working in partnership for the first time on the project. It’s going to be called it’s going to be called St. John the Evangelist House, in honor of the founder of Connelly Containers, John and Josephine Connelly, who made their fortune in manufacturing right here in Philadelphia. In 1955 John and Josephine Connelly chose to share their good fortune by establishing the Connelly Foundation with the simple but clear purpose of providing charitable grants to organizations seeking to enhance the quality of life in the Delaware Valley. Over the years the Foundation has been very generous to Project Home, and that is an understatement Sr Mary Scullion says.
(note to my readers, these are not the best photos as I save them to send out to the wireservices especially since I didn’t have the tools to water mark them. Sorry the last photo is so dark)
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THE BUILDING BOOM CONTINUES IN CENTER CITY with the help of Jon Bon Jovi, Project Home and the Bethesda Project
6 replies on “THE BUILDING BOOM CONTINUES IN CENTER CITY with the help of Jon Bon Jovi, Project Home and the Bethesda Project”
Bon Jovi is the best. But I don't know why he comes to Philly all the time instead of NY where he grew up.
Blanket
Uh, he grew up in NJ, not NY.
Uh, he grew up in Jersey, not NY.
This is a much needed facility in center city.
Jon loves Philly because I live here…lol. No seriously, he has commented in the past that he loves Philly. It is a great sports town….we LOVE our sports teams! I'm sure his ownership of the Philadelphia Soul has a lot to do with it. He has many friends in the area…take Obie for example. Richie Sambora has in the past couple of years bought a condo here. Also, don't forget that we have the best food here. Most of all, Philly has THE BEST Bon Jovi fans and we always give the guys a warm welcome!!!! We make him feel at home here and in turn, he builds homes for people that need them the most. Love you, Jon and thanks for all your help with building up our great city!!!!
Who cares where Bon Jovi grew up? The important thing is that he's helping Philadelphia.